US Officials Say Resumption of Closed TV’s Broadcasts Essential for Georgia Polls

Text of report by Georgian Mze TV on 29 November

[Presenter] US Deputy Secretary of State Daniel Fried has made quite an acute assessment of the closure of Imedi TV station, saying that, by closing it, the authorities made a mistake that cannot be forgiven.

Within the framework of the OSCE ministerial [meeting in Madrid], Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili has already met US Deputy Secretary of State Daniel Fried and his assistant Matthew Bryza.

The head of the foreign department [Bezhuashvili] also met the Belgian and French foreign ministers, Karel de Gucht and Bernard Kouchner respectively. The sides discussed recent events in Georgia and Georgian-Russian relations. It was noted at one of the meetings that it is impossible to change a neighbour. Therefore, the two countries themselves should regulate problems in their relations.

[Fried] Georgia confirms that it is moving towards democracy not only in word, but also in deeds, but, at the same time, things like the police storming of Imedi TV station are happening in your country. This is perceived as the restriction of freedom of speech. This is why we are urging Georgia and working together too to restore Imedi TV’s broadcasts. Media freedom and independence are an indispensable factor for a democratic country ahead of presidential election [on 5 January].

[Bryza] Presidential election should be free and independent. For this purpose, people should have the feeling of freedom. Restoration of Imedi TV’s broadcasts will be a precondition for this. The problem because of which Imedi was closed may be a problem for any other Georgian channel. This is why it is necessary to put the code of ethics into effect, and we too will help Georgia to achieve this.

Originally published by Mze TV, Tbilisi, in Georgian 1400 29 Nov 07.

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