Sec. 1244. Statement of Congress on defense cooperation with Georgia
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/bill/113/hr/1960/eh/section-1244·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: The Republic of Georgia is a highly valued ally of the United States and has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to advancing the mutual interests of both countries, including the deployment of Georgian forces as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and the Multi-National Force in Iraq. The peaceful transfer of power as the result of the free and fair parliamentary elections in Georgia in October 2012 represents a major accomplishment toward the Georgian people’s creation of a free society and full democracy.
However, since the October 2012 parliamentary elections the new Georgian Government has taken a series of measures against former officials and members of the current political opposition that appear to be motivated by political considerations. Over 100 former Georgian Government officials have been charged with criminal violations since the October 2012 parliamentary elections. Similar charges have been filed against members of the political opposition, including Vano Merabishvili, the Secretary General of the United National Movement.
The arrest of the leader of an opposition party is especially troubling, particularly its chilling effect on political freedom prior to the presidential election scheduled for October 2013. The Georgian Government has taken insufficient action to prevent further violence against members of the United National Movement and to punish offenders. These actions call into question the Georgian Government’s continued progress toward the creation of a free and democratic society in which basic freedoms, including freedom for political opposition, are guaranteed.
Congress declares that— the United States remains committed to assisting the people of Georgia in establishing a free and democratic society in their country; the measures taken by the Georgian Government against former officials and political opponents, apparently in part motivated by political considerations, may have a significant negative impact on cooperation between the United States and Georgia, including efforts to build a stronger relationship in political, economic, and security matters, as well as progress on integrating Georgia into international organizations; the United States must be unambiguous when democratic backsliding occurs in a key ally after a peaceful and democratic transfer of power between political parties; and the people of the United States and the Members of Congress express their deepest condolences to the Georgian people on the tragic loss of seven soldiers of Georgia in a suicide bombing on June 6, 2013, and the deaths of three soldiers killed in another suicide bombing on May 13, 2013, while they were supporting United States and NATO forces in Afghanistan.