A bipartisan group of the United States Senate sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia on April 26, expressing deep concern and warning the Prime Minister that if the foreign agents bill becomes law, they will be forced to encourage a change in US policy towards Georgia, – Georgian Service of Voice of America reports.
Voice of America reports that “the unprecedented note of concern sent by 14 Senators to Irakli Kobakhidze is the most severe among other statements of the Senate.”
The bipartisan letter was led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Senator James Risch.
“They are calling on the government of Georgia to withdraw the law, which threatens US-Georgia relations and also raises the possibility of imposing sanctions on individuals, cutting off direct government funding and expanding visa restrictions.
According to the copy of the letter obtained by Voice of America, the senators will encourage Washington to change its policy towards Georgia, in case the law is enacted,” reads the article.
The Senators wrote to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, that they, as long-time friends of Georgia, were “forced” to express “deep concern” over the decision of the Georgian government to re-introduce the “Russian-style foreign agents law”.
“Enacting this legislation could send a powerful message to the Georgian people that their government no longer reflects their wishes, is actively undermining its EU membership agenda and refuses to uphold the Constitution. As a result, this legislation will tarnish Georgia’s closest partners, the United States and the European Union, as malicious actors. Such a change will lead to a change in America’s policy towards Georgia and reflect the new state of Georgia’s politics,” said the letter sent to Prime Minister Kobakhidze.
As the Georgian Service of Voice of America writes, the Senators consider several factors in the policy change that have not been voiced in Georgia-US relations before – “among them are the imposition of individual sanctions, the termination of direct financing and the expansion of visa restrictions. So far, the Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on four judges of Georgia.”
“We, as members of Congress, who have deep respect for the Georgian people and have always been strong bipartisan and foremost supporters of bilateral ties with your country, will be very disappointed if the Georgian Parliament passes a law on foreign agents that undermines Georgia’s relationship with the United States. If this bill is passed, we will be forced to encourage changes in US policy toward Georgia, which could include sanctions against those responsible for hindering Georgia’s democratic development or limiting its Euro-Atlantic development trajectory, this could also include revising direct US financial aid, and expanding US visa restrictions.
We must also state that the reintroduced bill does not mirror any US law and will be used to silence civil society and the media, which play an important role in the development of Georgia’s democratic institutions. As you know, freedom of speech can be inconvenient for any ruling party, but the ability to disagree and express one’s opinion publicly is what strengthens democracy,” reads the letter.
“At the end of the letter, the Senators promise that they will never abandon the aspiration of the Georgian people, who made their voice heard in support of the democratic and European future, loud and clear, to everyone.” According to them, the relationship between the United States and Georgia is based on mutual interests and common values, and each of them is a strong supporter of further deepening of this relationship. However, they also say that the relationship cannot “continue until this legislation is not withdrawn”.
