Two Indiana law school deans joined 67 other deans in signing a statement of support for international norms of conduct and the rule of law in the Caucasus region in light of the recent violence between Russia and the Republic of Georgia.

"The actions of Russia threaten ... the people of Georgia and the Georgians' commitment to values we hold fundamental and daily teach to our students," the deans wrote in their letter. Recipients of the statement include the U.S. Department of State, numerous congressional delegations, and political and academic figures in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Dean Jay Conison of Valparaiso University School of Law, who signed the statement, participated in the Conference on Judicial Independence and Legal Education in Tbilisi in July that was organized by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Indiana Lawyer reported about Conison's experience in the Aug. 6-19, 2008, edition of the paper.

Conison is vice chair of the ABA committee responsible for accreditation of law schools in the United States and incorporated his experience into discussions about the importance of law school accreditation. Another dean who signed, Veryl V. Miles, dean of Columbus School of Law at Catholic University, was also at the conference.

A spokesman for Conison said he and others at that conference have been in contact with their legal counterparts in the Republic of Georgia.

Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington's dean Lauren Robel also signed the statement.