(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is scheduled to meet Wednesday evening in St. Paul, Minnesota with members of Parliament from the Republic of Georgia who are visiting the U.S. for consultations with American officials. Last month, the country was invaded by Russian troops who continue to occupy two provinces in the country. Earlier today, the U.S. government announced a comprehensive package of assistance for Georgia including humanitarian aid, infrastructure rehabilitation, private sector financing and other development activities. Statement of Ros-Lehtinen:

The people of the United States stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Georgia to defy those who would seek to impose a new tyranny based on the failed policies of the past.

Tonight's meeting is an opportunity to learn how we can assist the people of Georgia in their recovery efforts. In coordination with our allies, we will help the people of Georgia weather the immediate humanitarian crisis and assist efforts to rebuild an economy badly damaged by Russian belligerence.

Russia's ambition to overthrow by force the Georgian government has been condemned by every responsible nation. Already the world's financial markets have lost confidence in Russia due to its reckless policies, and investors are withdrawing sizable assets from the nation's economy. Moscow is no longer a constructive member of the G8 group of advanced industrial nations and should be removed as a member.

The Bush Administration should immediately withdraw from Congressional consideration the proposed U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement, and also initiate security consultations with nations neighboring Russia, including Ukraine, to head off further aggression by leaders in Moscow clinging to a failed past.

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