Congressman Cohen Asks Experts on Georgia about the Impact of American-Sponsored Media and U.S. A.I.D.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the House Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today expressed his disappointment at the dissolution of democracy in the Republic of Georgia.

In a hearing entitled “From Partner to Problem: Georgia’s Anti-American Turn,” Congressman Cohen focused on the role of American programs like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Voice of America, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S. A.I.D) in promoting freedom and improving health, education and agriculture in the country. All the witnesses agreed that these U.S.-funded programs played a crucial role in promoting democracy in Georgia, and they will be sorely missed after Trump dismantled them earlier this year. These programs helped the Georgian people as well as fostered good relations between the U.S. and Georgia.

See huis opening statement here.

See his exchange with hearing witnesses here.

Witnesses at today’s hearing were:

• President Salome Zourabichvili;  
• Tinatin Khidashel, Former Minister of Defense of Georgia;
• Luke Coffey, Senior Fellow, Center on Europe and Eurasia, Hudson Institute

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