About Civil.ge
Eng | Geo | Rus
Last updated: 10:55 - 1 May.'18
RSS
Mobile
Twitter
Facebook
U.S. Rejects Mediator’s Role in Georgia’s Political Standoff
/ 1 Nov.'07 / 22:44
Civil Georgia

The United States does not see its role as a mediator in the current political standoff between the authorities and opposition in Georgia, Daniel Fried, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said on November 1.

Daniel Fried, who is visiting Georgian to participate in a high-profile conference, met both the opposition politicians and the Georgian leadership on November 1 – a day before planned protest rally outside the Parliament. Holding of parliamentary elections in April, instead of late 2008 is the ten-party opposition coalition campaigning jointly for a month.

The opposition leaders have already made it clear that they expected international mediation following the crisis that would ensue after the permanent demonstrations.

“The United States does not see its role as a mediator,” Daniel Fried said while speaking at a news conference later on November 1. “I think that it is for the Georgian government, the Georgian political parties, including the Georgian opposition to work out the rules of the game in a democratic fashion, in an atmosphere of respect, and also in an atmosphere of competition, because that is what the democracy is about.”

Shortly before these remarks the U.S. senior official addressed the Tbilisi Summit 2007: Building Europe’s East with what appeared to be a carefully worded statement with an attempt to equally address both the opposition and the government.

“Georgia’s opposition remains weak,” he said when he started to talk about the recent developments in Georgia. “One demonstration, hopefully peacefully to be held tomorrow, is not necessarily a sign of strength, although it might be a prophetic of some time to come. A strong, free nation deserves a strong, free opposition. And Parliament needs to play a stronger role in Georgian politics.”

He also stressed that democracy was healthy when those in power “share authorities with an opposition in joint – albeit competitive – pursuit of the country’s greater good, rather than scoring tactical pointlessly points.”

Daniel Fried pointed out it was a test of whether Georgia’s political system could find a place for dissenting voices and rational debate.

“It is also, to be sure, a test of whether those dissenting voices can act responsibly within a democratic system to effect that change they desire and use the mechanisms of democracy to improve that system,” he added.

He said that “the stakes are high” and the outcome would resonate beyond Georgia.

Daniel Fried also reiterated the U.S. support to Georgia’s NATO integration, but he also pointed out that this support was “not a guarantee” of final accession.

“Since 1989, every country which America has supported in its NATO aspirations has succeeded. But there is a secret: they have succeeded because of their own efforts and through their own results,” he said.

He then outline some major points that should lead Georgia to NATO membership

“Advancing democratic and judicial reforms especially by ensuring judicial proceedings remain free from political influence and by cultivating – rather than merely tolerating – a viable political opposition,” Fried said.

He also pointed that peaceful resolution of the conflicts and “aggressive diplomatic efforts to forge negotiated settlement” was also an integral part of NATO integration process.

Latest News
01 May.'18 10:55
We Have Moved to a New Platform
Direct Your Bookmarks to https://civil.ge.
29 Apr.'18 03:54
Ruling Party Candidate Wins MP By-Elections
Givi Chichinadze will represent Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency in the Parliament of Georgia.
28 Apr.'18 09:40
Polls Open for Vani and Khoni MP By-Elections
48,123 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency.
27 Apr.'18 17:23
State Dept’s Europe Affairs Point Man to Visit Tbilisi
Wess Mitchell will meet senior government officials and address the NATO-Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum.
27 Apr.'18 13:45
In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Comeback
Bidzina Ivanishvili will be approved as the Georgian Dream party chairman at the upcoming convention.
26 Apr.'18 18:15
SG Jens Stoltenberg: Georgia NATO’s ‘Very Close’ Partner
The NATO Secretary General says Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow will recognize the country’s progress.
26 Apr.'18 14:24
Ex-PM Ivanishvili to Chair Georgian Dream Party
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Ivanishvili was ‘best equipped’ to add new dynamism to the party.
26 Apr.'18 11:12
Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Liability for ‘Insult of Religious Feelings’
The parliamentary human rights committee decided to set up a working group for scrutinizing the draft law.
25 Apr.'18 17:21
New Abkhaz Government Head Appointed
Gennady Gagulia has served as the Abkhaz “prime minister” twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.
25 Apr.'18 14:43
Watchdog Improves Georgia’s Press Freedom Ranking
None of the countries of the former Soviet Union (except the Baltics) are ranked ahead of Georgia.

About Civil Georgia
Civil.Ge © 2001-2024, Daily News Online
Registered office: 2 Dolidze Str, 4-th Floor.
48