"A beacon of democracy." That's what George W. Bush has called the pro-Western, former Soviet republic of Georgia. There is no doubt in my mind that Georgia exemplifies President Bush's ideal democracy.
Opponents say [Georgian President Mikheil] Saakashvili's government has become increasingly authoritarian in ways that echo Soviet days, allowing judicial abuse and political intimidation. They note that former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili, after accusing the president of corruption and a murder conspiracy, then went on television to recant his claims. Now abroad, he has reiterated his accusations.
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Tina Khidasheli, an opposition leader, said in an interview that she had been beaten and hit with a tear gas canister when police moved in. She blamed the violence in part on the United States' "unconditional support" for Georgia's ruling party, adding that she thought her country's leadership would have respected the rule of law more if U.S. officials had insisted it be upheld.
"For four years they did not question anything Saakashvili was doing," she said. "Beacon of democracy? The shining of democracy was in the streets today."
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In his television address, Saakashvili said Georgian police had done what police would do in any democratic country, including Switzerland and the United States, but conceded that the events of the day would not help Georgia's image abroad.
Increasing authoritarianism. Judicial abuse. Political intimidation. Disrespect for the rule of law.
Oh, how I wish I could say: "No, President Saakashvili, that is not how we do things in the United States."
But, thanks to George W. Bush, I can't.