Wall Street Journal
- 02.24.2004
Wall Street Journal
Georgia
Stands On the Frontier Of Freedom
COMMENTARY
By MIKHAIL SAAKASHVILI
President Bush late last year spoke about the importance of democracy in
a dangerous world: "The progress of liberty is a powerful trend. Yet, we
also know that liberty, if not defended, can be lost."
Mere days after he uttered those words the Georgian nation rose up to
defend our liberty and chart our own destiny. The Rose Revolution succeeded
with great joy -- and without violence. It demonstrated that our roots and our
identity are with the West. Far more than simply a product of Georgia's
economic stagnation or the rampant corruption that strangled our future, our
revolution was about a principle Americans understand very well: that
government should be by the people and for the people. Our people demonstrated
that, as in America,
devotion to commitment to the values of liberal democracy reflects the
overwhelming will of the people, not just the desires of a
small elite.
In my first visit to the United States as
president of Georgia,
I am proud to express the appreciation of my citizens to President Bush and the
American people for the support provided by the U.S. in our
recent democratic upheaval. Georgians have now regained our freedom, defended
our liberty, and we have fully embraced democracy, economic liberalization, and
the rule of law.
The past three months witnessed hope triumph over despair and
empowerment replace disenfranchisement. But we know the most difficult steps
remain in front of us. Our national goals of full integration into
Euro-Atlantic institutions will require years of diligent effort, consistent
reforms, and patient progress. While we welcome and desire help from our
friends abroad, we realize that success will depend on Georgian decisions and
Georgian deeds.
We are combating the pervasive corruption that paralyzed our state and
demoralized our people. We face difficult challenges in alleviating poverty,
consolidating democracy, increasing economic activity, restructuring our
government, reforming our military, and attracting foreign investment. We are
heartened by offers of support from NATO and European Union members, and we are
steadfast in our aspiration to become full members of these organizations at
the earliest possible opportunity.
We have to re-establish Georgia's
territorial integrity through peaceful resolution of conflict in Abkhazia. We
would welcome an increased international and especially a U.S. role in
the peace process. Guaranteeing Georgia's
sovereignty will also require the elimination of abandoned Soviet arms
stockpiles and, most importantly, the guarantee that the only foreign military
forces in Georgia
are those that have been invited. That is not the case today, with more than
3,000 Russian troops on sovereign Georgian soil. Too often in the past, Russia increased
instability in our region, and its "peacekeeping" was rather a
"piece-keeping" -- trying to retain pieces of the former empire.
After recent meetings with President Putin in Moscow, however, I am
increasingly hopeful that Russia's current
leadership recognizes that Georgian territorial integrity benefits the entire
region. Indeed, if Russia
is willing to adopt a modern, 21st-century approach to its relations with Georgia -- one
grounded in respect for the sovereignty and dignity of the Georgian people -- I
am sure we can enhance our cooperation and advance our mutual interests. In Georgia, we are
ready for new dialogue; our goal is responsible and friendly relations with all
of our neighbors. Russia is a very
important trade partner for Georgia. We share
historic and cultural and above all human ties and we need to normalize our
political relations.
We enjoy good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan. Our
powerful NATO neighbor, Turkey, has
helped us at critical moments. Together with Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria, we seek
the creation of a secure and stable Black Sea
regional security system that furthers our integration with the West.
Full integration with the West will aid Georgia, and it
will contribute to the West's security and prosperity as well. By avoiding
violence and disintegration during a difficult political transition, Georgia stands as
a demonstration that real stability comes only with democracy. Georgia's
geographic location and our strategic orientation enables
us to work with the West in addressing 21st-century threats. We are on the
front lines in combating global terrorism, trafficking of humans and illicit
drugs, and proliferation of weapons -- both conventional and unconventional. We
have already begun efforts to provide new energy resources to Europe
and beyond with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and the South
Caucasus gas pipelines. Opportunities will
expand throughout our region as frozen conflicts are resolved and economic
reforms take hold.
Georgia
and the United
States enjoy a
strong partnership rooted in shared values and common interests. We appreciate the
years of generous financial assistance provided by the United States. Its
investment helped create the human and political infrastructure required for
free and fair elections. Georgians were gratified to hear U.S. Secretary of
State Colin Powell, at my recent inauguration, reiterate President Bush's
commitment to continue support for our reform and integration.
At my inauguration, I dedicated my presidency to the Georgian people: to
all those who have suffered and even given their lives to preserve our freedom;
to the children of Georgia
whose future we must rebuild; and to the re-establishment of total territorial
integrity throughout Georgia.
In so doing, I am committed to leading Georgia back into
the Euro-Atlantic fold -- to stand once again with our Western partners to
build a better future.
Georgia
is located on the frontier of freedom: at the crossroads of Europe,
Asia, and the Middle
East. Our past identity and our future destiny lie
in the values and aspirations that unite the Euro-Atlantic community. Today, we
are on our way home but we know our journey has only begun. The Georgian people
are determined to complete this journey. I am confident that, working with our
friends, we will reach our destination.
Mr. Saakashvili is president of Georgia.
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