The United States government, represented by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, has expressed concern that should Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ regulation pass, it could trigger a significant “reassessment” of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. This statement was made on May 14 following the Georgian parliament’s approval of the bill.
“We are deeply troubled by Georgia’s Kremlin-style foreign agents legislation,” Karine Jean-Pierre stated at a media briefing. “This legislation is at odds with the principles of democracy and would distance Georgia from the core values of both the European Union and NATO,” she continued.
The Georgian parliament adopted the disputed bill on its third reading on May 14.
Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili, who advocates for the country’s Western alignment, has previously declared her intention to veto the legislation. Nevertheless, the predominating party, Georgian Dream, appears poised to override the veto with sufficient support, enabling the bill to be enacted by the parliament’s speaker.
The controversial legislation mandates that organizations receiving foreign funds register as “foreign agents,“ sparking concerns about potential governmental suppression of opposition and civic groups.
Adding his voice to concerns, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Jim O’Brien affirmed the potential repercussions of the legislation on May 14, suggesting that its implementation would provoke “consequences.”
“Recent declarations and parliamentary actions here (in Georgia) have raised doubts about the alignment of our strategic interests with the current government,” commented O’Brien.
This legislative proposal has been critiqued by a number of Georgia’s Western allies. With strong opposition, the European Parliament passed a resolution on April 25, outspoken against the ‘foreign agents’ law, explicitly stating that “EU accession talks should be on hold unless the law is removed from Georgia’s legal framework.”
The proposed law has led to a wave of public dissent lasting weeks, along with allegations of severe suppression of anti-government demonstrations.
Authorities have reportedly engaged in aggressive measures against protestors, utilizing tear gas, water cannon, and rubber projectiles. Furthermore, masked officers allegedly committed acts of physical assault, with such incidents captured on video and disseminated online.
Mimicking restrictive Russian laws aimed at silencing opposition to the Kremlin, the bill, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, has been derisively labelled as the “Russian law” by those opposed to it.
FAQ About the ‘Foreign Agents’ Bill and US-Georgia Relations
- What does the ‘foreign agents’ bill entail?
The bill requires organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as ‘foreign agents’ in Georgia, which may subject them to additional scrutiny and governmental control. - Why is the US concerned about this bill?
The US fears the bill threatens democratic values and aligns Georgia closer to Russian authoritarian practices rather than Western democratic norms. It could also endanger civil society and freedom of expression in Georgia. - Has the bill been enacted into law?
As of the last report, the Georgian parliament passed the bill, but the President of Georgia intended to veto it. However, the ruling party may have enough votes to override the veto. - What might the consequences be if the bill is enacted?
The US and other Western allies have suggested there will be repercussions which could affect diplomatic relations, aid, and progression towards EU accession negotiations for Georgia. - Has there been opposition to the bill within Georgia?
Yes, there have been significant and ongoing protests against the bill, with protestors and even some government officials opposing it as a move away from democratic processes.
Conclusion
The passage of Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ bill has sparked substantial international concern and is poised to alter the country’s relationship with the United States and its alignment with Western values and allies. As tensions continue with internal protests and global scrutiny, the implementation of this law remains a situation with potentially far-reaching implications for Georgia’s democratic integrity and international relations.
Note: TheUBJ does not produce the news content. This is a rewritten version from various internet sources through AI news feed technology. The original source can be found at https://kyivindependent.com/white-house-if-foreign-agents-bill-passes-us-will-be-compelled-to-reassess-relationship-with-georgia/.