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Statement of Chairman Cardin after Meeting with President of Georgia

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Commissioner Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL) today met with President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia.

Chairman Cardin released the following statement after the meeting:

“I enjoyed the opportunity to have a candid discussion with President Saakashvili about democratization and human rights issues in Georgia. We also discussed U.S.-Georgia relations and I assured him that the U.S. Congress supports Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States will not recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“The Helsinki Commission has a long history of monitoring events in Georgia and supporting democratic reforms there. We will watch the upcoming May 30 elections closely as they will be a critical test of Georgia’s democratic development. We hope the vote goes smoothly and fairly, living up to OSCE commitments.”

Official video and photos are available at:
http://www.youtube.com/helsinkicommission || http://www.flickr.com/helsinkicommission

 

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