RE: New article???21 Jan 2020 10:09
On December 23, US State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus called on "the Georgian government to strengthen its commitment to the principles of democracy, personal freedom and the rule of law by creating a politically impartial court system and prosecutors." Earlier, two US congressmen Adam Kinsinger and Gerald Connolly sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Georgy Gahariya in which they expressed “growing concern” about the decision of the Georgian government to abandon the promised political reforms, as well as about reports of “violence against peaceful demonstrators ".
Response to a letter in Tbilisi
The ruling party and opposition politicians commented on Congressman Mullin's open letter. Civil Georgia (Civil.ge) offers these feedback.
Ratings of the ruling party
Archil Talakvadze, Chairman of the Parliament : “The statement of the congressman is related to the Fronter’s dispute. Our state will protect its interests in this dispute. Regarding the position of the United States, the official positions of official Washington and the US government are guiding for us, and the assessment of our American partners is that Georgia has made irreversible progress in strengthening democratic institutions and protecting human rights. ”
Gia Volsky, First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament : “The congressman’s statement is biased. 200 American companies are registered in Georgia, and I can’t recall the case when a company was attacked ... and (this) is associated with one particular company, Frontera, which has been operating in Georgia since 1994, claims that Georgia has large reserves gas, but no one else heard anything about it. If it were not for democratic standards, such a standard of relations between America and Georgia would not exist, in any area our relations are at the highest level. "
Opposition Ratings
Salome Samadashvili, Member of Parliament from the Unified National Movement : “For the first time it happens that we are talking about a sanctions regime with respect to our country, and the letter indicates that when the US provides financial assistance to the country, at the same time they state problems that create an obstacle in order for this assistance to be used effectively. The power of Bidzina Ivanishvili creates a problem for our state and leads to a dead end for the future of all Georgian citizens. ”
Sergi Kapanadze, Member of Parliament for European Georgia : “Congressman Mullin’s open letter is clear evidence that the United States is concerned about the ongoing processes in Georgia. These letters do not stop, and ... this should be an alarming call for the authorities, if they have common sense. It’s clear to everyone that political opponents are being persecuted in the country, there is a serious attack on democratic processes, there is an economic crisis, and there is neglect of democratic institutions. ”