Georgia Accuses US of Encouraging Overthrow of Government

Georgia accuses NGOs and a number of other groups receiving foreign funds of trying to overthrow the government.

AFP/VANO SHLAMOV

Demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Friday (3/5/2024) to protest the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill.

TBILISI, SATURDAY — Prime Minister Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze accused the United States and foreign parties of repeatedly trying to overthrow the government in Georgia. Washington is accused of using a number of non-governmental organizations and diplomatic networks.

Kobakhidze announced the allegations through a post on social media on Friday (3/5/2024) night in Tbilisi time. The post summarized his conversation with the US Department of State expert staff, Derek Chollet, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

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With Chollet and Michel, he discussed the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill. The US and European Union consider the bill to suppress press freedom.

"I conveyed to the President of the European Council about the active involvement of foreign-funded organizations in two revolution attempts in Georgia between 2020 and 2023," he wrote about the conversation with Michel.

DPA/AP/BRITTA PEDERSEN

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (right) receives Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Berlin, Germany, on April 12, 2024.

To Chollet, he also conveyed allegations about foreign involvement. "Expressing deep disappointment regarding the two attempted revolutions in 2020-2023 that were supported by former US ambassadors and carried out through foreign-funded NGOs," he wrote.

Although not mentioning her by name, it refers to Kelly Colleen Degnan, who became the US Ambassador to Tbilisi from 2020 to 2023. To Chollet, he mentioned that Degnan repeatedly made inaccurate statements about Georgia during her time in Tbilisi. Degnan was accused of inciting violence by foreign-funded groups in Georgia.

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He also mentioned the comments made by officials from the US Department of State regarding the Foreign Influence Transparency Act. Those comments were deemed as wrong as Degnan's comments on various protests in Georgia during his tenure as ambassador in Tbilisi.

In the past year, various demonstrations have taken place in Georgia to reject the bill. The Georgia Dream Party, the ruling party, said the bill is no different from the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in the US.

AP/ZURAB TSERTSVADZE

Demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Thursday (2/5/2024) to protest the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill.

The FARA requires all foreign interest lobbyists in the US to register with the government. Meanwhile, the Georgia bill mandates all foreign fund recipients to disclose the source of their funds, including for media, NGOs, academics, and community organizations.

The Georgian Dream Party has been in power since 2012. Founded by conglomerate Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party has brought Georgia closer to Russia in the last decade.

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During the meeting with Michel, Kobakhidze also discussed the Child Protection and Family Values Bill. The bill stipulates that Georgia only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman. Georgia also prohibits any attempt to introduce additional genders or identify genders different from biological sex.

Both the RUU and the Transparansi RUU are considered not in line with EU values that accept transgender individuals. "I emphasize that we have not heard any opposing arguments to this proposed legislation, which is solely aimed at promoting transparency and accountability of relevant organizations in relation to the Georgia community," said Kobakhidze regarding the discussion with Michel.

Disrupt the relationship

In a separate social media post, Chollet chose to discuss the possibility of Tbilisi's relationship with the West. He mentioned that Tbilisi has repeatedly made hostile statements.

AP/ZURAB TSERTSVADZE

Demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Friday (3/5/2024) to protest the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill.

In addition, the government supports undemocratic rules. These rules could disrupt Georgia's relations with the West. "The US urges the Government of Georgia to recommit to the Euro-Atlantic future," he wrote on social media.

Georgia is currently at a crossroads in its relationship with the West. "After years of partnership, we regret that Georgia's desire for Euro-Atlanticism is now hanging in the balance. There is still room for the path desired by the Georgian people," continued Chollet.

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A day before Chollet and Kobakhidze communicated, the spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, also discussed the bill. "We are very concerned about the regulations being discussed in the Georgia legislative institution. We are also concerned and condemn the government officials' false statements to defend the rule," he said on Thursday (2/5/2024) in Washington DC.

In a statement on April 18, Miller also addressed the issue of the bill. "We are very disappointed with the Georgian parliament's decision to continue discussing the 'foreign influence' bill," he said.

AFP/VANO SHLAMOV

Demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Friday (3/5/2024) to protest the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill.

The bill is said to be pushed by Russia. If enacted, the bill could threaten Georgia's chances of joining the European Union. However, according to Miller, joining the EU is the desire of the majority of Georgian citizens.

The US views that the Georgia bill restricts freedom of expression and hinders press freedom. "We urge all parties to protect the right to peaceful assembly," said Miller. (AP/REUTERS)