Bidzina Ivanishvili Denies Accusations of Targeting U.S. and EU, Issues Warning on Reputational Damage
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Georgian Dream leader Bidzina Ivanishvili published a detailed letter on October 1, denying accusations that he had targeted the U.S. or the EU during his party's campaign. The letter follows comments he made about the "global war party," which were interpreted by some as critical of Western allies. Ivanishvili clarified that his remarks were not aimed at the U.S. or the EU, but rather at a group he claimed holds significant influence over political figures in both regions.
Ivanishvili's letter appeared to be a direct response to a social media post shared earlier by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, which stated, "Bidzina Ivanishvili knows his money linked to Credit Suisse is in the hands of the courts of Bermuda and Singapore, not the U.S. Why is he telling Georgians a different story?" In his response, Ivanishvili refuted these claims, asserting, "The [U.S.] Embassy cannot cite any statement by me personally or any other leader of Georgian Dream, in which we accuse the U.S. or the EU of financial blackmail against us."
The Georgian Dream leader emphasized that his references to the "Global War Party" were not directed at Western nations but at a faction that he believes wields undue influence over politicians and bureaucrats in the U.S. and the EU. He said that this group is manipulating the situation to make it seem as if Georgia is in conflict with the U.S. and the EU, when in fact, his party seeks to protect the reputations of these allies.
Ivanishvili further invoked themes from U.S. political discourse, citing the "deep state" and mentioning U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump and Robert Kennedy Jr. as figures who have raised similar concerns about oligarchic influence and the "war party." He stated that the "Global War Party" is attempting to shield itself by falsely portraying Georgia's situation as a confrontation with the U.S. and EU.
Ivanishvili suggested that continued Western support for the opposition, specifically the National Movement, could damage the reputation of the U.S. and the EU in Georgia. He argued that if Georgians came to believe that a change in government, contrary to their will, was being driven by the U.S. and EU, it would lead to "irreversible" harm to the image of both Western powers in the country.
Ivanishvili reaffirmed that Georgian Dream is working to prevent any such reputational damage to the U.S. and EU in the eyes of the Georgian public.
