GD Party Asks NDI Georgia’s Head to Apologize for Facebook Post

Members of ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party have demanded an apology from the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Director in Georgia, Laura Thornton, for her Facebook post, in which she said that the United States President Donald Trump would not be able to find Georgia on the map.

Several days ago, Thornton posted on Facebook, saying an Imedi TV journalist asked asked her whether the NDI intended to lobby the confrontation between the American president and Russia by asking a question about the US and Russian military forces to the respondents within a survey.

“I laughed outloud. With great likelihood, Trump wouldn't even be able to find Georgia on a map, not to mention that he does not look at the results of our surveys! But I like the assumption that we have such a big influence!" the post reads.

The majority of MPs say that Trump knows quite well where Georgia is located, adding the US is Georgia’s strategic partner. They believe Thornton’s statement damages Georgia-US relations.

Irakli Mezurnishvili, a member of the GD majority, called on the head of the NDI Georgia Office to apologize for her statement, while Irakli Sesiashvili, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Defense and Security Committee, called Thornton’s post “regrettable.”

"It is a pity when such a statement is made by the leader of an American organization. American and Georgian soldiers would not like it," said Irakli Sesiashvili.

Thornton has already responded to the ruling party, saying it was her personal opinion and she is not going to apologize.

"I am an American citizen. This was my personal opinion posted on my personal page. I am not going to apologize for that," Laura Thornton said.

By Thea Morrison