Press Release
Smith Co-Chairs Hearing Condemning Russian Invasion of Georgia 10 Years AgoIn his opening remarks at a hearing of the U.S. Helsinki Commission on “Russia’s Occupation of Georgia and the Erosion of the International Order,” Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) condemned Russia’s “unjust” war against Georgia, its “brutal” occupation, and its “illegal” attempt to “alienate Georgian territory.” “Despite Putin’s aggression the people of Georgia showed great courage and resolve and competence during a national emergency,” Smith said. (To read Smith’s full statement, click here.) Tuesday’s hearing examined the consequences of Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia and its occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and the present state of the conflict for U.S. national security, as well as what the U.S. can do to help advance Georgia’s territorial integrity and its integration into the European-Atlantic community. “In any case progress can only be built on the truth, and so I hope we continue to call it like it was—the Russian war against Georgia was unjust, its conduct of its occupation has been brutal and caused unnecessary suffering, and its attempt to alienate Georgian territory is illegal and can never be recognized,” Smith stated. Smith is the Co-Chair of the Helsinki Commission, or the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. As an independent federal agency, the Helsinki Commission promotes human rights, security, and economic cooperation in the 57-nation OSCE region. In his statement, Smith shared before the commission and witnesses of how two constituents of his—two young girls age three and seven—were trapped behind Russian lines during the 2008 invasion of Georgia, as they were visiting their grandparents. “Russia’s land grab transformed the girls’ summer trip to visit their grandparents into a family nightmare,” Smith said. Smith visited Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, 11 days after the Russian invasion began, and worked with the U.S. and French Ambassadors to ensure the safe evacuation of the two girls, Ashley and Sophia, to their home in Howell, New Jersey, as well as the safe evacuation of other American children trapped in Russian-occupied areas. Smith noted that more than a dozen other US citizen children were trapped behind “enemy lines” as he worked to bring them home. “Mariam Tsapatsaris, the 5 year-old daughter of New Jersey residents Anna and Nick, was with her grandmother in Poti and was forced to lie on the floor with her grandmother as Russian tanks rumbled in the streets,” Smith said. “Eventually Mariam too came to the US to be with her mother, but the delay was tormenting for her family.” |