STORY: ::A senior U.S. diplomat warns Georgia its ‘foreign agents’
law could put aid from Washington at risk
:: James O’Brien / U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
“If the law goes forward without conforming to EU norms and this kind of rhetoric aspersions against the U.S and other partners continue, I think the relationship is at risk.”
::May 14, 2024
::Tbilisi, Georgia
“Just a few examples: the U.S. has about 390 million dollars in assistance that we are planning to spend with Georgian authorities, half our military assistance, about another third roughly on economic development projects and more on building institutions along with some for civil society. All that has to be under review if we are now regarded as an adversary, and not a partner.”
“If the law goes forward, out of conformity with EU norms and there is undermining of democracy here, and there is violence against peaceful protesters, then we will see restrictions coming from the United States – those tend to be financial and travel restrictions on the individuals responsible for those actions and their families.”
O’Brien said all aid from Washington to Georgia would be under review if the United States was viewed by the country’s authorities as an adversary and not a partner.
The senior diplomat added that Washington wanted to ensure any new protests against the legislation were peaceful and if there was any violence against demonstrators, financial and travel restrictions would be imposed on those responsible.
Source Agencies
