Criticism of U.S. aid renewed by Georgian Dream, referencing comments made by Samantha Power
In a recent development, Georgia's ruling party has raised concerns over comments made by former USAID Administrator Samantha Power during a prank interview. The remarks, which Georgia's ruling party views as evidence of U.S. interference in Georgia's political affairs, have sparked a controversy and underscored the delicate relationship between Georgia and Washington.
During the interview, Power's comments were interpreted as suggesting that U.S. aid programs influence political regimes abroad. Levan Machavariani, another ruling party member, linked Power's remarks to Georgia's ongoing investigations into non-governmental organizations (NGOs), stating that NGOs funded by USAID worked to maintain governments serving the 'Deep State' and to remove those that did not.
Machavariani also criticized the U.S. administration's "silence" towards Georgia, despite the government's alignment with Trump-era policies. He argued that USAID had invested millions in Ukraine and Moldova to bolster preferred governments and weaken those considered undesirable.
However, it's important to note that there are no publicly available, credible reports naming specific NGOs in Georgia currently under government investigation due to USAID funding and alleged involvement with the so-called "Deep State" governments. Recent information indicates general government actions against opposition figures, media organizations, and critical NGOs, including account freezes and entry bans, but does not specify NGOs linked to USAID or "Deep State" activities in Georgia.
USAID, on the other hand, defines its mission as supporting democracy, economic growth, and humanitarian needs, not regime change. In her Moldova comments, Power framed the funding as an effort to help reformers consolidate power against entrenched corruption.
The government insists it is protecting sovereignty from foreign interference, while critics warn that targeting NGOs risks shrinking the country's democratic space. The ongoing investigations into NGOs have raised concerns about the potential impact on the country's democratic space.
This dispute highlights the complexities of Georgia's relationship with the U.S., a relationship that is crucial for Georgia's economic growth and political stability. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the future of this relationship.
