US Congressmen visit Georgian village at the occupation line

Five US Congressmen – Bryan George Steil, Carol Devine Miller, Alex Mooney, Ronald Jean Estes and Kelly Michael Armstrong – have visited the Georgian village of Odzisi, near the administrative boundary separating the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the rest of Georgia. 

It is important to come and see first hand the Russian occupation of Georgia and it is really an important step in building this relationship between the US and the country of Georgia...It is one thing to read about it, it is another thing to come here and see what the occupation zone looks like,” US Congressman Bryan Steil said. 

Alex Mooney underlined that the US cares for and supports Georgia.  

It is very important for the world to see the occupation that is happening here and to let  Russian know that we are paying attention and we are greatly concerned about the aggression here,” Mooney stated. 

Congresswoman Carol Miller underscored that the US supports Georgia’s sovereignty.

The US strongly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and their right to be in their country and we are very proud to be friends with Georgia and their government and their democracy,” Congresswoman Carol Miller said.

Deputy head of the Georgian State Security Service (SSS) Aleksi Batiashvili spoke to the congressmen about the ‘difficult situation on the spot as a result of the occupation.’

• Get an idea about the village on the occupation line from Agenda.ge's multimedia story: EU's eyes and ears on Russia's creeping occupation of Georgia

US congressmen stressed the importance of being at the occupation borderline in person and getting information about the occupation on the spot.

You can read about it but until you are here and see it in person understanding the size and how important it is to the country of Georgia about the encroachment from Russia and being able to protect Georgia’s sovereignty,” stated Kelly Armstrong. 

Ronald Estes emphasised the importance of ‘being able to see the line where Russia occupied Georgia’s territory.’

The relationship we have between the US and Georgia is important. It is important to see what is going on in the country that we have friendship with,” Estes noted.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia stated that the visit of US congressmen ‘is a significant message both for the Russian occupation forces, as well as for the international community.’ 

The delegation of US congressmen visited Georgia today and their visit will last till September 9. 

The US congressmen will meet with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Minister of Economy Natia Turnava and Georgian MPs.