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STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT’S DEMAND THAT U.S. END PRO-DEMOCRACY WORK
September 18, 2012
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement on the Russian government’s demand that the United States end all pro-democracy work in the country by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID):
“The Russian government’s decision to end all USAID activities in the country is an insult to the United States and a finger in the eye of the Obama Administration, which has consistently trumpeted the alleged success of its so-called ‘reset’ policy toward Moscow.
“There should be no confusion as to why this decision was made: an increasingly autocratic government in Russia wants to limit the ability of its own citizens to freely and willingly work with American partners on the promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Russia. If the defense of these values holds any place in the Administration’s approach to Russia, this shameful action by the Russian government should prompt strong criticism from the highest levels at the White House and the State Department. The Administration should also make clear that, despite this embarrassing setback, the U.S. will never abandon those patriotic Russians who dream of a better and freer future for their country, and that we will seek new ways to maintain our support and assistance to them. Most of all, it is now essential for the U.S. Congress to pass the Magnitsky Act as quickly as possible.”
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