Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Room 2325, Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C., DC 20024
United StatesTitle
Russia, Georgia, and the Return of Power Politics
Official Transcript:
Members:
Name:
Hon. Alcee Hastings
Title Text:
Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Benjamin Cardin
Title Text:
Co-Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Christopher Smith
Title Text:
Commissioner
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Witnesses:
Name:
Hon. Matthew Bryza
Title:
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Body:
Department of State
Statement:
Name:
Paul Goble
Title:
Director of Research and Publications
Body:
Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku
Statement:
This hearing, which Commissioner Benjamin L. Cardin presided over, was considered one of the most important hearings that the Helsinki Commission conducted in 2008 that dealt with Russia, Georgia, and the return of power politics Russian military involvement in Georgia represented a new chapter in U.S.-Russia relations, a chapter that, unsurprisingly, continues to have negative implications and ramifications.
Obviously, the CSCE has strongly condemned Russia’s use of military force in Georgia, and there has been justified concern that, as Russia has gained more aggression internationally, they have also internally moved in the wrong direction as it relates to the liberties of the peoples within Russia. So, the goal of the hearing was to look for a way in which the U.S. could constructively engage Russia, a major international player, while simultaneously clarifying that Russia’s actions regarding Georgia have been intolerable.
Relevant issues:
Relevant countries:
Leadership: