Norland: position of US Congress on bureaucrats' arrests in Georgia poses no threat to countries' relationships

The statement of the US Congress that the US-Georgian cooperation on security issues is under threat because of undemocratic processes in Georgia is subject to discussion and does not speak about any crisis in relations between the two countries, said the US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland.

"In fact, there's no crisis in Georgian-American relations. Over the years, the Congress is following the democratic progress in Georgia; and when something comes up on the radar – in this case, it's the arrest of the former Prime Minister, the Congress usually speaks its word," said Norland.

The statement of the US Congress has particularly highlighted the arrest of Vano Merabishvili, the former Prime Minister of Georgia and the current Secretary General of the pro-presidential "United National Movement" Party, accused of abuse of power, embezzlement and bribery of voters. Merabishvili himself denies all the charges.

According to Mr Norland, the text of the statement of the US Congress can not be considered final. "The House of Representatives has adopted this document, but it has not yet been considered by the Senate. It has not yet entered into force as an American law," he said.

According to Norland, the text of the law can be changed, should Georgia listen to the viewpoint of the United States.