Miller: Visa restrictions are just first step in our actions – there’s still time for gov’t to reverse trajectory

I can’t give you specific names, visa restrictions are just the first step in our serious of actions – there’s still time for the Georgian government to reverse the trajectory that it’s on. Our policy will be dependent on the policy that Georgia undertakes, – Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said at the briefing today.

In addition, he claimed that the US is prepared to undertake a full review of relationship with the government of Georgia.

“I can’t give you specific names. Just as a reminder to everyone that visa records are confidential under law. So I’m not able to say with any degree of specificity. But as I said in the statement, we’ve looked at the people who have taken actions to spread disinformation, who have taken actions to undermine democracy, to violently attack peaceful protesters and intimidate civil society representatives. And as I said, this is just the first step in our series of actions. And I should note that the actions that we are prepared to take are not just necessarily related to these new sanctions. We also said that we are undertaking a full review of our relationship with the government of Georgia.

I can tell you that we are prepared to impose additional sanctions, and we will take all other steps as appropriate.

There’s still time for the Georgian government to reverse the trajectory that it’s on. It doesn’t just apply with respect to this law that they pass. It applies to the way they have been cracking down on dissent. It applies to the statements that their leaders have made, rejecting the path that Georgia has been on for so long. So there is still time to turn it around, and our policy will be dependent on the policy that Georgia undertakes”, said Matthew Miller.

For information, Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, announced that the United States of America has implemented a new visa restriction policy on dozens of Georgian citizens.

Related story: US announces first tranche of visa restrictions comprising members of Georgian Dream