"Stop NATO!" rally at the Kaluzhskaya square, organized by "Young Russia" movement.
Photo: Sergey Kiselev
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Congressmen Warn against U.S. Anti-Russian Stance
A bipartisan group of four U.S. congressmen warned on Wednesday against the “knee-jerk anti-Russian position” frequently taken by the United States, and, in particular the danger to U.S. interests of the making Georgia a member of NATO. The congressmen spoke at a session of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee where a vote was being taken on a resolution criticizing “provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.”
California Democrat Ed Sherman pointed out that the United States supported independence for the former Soviet republics, the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo, while refusing to consider independence for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The only consistency he found in those positions was opposition to the Russian position. Furthermore, Georgian membership in NATO could ensnare the U.S. and its allies in a lengthy armed conflict.
California Republican Dana Rohrabacher agreed with Sherman, noting that “We have a totally inconsistent position when it comes to some countries that might have areas that want to have their self-determination but are occupied by people who are somewhat pro-Russian.” Rohrabacher also doubted the expediency see of Georgia's NATO membership, noting that the country is tiny and almost on the border of Central Asia.
California Republican Ed Royce and Massachusetts Democrat Bill Delahunt expressed similar views, but the resolution was approved nonetheless. It now goes for consideration by the House of Representatives.
The resolution calls on Russia to reverse its decision to establish “official” ties with the two Georgian breakaway republics. It also urges UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to investigate the downing of an unpiloted Georgian reconnaissance plane on April 20, 2008. In addition, the resolution expresses the House of Representative's support for the declaration made at the Bucharest NATO summit saying that Georgia could become a member of NATO.
The resolution is co-authored by 25 U.S. congressmen from both parties. Those authors include chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman and chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Alcee Hastings.
www.kommersant.com
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