14 March 2002

Ambassador-designate to Georgia Richard Miles' Senate Testimony

Richard M. Miles, President Bush's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Georgia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at his confirmation hearing March 14 that Georgia "is at a critical moment of transition in its political life" and that, if confirmed, he would be committed to "working to support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and developing "the capacity to deal with security threats, including terrorism and attacks on its future energy networks."

Miles, a career Foreign Service Officer, said above all, the U.S. goal "has been and will continue to be an independent, democratic, and prosperous Georgia that is at peace with itself and its neighbors."

Following is the text of his statement to the committee as prepared for delivery:

It is a great honor to appear before you today, and I feel privileged to have the endorsement of President Bush and Secretary Powell as their nominee to serve as United States Ambassador to Georgia. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Congress, and this committee in particular, as I serve the United States in Georgia.

Mr. Chairman, Georgia is at a critical moment of transition in its political life. President Shevardnadze will retire in 2005. As you well know, three years is the blink of an eye in the world of politics. A top priority of U.S. policy on Georgia during this critical period will be to help Georgian political leaders and Georgian society to prepare for a peaceful and democratic transition of power in 2005.

As we engage with a new generation of leaders, we will also maintain a partnership with President Shevardnadze in his commitment to advancing democratic and market economic reform and fighting corruption. President Shevardnadze is an historic figure who has guided his country through many of its tumultuous years since gaining independence in 1991. He is a close friend of the United States and has been instrumental in setting Georgia on the path of reform. Several of his recent official appointments, along with his efforts to restore order to the Pankisi Gorge, indicate that President Shevardnadze understands that political and economic reform with deep roots will be the foundation for a stable and peaceful transition of power. If confirmed, I will work with President Shevardnadze in these coming years to deepen Georgia's reform efforts and strengthen the viability of the Georgian state.

Of course, Georgia still faces a number of challenges as it makes its transition from a former Soviet state to a country governed by the rule of law. Corruption continues to plague public institutions. Unresolved separatist conflicts on parts of the Georgian territory and terrorists in the Pankisi Gorge have impeded Georgia's ability to move forward. With the generous assistance of the Congress, the United States is actively engaged with the Georgian government in these areas and others to turn those problems around. Through our Office for Eurasian Conflicts, the United States is working diligently as a Friend of Georgia under UN auspices to promote a political settlement of the Abkhaz conflict. With FREEDOM Support Act assistance and in cooperation with the Agency for International Development, we have a broad and deep involvement with Georgian society that includes promoting energy security and privatization, supporting civil society, nongovernmental organizations, and the independent media, facilitating governmental and academic exchanges, bolstering land privatization, and assisting the development of small businesses.

Above all, our goal has been and will continue to be an independent, democratic, and prosperous Georgia that is at peace with itself and its neighbors. If confirmed, I am committed to working to support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moreover, I believe the United States has a role in aiding Georgia to develop the capacity to deal with security threats, including terrorism and attacks on its future energy networks. These will be high on my agenda.

During my Foreign Service career, much of my work has been focused especially on promoting U.S. interests in, and relations with, the states of the former Soviet Union and Southeast Europe. As a former Ambassador to Azerbaijan, I know that the Caucasus is a tough neighborhood with problems that have no easy solutions. But, it is a region that serves as a fulcrum for a number of U.S. strategic interests, including the spread of democratic values, our war on terrorism, and the secure development of energy corridors.

Georgia remains a place where the United States can make a difference and is a place where the difference between success and failure matters. If confirmed as Ambassador, I will work diligently to defend and promote U.S. interests in Georgia and throughout the region, working closely with the Congress and the Administration, as well as your Committee in particular, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for this opportunity to address you today.