US freezes $95 million in aid to Georgia over 'anti-democratic actions'

WASHINGTON: The United States announced Wednesday a freeze in more than $95 million in aid to the government of Georgia over "anti-democratic actions" -- reference to the recent passing of a law seen as mimicking repressive Russian legislation.
"The Georgian government's anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and Nato," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken said the freeze concerns "more than $95 million in assistance that directly benefits the government of Georgia."
However, "the United States will continue assistance to programs and activities that benefit the people of Georgia by strengthening democracy, rule of law, independent media and economic development."
Over the last three decades since Georgia emerged as an independent country from the ruins of the Soviet Union, the United States has provided more than $6.2 billion to help build its economy, democratic institutions, military and educational facilities, Blinken said.
"We will remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations," he said.
Georgia, which borders Russia, is in turmoil over a sweeping law pushed through by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The law, criticized as similar to Russian legislation used to silence dissent, forces groups receiving at least a fifth of their funding from abroad to register as "organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power."
The law was adopted in May despite weeks of unprecedented street protests and warnings it would undermine Tbilisi's long-running bid for EU membership.