March 20, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy has urged President George W. Bush to discuss challenges to Georgia's sovereignty and religious freedom as he meets with President Mikheil Saakashvili today.

Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence presents a dangerous threat to the territorial integrity of Georgia, which has two breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, vying to gain Russian and international recognition of independence.

According to the letter, "Since Kosovo's declaration, the Russian Duma has begun to consider legislative measures that would recognize the independence of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia has recently stated it feels it is no longer bound by the protocols laid out in the CIS pact ‘On Measures to Regulate the Conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia,' which places sanctions on the government of Abkhazia.

"These incidents are widely viewed as attempts by Russia to encourage these two areas toward independence in the light of the declaration of independence by Kosovo.

"It is our belief that only high level discussions between the United States and Russia can prevent any premature declarations of independence or recognition by either country that will negatively influence the territorial integrity of Georgia and other sovereign states around the world."

On religious freedom, the Institute noted the great progress Georgia has made in protecting the rights of religious minorities. However, the government has performed poorly in returning property to religious groups seized by previous regimes.

About Institute on Religion and Public Policy

Nominated for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Peace, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy.

The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights – especially the right of religious freedom – and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom.

Institute on Religion and Public Policy