West must aid democracy – in Georgia and Russia

State Department's Daniel Fried defended Georgia from its detractors at today's Congressional hearing

The West must not give up on democracy in Russia or the wider region, a Congressional hearing on U.S.-Russia relations after the Georgia crisis, heard today. A “big chunk” of U.S. assistance to the region should be for democracy assistance, especially independent media, Stanford University’s Michael H. McFaul told the House Committee on International Affairs.

Some claim Georgia is a small state not worthy of support, noted Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. But “realism dictates that we support our friends and our principles.” The U.S. and the West must stand by any state that is attacked because it freely chooses to develop in a democratic direction and not be consigned to Russia’s sphere of influence.

McFaul was dismayed that the debate on the West’s response to Russian aggression was simplistically polarized between advocates of isolating Moscow and supporters of “business-as-usual”. The West should continue to talk with Russia on matters of mutual interest but also “keep the door open for a different Russia, a democratic Russia”. He criticized Congressional cuts in funding for democracy in the region and advocated special emphasis on promoting the free flow of information in Russia through greater support for the likes of Voice of America and RFE-RL.

The Georgia crisis represents a “very grave moment in international history”, said the American Enterprise Institute’s Frederick Kagan. The Kremlin’s insistence that it reserved the right to intervene in defense of Russians in neighboring states represents a “limitless declaration of de facto suzerainty” over former Soviet states.  

Both McFaul and Kagan stressed that the Georgia crisis is an issue of major strategic significance. This should not be the moment when the dream of a Europe whole and free started to unravel, said McFaul. Kagan stressed Georgia’s significance as a conduit for Central Asian energy supplies to the West, concluding that “this is a battle for the Caucasus – and it matters who wins.”

The U.S. Administration has announced a $1 billion aid package for Tbilisi, but the nature of the aid has drawn criticism. “All of the funds are earmarked for economic support and reconstruction; none are aimed at strengthening democratic institutions or civil society,” notes the Washington Post’s Jackson Diehl. “Perhaps that’s necessary to deny Putin his victory. But it won’t help solve Georgia’s leadership problem.”