Rusudan Shelia

The chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, is among the strong friends of Georgia who are distinguished by their unwavering support for the Georgian people and the country's historical Western aspirations. You will not find a hearing held in Congress or public discussion with his participation where Congressman Wilson, without any prompting, doesn't take the initiative to express his position on the issue of Georgia—even if the topic of discussion does not include the South Caucasus region or Georgia in particular.

On December 2, at the Hudson Institute, a public panel discussion focused on the situation in the Middle East. Congressman Joe Wilson was the main speaker, and while addressing the primary issue of the meeting, he once again reminded the US think tanks of the importance of supporting the democratic process in Georgia. Our interview took place right after this discussion:

- First of all, I would like to ask you to assess the brutal violence that we have been observing in Tbilisi for the third day now. The riot police are using the most severe forms of violence against peaceful demonstrators. What is your reaction here in Washington when you receive such reports from Tbilisi?

- It is truly inspiring to watch how the Georgian people continue to protest despite the violence committed against them. This reflects a tradition we've seen in the past in Bucharest, East Germany, Budapest, and other countries. We remember how society stood up against Soviet imperialism, resisted evil, and gained freedom. The power of the people always brings about positive change. In the end, freedom will definitely prevail. I am confident that the Georgian people will succeed in defending the future of a democratic, free Georgia and will become part of the European Union and NATO.

- However, as I have already mentioned, we also see harsh punitive measures on this path. Your personal position is known to the Georgian people, but don’t you think that the United States is delaying the imposition of sanctions on those responsible for the bloody violence in Georgia? -

- It is very important to me that those who oppress others face consequences and that sanctions are imposed on them. The violence they have organized must be met with an appropriate response. Everyone who believes in freedom and democracy must stand together against this crime.

- After the October 26 parliamentary elections, you called the “Georgian Dream” an illegitimate government. Can you elaborate on this position?

- In my opinion, we have seen numerous violations in Georgia, which have been substantiated by both the European Union and other international observers. I would not have made such a statement if the illegitimacy of the Georgian Dream's hold on power had not been proven. The parliamentary elections were not conducted in a manner that was credible to either the Georgian people or the world. They held the elections with manipulative interference, violated the constitution, approved the government without the president's consent, and continue to brutally suppress those who protest against this in Georgia. That is why I consider them an illegitimate government.

- Against the backdrop of extremely strained relations between Georgia and the United States, the leaders of the Georgian Dream are trying to convince the Georgian people that relations will be quickly restored after the official entry of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump into the White House. They also claim that under Donald Trump's presidency, the Georgian Dream will have no problems with the democratic world. You represent Donald Trump's team, so it's interesting—do you think the Georgian Dream is telling the Georgian people the truth in this case?

- Donald Trump supports freedom. He supports democracy. He, too, is a person who objects to elections that could be irregular. So, I am confident that Donald Trump will stand with the Georgian people and not with the regime that rigged the elections.