WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following joint statement in response to the State Department’s decision to pause $95 million in assistance to the government of Georgia following passage of a foreign agents law:
“We welcome today’s announcement suspending bilateral assistance to Georgia in response to its decision to implement a foreign agents law that will be used to target civil society and human rights organizations fighting for a free and democratic future. Since Georgia regained independence from Moscow in 1991, the United States has been a proud supporter of democratic efforts and reforms, working alongside the government to strengthen its institutions and support its territorial integrity following Russia’s 2008 annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian government has wrongly believed that its rejection of its citizens’ democratic aspirations would have no bearing on its relationship with the United States. Today’s decision sends a message that United States assistance is not unconditional and the government’s actions have real consequences.
“Despite the decision to suspend U.S. assistance, the United States remains committed to the Georgian people’s aspirations for a transatlantic future. The bipartisan support for today’s actions taken by the State Department reflects one provision of our legislation, the Georgian People’s Act, which required a review of bilateral assistance to Georgia. We will continue to advocate for additional measures included in the bill that will hold the Georgian government accountable and help the Georgian people pursue their democratic path. The United States stands ready to reengage when the government once again demonstrates its commitment to our shared goals.”
Background:
In May, Risch and Shaheen issued a joint statement condemning passage of the foreign agents bill. Prior to the votes in Georgian Parliament, the senators sent a bipartisan letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia urging the government to reconsider the bill.
Also in May, Senators Risch, Shaheen, Cardin, Ricketts, Coons, and Graham introduced bipartisan legislation to hold accountable Georgian government officials and individuals responsible for corruption, human rights abuses, and efforts to advance the foreign agents law or facilitate its passage. The bill would also enshrine the United States’ enduring support to the Georgian people who overwhelmingly support a more democratic, Euro-Atlantic future.
Risch and Shaheen participated as election monitors in Georgia in 2012.
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