posted September 2, 2008
Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, returned late Sunday from the Republic of Georgia where he met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and was one of the first American officials to survey damage and humanitarian operations in the town of Gori.
“Much will be written and discussed about the events leading up to the conflict between Russia and Georgia, but there are a few takeaways from my trip that are indisputable,” said Corker.
“First, there is no question that innocent Georgian civilians were targeted and harmed unnecessarily by Russia.
“Second, it is vitally important to the U.S. that we play an appropriate role in supporting emerging democracies, like Georgia, that were part of the former Soviet bloc.
“Third, we’re seeing energy demand play out geopolitically, demonstrated by the muted response by many European countries who depend on Russia for oil and gas. This further highlights the need for our country to get serious about our own energy policies.
“Finally, we can be very proud of our country and non-profit organizations who are working to meet the humanitarian needs of the Georgians caught in this conflict.”
Corker arrived in Tbilisi on Friday and met with the Vice Speaker of Georgian Parliament Gigi Tsereteli.
On Saturday he toured the town of Gori which was bombed during the war and visited a school being used as a shelter where USAID and Mercy Corps workers are looking after some 98 refugees whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. Shida Kartli Governor Lado Vardzelashvili joined Corker during the tour of Gori.
Saturday also included separate meetings with Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze and President Mikheil Saakashvili and dinner with three Georgian parliamentarians.
Corker returned to Tennessee on Sunday.
Overview of Sen. Corker’s visit to Georgia:
Friday, August 29
Arrives in Tbilisi
Meeting with Vice Speaker of Georgian Parliament Gigi Tsereteli
Location: Tbilisi
Saturday, August 30
Visit to Gori with guides Erik Holmgren, USAID DART (United States Agency for International Development Disaster Assistance Response Team) representative, and David Rakviashvili, Georgian Deputy Minister for Reintegration
Meeting with Lado Vardzelashvili, Governor of Shida Kartli
Location: Governor’s Office, Gori
Visit to Gori school serving as makeshift shelter and visit with Mercy Corps, NGO (non-government organization) aid delivery team
Location: Intellect Private School, Gori
Meeting with Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze and Minister of Finance Nikoloz Gilauri (U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft in attendance)
Location: Prime Minister’s Chancery, Tbilisi
Meeting with Colin Buckley, Millennium Challenge Corporation Country Director for Georgia, and Bob Wilson, USAID director
Location: U.S. Embassy, Tbilisi
Meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (Ambassador Tefft in attendance)
Location: Avlabari Residence Offices, Tbilisi
Dinner with Parliamentarians Peter Tsiskarishvili, Majority Leader; Lasha Zhvania, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; and Akakiy Minashvili, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Committee
Location: Kopola Restaurant, Tbilisi
Sunday, August 31
Departs Tbilisi for Tennessee
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