Embassy of the United States

Sen. McCain Addresses Georgian Association

Receiving an award at the association’s annual reception in Washington on May 20, Sen. McCain calls Georgia a “firm and fast friend” of the U.S. 

Washington, D.C. 
May 20th

“Thank you, Professor Tsereteli, Mr. Ambassador, other members of the board, and to the Georgian Association for this exceptional honor.

Thank you very much for this wonderful award.  It is a pleasure to accept and to join you tonight for your annual reception.  And while it’s obviously the case that Georgia has many close friends and admirers in the United States, it’s also true that any credit should really go to those who have set their country on such a remarkable course – the people of Georgia.

What the Georgian people have accomplished since the Rose Revolution – in terms of democratic governance, a western orientation, and in domestic reform – is of historic magnitude.  Georgia has been transformed, from a near failing state to an emerging democracy, with a promising future and a close relationship with the United States.   I’ve had the privilege of traveling to this beautiful country several times, and meeting with many Georgians over the years, both in their homeland and here in Washington.  A few years ago, I even traveled with some of my Senate colleagues to the Georgian province of South Ossetia.  Rarely have I seen, anywhere in the world, the kind of determination and resilience that is so clearly present in the hearts of Georgians everywhere.  The United States is proud to call Georgia a friend, and I take great pride in considering myself a friend of Georgia.

The success of Georgia stands as an example for the rest of the world and for all supporters of democracy and freedom.  Yet as we all know, these remain troubled times for the young democracy.  Although it has been merely eight months since the world’s attention was riveted by Russia’s invasion, and while the stories may have faded from the headlines, let us recall that Moscow remains in violation of the ceasefire terms to which it agreed last year.  Russian troops continue to be stationed on sovereign Georgian territory – thousands in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and in excess of the pre-conflict levels.  Rather than abide by the ceasefire’s requirement to engage in international talks on the future of the two provinces, Russia has recognized their independence, signed friendship agreements with them that effectively render them Russian dependencies, and taken over their border controls.  Russian President Medvedev recently denounced NATO exercises in Georgia, describing them as ‘provocative,’ and yet these ‘provocative’ exercises did not involve heavy equipment or arms and focused on disaster response, search and rescue, and the like.  Russia was even invited to participate in the exercises – an invitation Moscow declined. 

As these events take place – and there will undoubtedly be more like them – America must stand by Georgia, a firm and fast friend of our nation.  Last summer, I noted that many Americans, when they think of the Republic of Georgia, view it as a small, remote and obscure place.  But I also noted that world history is often made in remote, obscure countries.  It was being made in Georgia last summer and history is continuing to be made there today.  As Americans, we must ensure that we remain on the right side of it as we turn to the next chapter.

It is, after all, the responsibility of the leading nations of the world to ensure that history continues to be a record of humanity’s progress toward respecting the values and security of free people.   The United States has a critical role to play, in Georgia and throughout the world, as the chief voice for the rights and integrity of all persons in the world. 

So let us not forget what has happened in Georgia, not the great strides toward development and democracy, nor the tragedies of violence and war.  And let us not look askance at what is happening there today.   We must celebrate, not sacrifice, the full independence and sovereignty of countries we have been proud to call friends.  And perhaps nowhere is that truer today than in Georgia.”