Category: Advocacy

Event – CEEC policy brief: the US leadership in enhancing Black Sea regional security

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is spurring the US and NATO members to revisit security in the Black Sea region. This online event took place on Thursday, September 15, 2022 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT.

The panel aimed at examining the new bipartisan Black Sea Security Act (S.4509) and the United States’ new policy toward the six countries of the region (Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey) that hold the keys to the collective security of the US and NATO members.

Speakers:

Mr. Ian Brzezinski – Senior Fellow Atlantic Council

Ambassador Kurt Volker – Former US Ambassador to NATO

Michael Hikari Cecire – Senior Policy Analyst – U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Moderated by:

Michael Sawkiw – Director, Ukrainian National Information Service

Statement on the Independence Day 2022

May 26, 2022

Washington, DC. USA

May 26 is a precious commemoration for Georgia. It is a reminder in these times of how important sovereignty and independence is to a nation and to the peoples who make up the nation.  Self-government is the ultimate good for a democracy like Georgia. It gives the nation its greatest gift – the ability to determine its present and its future.  In the past, Georgia was surrounded by ambitious empires, and always faced problems of national security. In the most difficult of circumstances in 1918, Georgia re-established a republic.  

When the USSR collapsed in 1991, the Georgian people reasserted their country’s sovereignty once more. This is what we celebrate today, the triumph of a sovereign people over the tyranny of external oppression. Self-government and accountable government are central pillars of Georgia’s independence and prosperity today and in the future. 

On behalf of the Georgian Association in the USA, we wish all of Georgia a happy independence day. For our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, we wish for peace and victory over Russia and other external forces which are attempting to subvert the Ukrainian people’s will. To quote Ilia Chavchavadze, “even if the present is not favorable, the future is ours.” 

Board of Directors,

Georgian Association in the USA

Statement on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

The Georgian Association in the United States strongly condemns Russia’s unprovoked and unjust full-scale invasion of Ukraine and calls on the United States and democracies around the world to continue pressure and action in support of the Ukrainian people in their brave fight for their territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, and democracy. We commiserate with the suffering of the Ukrainian people and others who have made Ukraine their home.

Georgia has firsthand experience in facing a Russian invasion and continued occupation of its internationally recognized territories, with long-term humanitarian, political, economic, social, and security consequences. The Russian assault on Ukraine reaffirms the Kremlin’s belief that its neighbors like Ukraine and Georgia do not have the right to national sovereignty and to pursue the democratic future they desire. Given Russia’s repressive and authoritarian government, Putin views flourishing democracies around Russia’s borders as threats to his regime. Thus, left undeterred, this aggression represents a threat to all of Europe and the many democratic gains since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. 

The United States and its allies in the West must confront this threat from Russia with the seriousness that it deserves. We should not allow Moscow to create another protracted conflict in the region, with hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, disrupted economy, and hopes for democracy shattered as they have done in Georgia. We call on the United States to reflect on lessons from the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 and do what it can to stand up to Moscow’s attempt to suppress the democratic aspirations of its neighbor.

Below are some resources on how you can support the people of Ukraine in their fight for their country’s independence and democratic future.


Strength is in Unity! (ძალა ერთობაშია!)

– The Board of Directors, The Georgian Association in the United States 

Georgian Association Ongoing Advocacy

As part of its ongoing advocacy effort to raise the consciousness of issues important to Georgian Americans and their friends, on May 6, 2019, the President of the Georgian Association in the USA (GA), Elisabeth Kvitashvili, along with Board of Directors members, John Tsotne Dadiani, Veronika Metonidze, and Darina Markozashvili, met with Mr. Collin Davenport, Legislative Director, and Ms. Molly Cole, Legislative Assistant, of Representative Gerald Connolly’s office (U.S. House of Representatives, 11th District, Virginia). Rep. Connolly is the co-chair of the Congressional Georgia Caucus, along with Rep. Adam Kinzinger (U.S. House of Representatives, 16th District, Illinois). In January 2019, Rep. Connolly and Rep. Kinzinger introduced H.R. 598, also known as “Georgia Support Act,” in support of Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The Georgian Association thanked Rep. Connolly’s office for his continuing strong support to Georgia. The GA pressed to have the HR passed in 2019 if possible. In addition, we welcomed Congressional support for maintenance of assistance levels to Georgia (both civilian and military) for FYs 2019 and ’20. The discussion primarily focused on the continuing creeping annexation of Georgian territories by Russia and Russia’s violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

We followed the meeting on Capitol Hill with a May 8th meeting at the State Department.  President Elisabeth Kvitashvili was joined by Board Member Darina Markozashvili, and together they raised concerns with Ms. Alicia Allison, Director, Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Aaron Rupert, Senior Georgia Desk Officer, and Mr. Christopher Hallett, Georgia Desk Officer. Although the discussion focused on the strong U.S.- Georgia bilateral relations, the GA expressed dismay that Georgia is yet to have a confirmed US Ambassador at post. The Department is hopeful a name may be forthcoming in the near future. The Department reaffirmed its support for robust levels of U.S. assistance in support of Georgia’s economic and democratic development but noted disappointment with Georgia’s judiciary.  The Georgian Association updated State Department colleagues about the cultural and educational projects the Association is currently supporting.

CEEC statement on Belarus

[pdf-embedder url=”https://georgian.merlewine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CEEC-Belarus-statement-v5.pdf”]

CEEC Letter to President Trump on Troop Withdrawal from Germany

The President

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear Mr. President:

The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC), representing over 20 million Americans of central and eastern European heritage, is writing to express our concern over the prospect of withdrawing large numbers of American troops from Germany. Such a move would directly weaken the security of frontline states like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland – and of the United States and the rest of NATO by extension; reduce U.S. influence in Europe; and embolden Russian President Putin to continue or increase his aggressive policies that threaten European democracy and transatlantic security.

These U.S. forces in Germany are what give operational credibility to American and NATO forces operating out of Poland and the Enhanced Forward Presence battalions in the Baltic nations. Many members of our communities have served in the U.S. armed forces, often in the European theater, and understand that Germany holds a unique position in the transatlantic alliance. Cleary, it has not yet increased its defense spending to the 2% threshold members pledged over ten years at the 2014 NATO summit in Wales. At the same time, the German government has allowed the U.S. and other allies to build bases, airfields, hospitals and communities, and host tens of thousands of servicemembers and their families, on German soil. This is an indispensable contribution to the success of NATO and the deterrence the alliance has enforced since 1949. The infrastructure and force presence established in Germany cannot be reduced or replicated elsewhere without compromising the military power they have come to represent.

NATO’s continued success depends on solidarity and strengthening the trust and relationships built among its allies over seven decades. Withdrawing U.S. forces from Germany would gravely undermine that trust and those relationships. The CEEC calls for U.S. policy and action that uphold the long history of American leadership in NATO to ensure that transatlantic security remains strong and effective. To this end, we ask that U.S. force levels in Germany remain at their current levels or higher.

The CEEC was established in 1994 and represents more than 20 million American voters whose heritage lies in this region. Its member organizations cooperate in calling attention to issues of mutual concern, especially as regards United States policy toward Central and East Europe. The CEEC regularly shares its concerns and ideas with the United States Congress and Administration.

We thank you for your consideration on this vitally important issue to U.S. national security. Please contact the undersigned at karinshueyeanc@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

 

On behalf of the CEEC,

Karin A. Shuey

Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Washington, DC Director

Estonian American National Council

Cc: Secretary of Defense

Secretary of State

Chairman and Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

Chairman and Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee

 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://georgian.merlewine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CEEC-letter-to-Pres-on-troops.pdf” title=”CEEC letter to Pres on troops”]

Georgian Association Statement on 2008 August War

August has a special meaning for Georgians. On August 7, 2008, military forces from the Russian government supporting separatists from Abkhazia and South Ossetia invaded Georgia resulting in the five-day Russo-Georgia war. Georgia suffered numerous casualties, and thousands of citizens were displaced and many still to this day. Although a cease-fire was negotiated between Georgia and the Russian government on August 12, 2008, the latter still occupies Georgia’s sovereign territory. The Russian government violates international norms in Georgia by annexing property, arbitrarily changing boundaries, destroying housing in the Tskhinvali region, and seizing farmland. It has also conducted kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, murders, harassment, and intimidation of private citizens. Georgians are historically resilient people and proud of their culture and traditions, and have earned the respect and support of the United States government. The U.S. government continues to press the Russian government to remove its troops and paramilitary forces from sovereign Georgian territory, and most recently Secretary of State Michael Pompeo reiterated U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty in a call with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Georgia has survived many invasions of its territory dating back centuries. It will survive this most recent illegal incursion by the Russian government.

The Georgian Association in the USA stands with all Georgians in remembrance of this dark time in Georgia’s history, but one from which the county will continue on its path to a stronger democracy and economic power in eastern Europe.

 

Georgian Association statement regarding illegal detention of Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili

The Georgian Association in the United States, Inc. is alarmed and expresses its deep concern with the rising tensions and expansion of the humanitarian crisis at the occupation line of Georgia’s Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

On November 9, 2019, the occupation regime illegally detained Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili, a well-known Georgian physician and president of the Georgian Association of Orthopedic Traumatologists. On November 15, 2019 he was sentenced to two months of pretrial detention. Dr. Gaprindashvili was detained while providing urgent medical help to a gravely injured local resident of the occupied Akhalgori district. The story of the patient’s condition and refusal of the Russian-controlled de facto authorities in Tskhinvali to transport the patient to Tbilisi has been widely reported. Following the arbitrary closure of the Mosabruni checkpoint by the de facto authorities in September of 2019, the local population has become totally isolated resulting in several deaths due to lack of access to adequate medical care.

The detention of Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili while fulfilling his duty as a doctor runs counter to all internationally recognized human rights.

The Georgian Association calls on US government representatives to:

– actively support efforts of the Georgian Government and International community to achieve the prompt release of Dr. Gaprindashvili from illegal custody;
– work with all sides involved to overcome the humanitarian crisis in the occupied territories and ensure local residents’ access to qualified medical care;

House of Representatives Adopts Connolly-Kinzinger Georgia Support Act

Georgian Association in the USA is happy to share the news that on October 23 the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 598, the Georgia Support Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). The legislation asserts the United States’ continued support for the independence and sovereignty of Georgia, recognizes Georgia’s commitment to democratic values including free and fair elections, and affirms U.S. opposition to Russian aggression in the region.

As Representative Connoly stated: “With this vote, the House sends a clear and unequivocal statement of support to the people of Georgia in their struggle against an ever-looming Russian threat. As the head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I am particularly pleased that this bill recognizes that Georgia has been a longstanding NATO-aspirant country. I thank my colleague, Rep. Kinzinger, for working with me to protect and strengthen the relationship between Georgia and the United States.”

“The United States plays a pivotal role in encouraging our Georgian allies to continue working towards independence and complete separation from their aggressive neighbor, Russia,” said Kinzinger. “And I’m proud of their efforts and aspirations to join the NATO alliance, and applaud their commitment to democratic values. Today, the House reasserted the importance of a strong U.S.-Georgia partnership, and I thank my colleagues for their support, especially Rep. Connolly for his efforts to bring this to the floor.”

Georgian Association in the USA expresses its deep gratitude to the initiating Representatives and Cosponsors of the Act and hopes for the continuous USA-Georgia cooperation.

Please follow the link for the full text of the legislation. More information here.

 

Cosponsors                                                                   Date Cosponsored

Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16]*                             01/16/2019

Rep. Rooney, Francis [R-FL-19]                                01/25/2019

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]                           01/25/2019

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]                                           01/25/2019

Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]            01/30/2019

Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30]                                   02/11/2019

Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17]                                            02/14/2019

Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]                                        02/19/2019

Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]                                    03/21/2019

Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]                            04/04/2019

Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]                                     04/09/2019

Rep. Wright, Ron [R-TX-6]                                          04/12/2019

Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3]                                     04/25/2019

Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]                           04/25/2019

Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-3]                                   04/25/2019

Rep. Cook, Paul [R-CA-8]                                             04/25/2019

Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]                                     04/25/2019

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-8]                                 05/01/2019

Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]                                       05/20/2019

Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]                                   05/20/2019

Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-15]                               05/20/2019

Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]                                     05/20/2019

Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]                                 05/22/2019

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]                                             05/22/2019

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]                                         06/05/2019

Rep. Riggleman, Denver [R-VA-5]                              06/12/2019

Rep. Rice, Tom [R-SC-7]                                               07/23/2019

Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-6]                                09/17/2019

Rep. Taylor, Van [R-TX-3]                                            10/21/2019

Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4]                                     10/21/2019