Mike Pompeo: State Dept will Send Volunteers to Observe Elections in Georgia

The Department of State is to send volunteers to observe the parliamentary elections in Georgia. The above is written in a letter penned by Mike Pompeo sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in response to the invitation of election observers.

In the letter, Pompeo notes he appreciates all the steps taken by the Georgian government to encourage and facilitate the arrival of international observers in the country.

He notes that the Department of State will select volunteers from the United States to join the ODIHR mission.

"Thank you for your letter and invitation to observe the October 31 parliamentary elections in Georgia. I share your efforts to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in line with international standards and best practices. A competitive environment, accurate implementation of electoral reforms, and respect for fundamental human rights and freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are important both on election day and in the pre-election/post-election periods. I appreciate all the steps taken by the Government of Georgia to encourage and facilitate the arrival of international observers in the country.

"We support the recommendation of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to deploy a full monitoring group, which includes a core group, 28 long-term observers and 350 short-term observers.

"We are also aware of the logistical challenges associated with COVID, which may complicate the organization of a full-scale mission. The Department will select volunteers from the United States to join the ODIHR mission.

"In addition to the ODIHR mission, the Embassy of the United States in Tbilisi, in coordination with the Central Election Commission, will provide monitoring by the embassy team. Although the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have decided not to deploy international observers on election day because of COVID-19, we are working with them to find an alternative solution”, reads the letter.

Pompeo notes that the US appreciates Georgia’s support to the United States and international observers and is ready to assist Georgia in implementing reforms that will strengthen democratic institutions and democratic processes.

The information was spread by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

By Ana Dumbadze