Two US congressmen send letter to Georgian PM over Tbilisi protests
The US congressmen have expressed hope that the ruling party and the opposition will come to a consensus regarding the electoral system for 2020 elections.
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US Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Gerry Connolly have sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia regarding the ongoing protests in Tbilisi, sparked by the rejection of the ruling Georgian Dream party proposed election bill on November 14.
The congressmen stated that since declaring independence in 1991, Georgia has developed a “strong democratic foundation and demonstrated a commitment to democratic values”, including free and fair elections.
That is why we were shocked to hear about the collapse of promised reforms in the Georgian parliament to move to a proportional electoral system. Georgia has been working on these reforms for years with the European Union and the Venice Commission. This commitment was made not only to the international community, but most importantly to the Georgian people. It is our hope that Georgian officials will resume negotiations immediately and pass this important reform package,” the letter reads.
As co-chairs of the House Georgia Caucus, @GerryConnolly and I sent this letter to the Georgian PM with concerns on the reported violence against peaceful protests over the political reforms that were promised to the Georgian people and to the international community. pic.twitter.com/b9AHSscbW4
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) December 16, 2019
The congressmen stated that while any government has the right to use lawful and proportionate force against violent unrest, democracies must respect the right of citizens to use peaceful means to express their views.
The news that hundreds of protestors, journalists, and political opposition leaders have been injured – and even hospitalised – by reportedly government-sanctioned violence is appalling,” the letter reads.
The congressmen stated that they are looking forward to working with the Georgian government to ensure that “Georgia’s democracy only grows stronger in the years to come."
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has responded to the letter of two US congressmen regarding the ongoing protests in Tbilisi, sparked by the rejection of an election bill last month, saying that “much controversial information is reaching Washington.”
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The United States Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Alex Mooney, who are visiting Georgia on November 5-9, met with the Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze today. Kinzinger and Mooney reiterated the US support for Georgia, its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
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The US Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Alex Mooney are visiting Georgia between November 5 and 9, and are scheduled to meet with the Georgian PM, parliament speaker, foreign minister and defence minister.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the concerns of two US congressmen regarding ongoing protests in Tbilisi, stating that the US-Georgia relations are at an all time high and the more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised on further progress and the expectations are high.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch has called upon the Georgian government to keep its election promise on an early transition to a fully proportional electoral system starting from 2020 instead of scheduled 2024, in his interview with Voice of America.
United States Congressman Markwayne Mullin, who is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, has sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia with concerns about the "deteriorating economic climate" for foreign direct investment, in particular for US energy companies in the country.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has responded to a recent open letter published by US Congressman Markwayne Mullin on ‘the deteriorating economic climate’ in Georgia, by saying that Georgia listens to the official statements of the US government. “Top officials of the US State Department and our American partners say that Georgia has irreversible progress in terms of development of democratic institutions."
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger has tweeted that he and three other congressmen have sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia with ‘grave concerns’ over political and economic issues in the country.
A US House of Representatives subcommittee has proposed making financial assistance for Georgia conditional on the fulfilment of several requirements, which has the opposition raising the alarm bell while the ruling party states that the country will not bear any losses.