Active First Two Weeks for New US Representative to Georgia

Georgia has been without an ambassador from the United States since March when Ambassador Ian Kelly's two-and-a-half-year term ended.

The White House has still not appointed a new ambassador, but Ross Wilson, former ambassador to Turkey (2005-2008) and Azerbaijan (2000-2003) is now at the embassy in Tbilisi as interim ambassador - officially chargé d’affaires, ad interim. His term began on November 8.

Wilson has served 30 years in the US Foreign Service, working at the US embassies in Moscow and Prague, and served as Consulate General in Melbourne, in addition to his ambassadorships.

In Washington, Wilson was Principal Deputy to the Ambassador-at-Large and Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for the new independent states of the former Soviet Union in 1997-2000. He also served as Deputy Executive Secretary of the State Department for Secretaries Baker, Eagleburger, and Christopher; Chief of Staff to Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick; Chief US Negotiator for the Free Trade Area of the Americas while on detail to the Office of the US Trade Representative; and in the State Department’s offices dealing with the USSR and Egypt. In 2010-2014, Ambassador Wilson was Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, where he led the Council’s work on the former Soviet states, Turkey, and regional energy issues.

Wilson was most recently a distinguished senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, visiting lecturer in International Affairs at George Washington University, chairman of the board of the Institute of Turkish Studies, and chair-elect of the board of Global Minnesota. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Wilson's first big public meeting with a Georgian government official was on November 9, the day after he arrived, with Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.

After the meeting he spoke to the press, saying “I want to begin by thanking the Foreign Minister for making himself available to me on my very first day in Georgia. We had, I think, an excellent conversation that familiarized me, or refamiliarized me, with Georgia’s perspective on a range of issues that are important to the United States. I am delighted to be back in this country; I have been in and out of Georgia for nearly 40 years. I have seen, and see again now, just during the course of yesterday and today, tremendous positive achievements that this country has made in consolidating its independence, its sovereignty, and its success as an important and stable country in the South Caucasus. I should also say how honored I am to have been asked by Secretary Pompeo and his team in Washington to come here, to serve as the leader of America’s mission in this country, to provide Ambassadorial level representation at a time that is important for US interests, it is important in US-Georgia relations, it is important for the future of this country. My appointment here reflects the immense priority and commitment that the United States attaches to our relationship with Georgia and its success. I should note that our Embassy and its leadership under Elizabeth Rood have done an outstanding job here. I think my role will be to try to add to that, to further US-Georgian relations, to further America’s interests, to help this country to address some of its problems, many of which I discussed with the Minister. My country will continue to do everything it can to support Georgia’s independence, Georgia’s sovereignty, and in particular to support its territorial integrity.”

On November 16, Wilson met with the candidates for the upcoming presidential run-off elections - Salome Zurabishvili and Grigol Vashadze.

After the meeting, he spoke to the press, saying he was pleased with the meeting, and that they discussed "the upcoming election and broader political situation." He noted that the meetings "were a welcome opportunity to hear their perspectives and ideas for the country,” and that he “underscored [the United States’] support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the importance of its democratic institutions for the country’s success.” He called for civility during the pre-election period, saying “we urge all sides to refrain from harsh rhetoric and polarizing attacks and engage in calmer, constructive dialog that will foster respect for democratic values, civil society, and stability."

On Monday, Wilson visited Kutaisi for the launch of the new USAID Agriculture Program and commented that the pre-election period is an interesting time to have come to Georgia. Tension around a political competition is “somewhat normal for any democracy,” Wilson assured, while urging actors “on all the sides” to exercise restraint. “Georgia will continue to be, certainly, should continue to be an open democratic society. Tolerance and respect for others of different political persuasions will continue to be important the day after the election and next year and the year after that,” he reiterated.

By Samantha Guthrie

Image source: US Embassy in Georgia