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STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON VISIT TO GEORGIA
September 7, 2012
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement regarding his recent visit to Georgia:
“The purpose of my visit to Georgia this week with Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was to meet with representatives of the Georgian government and the major opposition parties in the run-up to the October 1 parliamentary election. As we made clear in our meetings with each of these parties – the UNM, Georgian Dream, and the Christian Democrats – the United States does not support any individual coalition or candidate in this election. Rather, our interest is in a democratic vote that is free, fair, peaceful, and meets international electoral standards. We will look to the election observation missions of long-established, well-respected international organizations, such as the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and the OSCE, to monitor this vote and offer their objective views of its conduct. We urge all parties to do the same and to accept the final results peacefully.
“While in Georgia, we also met with President Saakashvili. I am proud to consider President Saakashvili a friend and know him to be a friend of the United States. I have admired the remarkable progress made by Georgia under his leadership.
“Ultimately, the partnership between the United States and Georgia rests not on individuals alone, but on our shared commitment to a set of mutual interests and universal values, including democracy, rule of law, and human rights. I look forward to supporting the people of Georgia as they continue to build a better future in freedom, security, and prosperity, and take their rightful place as a full member of the Euro-Atlantic community of democracies.”
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