US assistance for strengthening democracy

International organization Freedom House has asked the US Government to direct most of its promised assistance towards strengthening democratic institutions in Georgia. According to Freedom House, Georgian democracy failed in 2007 and needs serious support.

The Human Rights Protection Department Director of Freedom House, Paula Schriefer, has submitted a letter to the US Congress. She states therein that as soon as immediate humanitarian needs are satisfied the major part of the US assistance should be earmarked for reinforcing the free media, independent TV channels, the court system and civil society organisations. She says that the strengthening of democracy in Georgia will enable the country to become a more important strategic partner of the USA.

Freedom House states that Georgia is one of the most democratic of the former Soviet Union Republics, but in spite of this democracy suffered a serious setback in 2007 and needs to be restored and improved.