U.S. Senate Delegation Led by Senator John McCain Sees “Tremendous Progress” in Georgia
On August 26-29, Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Richard Burr (R-NC) and John Sununu (R-NH) completed an extensive tour of Georgia. The Delegation used the three-day visit to review sites and facilities indicative of Georgia’s ongoing democratic, economic and military reforms and to discuss the current state of Georgia’s frozen conflicts and NATO membership effort.
Upon arrival, the Senators were met by Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Nino Burjanadze, with an honor guard at Tbilisi International Airport. The Delegation started and finished its visit in Tbilisi, touring Metechi Church with Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, as well as old town and the Dmanisi archeological exhibition at the National Museum.
The Delegation maintained a brisk schedule, traveling extensively in Central and Western Georgia with stops in Mtskheta, Tskhinvali, Batumi, Kobuleti, Gonio, Senaki, Ushguli and Borjomi. President Saakashvili personally hosted the delegation at many of the sites. In Mtskheta, the Senators attended the President’s opening of a renovated courthouse and police station. At a dinner ceremony in the ancient Black Sea fortress of Gonio, President Saakashvili presented Senator McCain the Order of St. George. Senator McCain is only the second American recipient of the award. President Saakashvili awarded President George W. Bush the Order of St. George during his visit to Tbilisi in May, 2005. The Order of St. George was established by the Georgian Parliament in 2004 to recognize individuals for special service to Georgia.
In Senaki, the Delegation joined President Saakashvili for a tour of Georgia’s new NATO-standard military facility and met with American military trainers to discuss the U.S. sponsored Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (GSSOP). SSOP, which is currently in its second phase, continues to prepare Georgian troops for peace keeping activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. At an end-of-visit press conference, Senator Sununu commented that “We were very proud to see the [Georgian] service members that have served in Iraq protecting and instituting freedom and democracy on behalf of the people of Iraq. We’ve also seen the tremendous change and opportunity that comes by eliminating corruption and by embracing real economic reform. But having visited Tskhinvali we know there also are very difficult obstacles, political resolutions that need to be overcome.”
Delegation traveled to Tskhinvali, capital of Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia, on day-two, visiting several villages along the way. The Senators met with South Ossetia’s de facto authorities to discuss the current situation and progress in resolving the conflict through an internationally-backed peace process.
At a press conference after the Tskhinvali visit, Senator McCain expressed concern that he saw “no progress” in South Ossetia on peace initiatives backed by Georgia, the U.N. and the OSCE. Asked by a reporter whether Russian Peace keepers should remain in South Ossetia, Senator McCain stated flatly “My comment would be that it is time to evaluate whether the Russian peacekeepers are carrying out their mission in an objective fashion. And I believe serious consideration should be given to a new force either from the OSCE or the U.N. which can do a job that is more credible than present Russian peacekeeping force.” Senator McCain’s comments echoed those of Senator Richard Lugar was in Georgia several days earlier. At a press conference at the National Center for Disease Control, Senator Lugar stated that he would “support the effort of Georgia to find an international peacekeeping force that might replace the Russians.”
The McCain Delegation’s visit to Georgia was part of a five country trip including Greenland, Turkey, Georgia, Montenegro, and Italy where they will attend Ambrosetti Villa d’Este annual conference. |
