Opposition Received Promises from the USA

Aleksi Bezhanishvili

After the visit of the chairman of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio and commission members Georgia received honorable guests from the USA. On February 5, Deputy US State Secretary James Steinberg and assistant to the US State Secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon spent much time on their meeting with the opposition parties though their visit lasted only several hours. Opposition representatives are pleasant with the meeting results and think that similar attention from the US high-ranking officials is not accidental.

“Georgian population is waiting for the results of the secret activities and oppressions which really come from the USA; people should really see the signs of improved democratic environment,” said leader of the Democratic Movement for the United Georgia Nino Burjanadze after the meeting with James Steinberg and Philip Gordon.

“They stated that administration of the US is interested not only in the reputation of a friend of the USA but they want our government to take democratic steps; this was most important statement at this meeting,” said Burjanadze.

Leader of the public movement “Defend Georgia” Levan Gachechiladze is sorry that despite frequent meetings with American side and deep friendship with them, we have seen positive results neither in the field of security, nor in democracy nor in human rights.

Meeting of opposition members with James Steinberg and Philip Gordon was organized in the residence of the US Ambassador in Georgia. A leader of the Alliance for Georgia Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the Democratic Movement for the United Georgia Nino Burjanadze, a leader of the public movement “Defend Georgia” Levan Gachechiladze and leader of Christian-Democratic Party Giorgi Targamadze met them.

Leader of Parliamentary minority Giorgi Targamadze stated that meeting with American guests confirmed that US pays particular attention to the development of democracy in Georgia. “We heard at the meeting today that although the US government significantly reduces their budget, they will increase their aid to Georgia to reinforce democratic institutes here. We hope upcoming elections will become a basis for the consolidation of people in Georgia.”

Besides that, leader of parliamentary minority requested the US officials “to make coordination of their governmental agencies with the government of Georgia more active in order to make our government more reserved and careful about the provocations of our northern neighbor. “At the meeting I requested the American side to make coordination of corresponding agencies with the government of Georgia more active and systematic; it shall not be only exchange of information but it should become real source for the management of the situation. In this way, the government of Georgia shall be more reserved and careful about the provocations of Russia.”

Davit Gamkrelidze stated that opposition received serious promises from the US administration that USA will be very principle about priority of the development of democratic institutions in Georgia.

“The fact that high-ranking delegation from the USA managed to meet opposition members during a very short visit and furthermore, they met us before their meeting with the government is very important. They underscored that our country, our people and not separate political leader or president are priorities for them,” said Gamkrelidze.

After the meeting, the US delegation met president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. During the briefing in the airport James Steinberg assessed the visit in Georgia as very successful one. He said they had very interesting meetings in Georgia with the president and his circle, as well as opposition leaders. “We discussed issues of double relations at the meetings today. We also discussed current political and economical situation of Georgia. We honor Georgia as our partner state very much. Besides that, we kept our promise about the aid of one billion USD which was first announced by Joe Biden. Last– one million USD - has already been transferred to Georgia.”

Journalists asked him whether the USA will accept the proposal of the president of Georgia on using Georgia as a transit country for goods in Afghanistan. Steinberg replied that members of the US administration should discuss this issue together with Pentagon.

According to him, during the meetings in Tbilisi he mentioned issues of regional security, development of economical and civil society. “We spoke about security issues. Security in the Caucasus is essential. We discussed creation of secure environment in the region. More transparency and less tension are necessary,” said Steinberg.

Deputy US State Secretary left Georgia for Azerbaijan where he met President Ilham Aliev.

After the visit, parliamentary majority responded to the assessments of the opposition leaders. Members of the National Movement particularly disliked statement of Nino Burjanadze “secret oppression.” Member of the parliamentary majority Davit Darchiashvili said “secret oppression” is characteristic style of Russia and not of the USA or other democratic states.

He added that US Administration, EU and international actors are in close relation with new democrats in order to promote democracy in the country; they make notifications publicly; they speak about progress openly as well.