Washington, DC -- Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today welcomed the Administration’s announcement that it is halting its effort to press for approval of a proposed civilian nuclear agreement with Russia.

“This was a wise decision on the Administration’s part,” Berman said.  “Given what has happened in the Republic of Georgia during the past month, Congress has little appetite at the moment for new and sweeping measures that would assist Russia.”

In late August Berman visited Tbilisi to show solidarity with the Georgian people and to deliver humanitarian aid.  He met with President Mikheil Saakashvili, Speaker David Bakradze and other parliamentary officials, along with Georgian Prime Minister Vladimer Gurgenidze and the minister of defense and minister of reintegration and conflict resolution.

Tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on U.S.-Russia relations after the Georgia crisis.

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