Smart relations with Georgia to prevent conflict with Russia

“I don’t think we’re moving towards another Cold War, but the dangers do exist,” said Salome Zourabichvili, Chairwoman of the Georgia’s Way Party (former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Georgia). Zourabichvili says Georgia, Russia and the European Union need to have a frank and firm discussion about border security, energy policy and security, and the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) in order to prevent more conflict between Georgia and Russia.

At a discussion at the Woodrow Wilson center, Zourabichvili recommended that the Obama administration recognize Georgia’s desire for Democracy, independent media, and government transparency. She warned the U.S. to aid Gerorgia’s government and institutions conditionally in order to allocate funds to the best place. Zourabichvili said private American institutions who fundraise for Georgia end up unintentionally funding the Georgian military budget (one-third of the national budget in 2007) and “regime consolidation.” With little pressure for government transparency, Zourabichvili said local levels of government practically “don’t exist,” have no budget and are largely governmentally controlled.

Zourabichvili said in exchange for a clear allocation of funds to Georgia, the U.S. will see a Democratizing nation and prevent the opportunity for escalated violent conflict between Georgia and Russia.