Jeanne Shaheen: “I wish to respond to Senator Risch's amendment because I am very sympathetic to the concerns he is raising. All who…”

“I wish to respond to Senator Risch's amendment because I am very sympathetic to the concerns he is raising. All who watched Russia's invasion of Georgia had to be outraged about what happened. In fact, I have a resolution I have submitted with Senators Graham and Lieberman. I hope, perhaps, the Senator from Idaho might be willing to take a look at this resolution and work with us on it next year because one of the things it does is it calls upon the Government of Russia to take steps to fulfill all the terms and conditions of the 2008 cease-fire agreement, including returning military forces to prewar positions and ensuring access to international humanitarian aid to all those affected by the conflict. It also deals with a number of other provisions in that resolution with respect to Georgia. I also point out, as I am sure my friend from Idaho knows, that Georgia has recognized it is in their interest to have relations with Russia that can address their border concerns in a way that is positive, to have Russia working with the international community as opposed to working as a pariah.”