Madam Speaker, today I rise to introduce the Republic of Georgia Enhanced Trade Assistance, Economic Recovery, and Reconstruction Act of 2008. This bill will provide urgently needed economic and reconstruction assistance to the people of Georgia following Russia’s invasion of that sovereign and independent country last month.
Madam Speaker, the war between Russia and Georgia resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of men, women, and children from the conflict zone in South Ossetia and elsewhere in Georgia. There is credible evidence that at least some villages were hit because they were populated by ethnic Georgians. As we know, people can’t work when they have nowhere to live and their basic needs are not being met. Additionally, the Russians clearly targeted critical components of Georgia’s economic infrastructure for destruction, resulting in the disruption of domestic and regional commerce.
The dire circumstances in the aftermath of the invasion require timely action by the United States and the international community.
As Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation, the body charged by Congress with monitoring human rights throughout Europe and beyond, I am deeply concerned over developments in and around Georgia, a country I have visited on numerous occasions, most recently in January. It pains me that there is a need for the kind of legislation I am introducing today–an urgent measure to aid one OSCE country–Georgia–which is recovering from devastating damage done to its people, economy, infrastructure, and environment by another OSCE country–Russia.
The Helsinki principles were meant to preclude such armed conflict between participating states. Among them were the commitments to refrain from the threat of or use of force to resolve conflicts; and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states. In invading Georgia, Russia has violated these OSCE commitments and I am saddened to be compelled to condemn Russia’s conduct.
Madam Speaker, it is apparent that Russia deliberately sought to cripple Georgia’s economy, wreaking economic hardship and perhaps seeking to foment upheaval. In the process, Russia has sought to degrade key economic and commercial zones in the region, and I’m concerned that the most serious long-term damage could be the loss of confidence in Georgia as a reliable transit point for oil and gas pipelines–currently the only transit point for oil to Europe from central Asia and the Caucasus that does not go through Russia.
This legislation, while it cannot undo all of the damage done to Georgia’s economy and infrastructure, will go far in helping Georgia, a strategic U.S. partner, begin to rebuild its economy and critical infrastructure while helping to create new trade, business, and economic opportunities among key countries in the region.
I welcome the administration’s announcement of a package of U.S. emergency assistance to be provided to Georgia. My legislation seeks to complement these preliminary efforts with the aim of ensuring the kind of sustained assistance the people of Georgia will need in the coming months to rebuild their lives and country.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and ensure its timely passage.
