COX AND LANTOS: RUSSIA DOESN’T BELONG IN G8 IF IT CONTINUES TO TRAMPLE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

Washington, DC–Congressmen Christopher Cox (R-CA) and Tom Lantos (D-CA) have introduced a bipartisan bill, H.Con. Res. 143 urging the suspension of Russia’s membership in the Group of 8 nations until the country adheres to international norms and standards of democracy.

“Russia has failed to complete a successful transition from communism to free enterprise, and from a Soviet police state to a stable, securely democratic society. Vladimir Putin needs to show that his nation belongs in the same league with the other G-7 members said Cox.

The major industrialized democracies gave Russia a seat at the table after the Cold War’s end, expecting that Russia’s new-found respect for human rights, the rule of law and free expression would persist,'” Lantos said. “But just six years later, Moscow has tossed aside this historic opportunity. Russia’s leaders are making a mockery of the G-8 by failing to live up to the basic norms of a democratic society, and shifting the blame for their crackdown on basic rights.”

Lantos noted that Russia has continued to court global opinion for its support in the war on terrorism while dodging criticism for its human rights record at every turn.

Cosponsors of H.Con.Res. 143 included Representatives McCotter, Wolf, Ackerman, Faleomavaega, Berman, Burton, Watson, Davis (IL) and Cannon.