Damnation and praise from USA

US Department of State published the annual report on human rights in the world. Overseas experts focused on the assessment of over 190 world countries. Georgian authorities were optimistic even about criticism from Washington because Russia is scolded much more fiercely.

In reality many were knocked down in the lengthy report presented by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. As usual Russia, China, North Korea and Cuba were severely criticized. Xenophobia in the German Federal Republic was a cause for concern. There was bewilderment about the USA's violent methods of inquiry against Guantanamo detainees. Georgia was reminded of intimidation of voters at the time of last year's parliamentary elections.

According to ITAR-TASS the situation in Georgia is described like this: "President Mikheil Saakashvili was reelected in an election mainly adhering to European standards; however, the elections also highlighted significant problems, including widespread allegations of intimidation and pressure, flawed vote counting and tabulation processes". The document also asserts that at the time of parliamentary elections in Georgia in May there were "politically motivated detentions" and limitations of mass media.

The accusations against Georgia's government especially in comparison with the list of Russian "sins" seemed insignificant to Tbilisi. Moreover it was decided there that Americans had given them another reason to bite Russia as there is an account of the August events in the report.

Human rights advocates from Washington criticized Russia for its actions in South Ossetia accusing it of "using disproportionate force". As Reuters informs with reference to the report the White House expresses regret over Russia's plans to deploy military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgia's authorities forgetting about criticism against them presented their own interpretations of the State Dept product. "This report is another signal for Russia. It means Russia is a state that nurtures autocracy, that invades a neighboring country in an aggressive way", - the Chairman of Georgian Parliament Foreign Relations Committee Akaky Minashvili told Rustavi-2 TV. Vice Speaker of the Parliament Mikhail Machavariani considered that the judgments contained in the report "are another guarantee for Georgia that the August events will not be repeated".

Another Vice Speaker, Levan Vepkhadze, made an unexpected conclusion: the Department of State's report on human rights shows the USA's support of Saakashvili and their reluctance towards change of power.

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