"Unless the ruling party reverses course on taking anti-democratic actions like the ‘foreign agents law,’ and ceases its hostile rhetoric against the U.S., I cannot imagine our relations will get any better", - former US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly said in an interview given to InterpressNews.
He also responded to the cancellation of the invitation to the Prime Minister of Georgia by the Biden administration and called this fact an unprecedented case in the history of Georgia-US relations, which, according to the former diplomat, official Washington never does to the government it considers friendly.
What kind of development does he see in US-Georgia relations, what does he consider a turning point and how realistic is the issue of Georgia's isolation, on these and other topical issues, in an extensive interview.
You may have already been informed that the Biden Administration rescinded Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s invitation to its annual UNGA reception and declined to meet with the Georgian delegation. I would like to ask you, in the language of diplomacy, what does the message of the mentioned decision of the administration of the President of the USA mean to the government of Georgia? What conclusions should the ruling power of Georgia draw from this?
Such an action is certainly unprecedented in the history of U.S.-Georgian relations. It is not the kind of thing we normally do to governments we consider to be friendly.
The cancellation of the invitation to Biden's reception was followed by an explanation from the US Embassy in Georgia that the decision of the Biden administration was a response to the Georgian government's anti-democratic actions, disinformation and negative rhetoric towards the US and the West. Before that, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Georgian government officials and two private individuals, and the State Department expanded the list of persons to whom visa restrictions will be imposed. In this context, I would like to ask you where Georgia-US relations are going? What development of processes do you expect?
Unless the ruling party reverses course on taking anti-democratic actions like the ‘foreign agents law,’ and ceases its hostile rhetoric against the U.S., I cannot imagine our relations will get any better. It is hard for me to express how damaging such rhetoric has been to our relationship. Senior officials continue to spread lies about the U.S.’s war-like intentions toward Georgia – though we have repeatedly denied that we want you to open a second front against Russia. Officials have insulted senior officials from both the State Department and Congress. It’s no wonder that we have reacted negatively. No country should tolerate lies and insults.
On the other hand, we often hear such a statement from the head of the Georgian government that if the US government continues to impose restrictions, the Georgian government will also reconsider certain positions of relations with the US? What will happen if we get to the point where the official Tbilisi will reconsider the bilateral relations?
If the ruling party returns to a Western path, such as by rescinding the ‘foreign agents law’ and implementing the kinds of democratic reforms the EU has suggested, there will be no more restrictions from either Washington or Brussels. I hope they won’t reconsider their relations with us in a negative direction, but if they do, that’s their decision.
As Georgia is approaching a very important date - parliamentary elections- the representatives of the Georgian government are trying to convince the population that the goal of the steps taken by the US in relation to Georgia in the last period is to influence the elections and return the “National Movement” to power. How realistic do you think the idea is that the USA is trying to influence the results of the elections in Georgia? And what could be Washington's real interest regarding the October 26 elections?
We certainly are not advocating for any one party. No outside power should interfere in the ability of the Georgian people to freely express their will in elections. That is the path to a government that is stable and enjoys legitimacy. That’s why it is in everyone’s interest that those elections be free and fair.
A large part of the election campaign of the ruling party "Georgian Dream" is built on the "campaign of war", more specifically, the ruling power claims that if the opposition wins, Georgia will be involved in the war. To what extent can there be grounds for assuming that in the event of a change of government, a second front will open in Georgia and the country will find itself in a war?
God forbid. Again, any accusation that the U.S. has an interest in a war involving Georgia is unfounded and slanderous.
I would like to ask you the last question in the context of Georgia-EU relations, but before that I will ask you, in light of the upcoming elections, what will you say to the Georgian society on the one hand, and to the government and the opposition on the other hand? What key challenges do you see that you believe all parties need to overcome?
I hope that the government will enable an open electoral process, both before and during the elections, and that the opposition will fairly compete in presenting their views to the people. Most of all, I urge every Georgian to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Finally, as the EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński said, if the situation in Georgia worsens, the EU is ready to use various elements of the tools at their disposal, including the temporary suspension of the free visa regime. Of course, you know that the European Union has stopped the negotiation process with Georgia. Do you think that international isolation trends are emerging?
The choice between isolation and engagement is certainly on the ballot in many countries, including mine. I am hopeful engagement will win the day. Whatever the outcome, our priority for our relations with Georgia will not change – to support the Georgian people’s aspirations to engage and integrate with the community of democratic nations, and so enjoy peace and prosperity.
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