Wednesday, February 06, 2008
B-318 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
United StatesTitle
Georgia in 2008: Elections or Street Politics?
Official Transcript:
Members:
Name:
Hon. Alcee Hastings
Title Text:
Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Ben Cardin
Title Text:
Co-Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Chris Smith
Title Text:
Ranking Minority Member
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Sam Brownback
Title Text:
Ranking Minority Member
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Lloyd Doggett
Title Text:
Member of Congress
Body:
United States House of Representatives
Statement:
Witnesses:
Name:
Mr. Matthew Bryza
Title:
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia
Body:
Department of State
Statement:
Name:
H.E. Vasil Sikharulidze
Title:
Ambassador of Georgia to the U.S.
Statement:
Name:
Ms. Salome Zourabichvili
Title:
Chairwoman
Body:
The Way of Georgia Party
Statement:
This hearing, presided over by the Hon. Alcee Hastings, Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, and attended by Commissioners Cardin, Smith, and Brownback, focussed on Georgia and the recent violence within the country.
Over the last few months, Georgia has experienced considerable turmoil, with the violent confrontation between riot police and protesters in November, the imposition of a state of emergency, the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili and the holding of a snap presidential election in early January. Although President Saakashvili narrowly won re-election in the first-round, opposition leaders refuse to recognize the outcome and have pledged to launch another round of protests beginning on February 15 unless their extensive list of demands are met. The hearing will examine the ramifications of these developments for Georgia, the United States and NATO, which Georgia is hoping to join.
Relevant issues:
Relevant countries: