US senators: 'It’s not America undermining Georgia’s democracy, it’s Georgian Dream'
Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch and fellow Democrat Jeanne Shaheen issued a joint statement on the “deteriorating political situation” in Georgia, saying the ruling Georgian Dream party is undermining the country’s democracy.
The senators welcomed the summoning of Georgia’s ambassador to the US State Department and urged the Trump administration to consider the recent actions of Georgian Dream before making any changes to bilateral relations with Georgia.
US senators’ statement
“We are increasingly concerned by the deteriorating political situation in Georgia and the troubling actions taken by the Georgian government following recent local elections. Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s decision to outlaw opposition parties and jail their leaders is egregious, undemocratic and yet another indication that Georgian Dream is wholly uninterested in pursuing a path toward normalized political dialogue. Politically-motivated investigations and intimidation of civil society leaders, particularly those who have worked with the United States government and testified before our committee, are an attempt to silence dissent in a country with a proud history of speaking truth to power.
It is also unacceptable that the Georgian government has targeted former U.S. government employees by making baseless allegations that they are undermining Georgia’s government. Let us be clear: it is Georgian Dream, not the United States, that is undermining Georgia’s democracy and their ability to determine their future. We welcome the Department of State’s decision to summon the Georgian Ambassador to address these disturbing developments and we urge the Trump Administration to consider recent actions by the Georgian government before pursuing any change to the bilateral relationship. We extend our unwavering, bipartisan support to the Georgian people who simply wish to claim their right to self-determination”
Georgian Dream’s response
Georgian Dream MP Archil Gorduladze responded to the statement by Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, saying they are representatives of the “Deep State” and that their words carry no weight.
“Risch and Shaheen have a particular hatred for Georgia — they harbor strong disdain for the Georgian people, yet are mere representatives of the ‘Deep State’ and seek to expand its influence in other countries. They show special aggression toward Georgia. Accordingly, not a single word they say carries any value.
Their statements are aimed at harming Georgia’s interests. The ‘Deep State’ seeks, in some way, to insert agents into the Georgian government who would follow all its directives. It is unthinkable that Risch and Shaheen have any influence over President Trump or his administration.”
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, in turn, says that the senators are under the influence of the ‘Global War Party.
“These people are also under the influence of the ‘Global War Party.’ We have stated this many times, and I’ll say it again: we support President Trump in his fight against the ‘Deep State.’ Whether he succeeds—time will tell. At the same time, we are ready to start relations with a clean slate.
This is our message, our position, and our desire—to reset relations so that we can be friends and partners. And of course, this must be mutual, not one-sided.”
Senators on Georgian Dream
