On 21 July, opposition leaders gathered to present an appeal to Joe Biden, which they will formally hand over to the U.S. Vice President on the day of his arrival to Georgia.

Today is a historic day for Georgia. We have again gathered on the Freedom Square to once again re-affirm our loyalty to Western and democratic values and welcome U.S. Vice President Mr. Joe Biden.

In the present day, Georgia is the country which needs changes the most; changes which are necessary for normal, democratic development of our country. It has been more than 100 days now since we are demanding changes, in the same way, as President Barak Obama’s new Administration defined it as its objective and beckoned the entire world community.

Today, numerous parties, NGOs, and Georgian public has gathered on the Freedom Square, with the same demand as we had during the times of the “Rose Revolution”, U.S. President’s visit and even earlier – during the collapse of the Soviet Union – “To live in a Free and Democratic Country”.

We are the people, who during the Rose Revolution of 2003 were demanding Government elected through fair elections and democratic State institutions, justice and fairness, as a precondition for the country’s strengthening and the only way of its development.

Despite unconditional support of the U.S. for Georgia’s democratic development, this goal has not been achieved till now. State institutions still do not serve people; private businesses are still under State influence, the most significant democratic institutions – Media, Parliament, Judiciary- are controlled by the clannish ruling group.

During these years, instead of strengthening civil institutions, unconditional support to specific individuals, has returned Georgia to the authoritarian reality of the past, which has become the main cause of destabilization in the country; increasing gulf between the public and Government; insecurity of the country in the face of external enemy and almost  irreversible crisis.  Constantly ignoring democratic principles have been followed by excessive self-confidence of the ruling faction, the August war could be considered as one of the tragic outcomes.

Saakashvili has betrayed ideals of the Rose Revolution and the goals chosen by the people. It has stepped on the path of authoritarianism. With is adventurous actions, it has made Georgia lose the perspective of real independence and membership of the Euro Atlantic family in the nearest future. Instead of restoring territorial integrity, he dragged Georgia into a provocative war, which resulted in the loss of further territories. Instead of developing free economy, major economic leverages have been handed over to Russia and Russian capital. Power of Georgia as a State is reducing by the day, as well as the trust it enjoys.

Assistance provided by the U.S. to support Georgia’s independence and development is unprecedented and unmatched. 
Naturally, Georgia is expecting specific steps from the new U.S. Administration for restoring democratic institutions: army, which is on the brink of destruction as a result of the war and political repressions; police, which is terrorised and devoid of functions as a result of its ultra-polarisation; judiciary, which as a result of political pressures has turned into punitive machinery of the ruling group; media, which is simply dying today; private property, which is utterly unprotected; free economy and business, which is under the pressure of the State racketeering.

Expectations towards you are significant!

Hope in Georgia has not been extinguished!

Struggle for genuine democracy continues!

We look forward to your visit to Georgia with special hope, and believe that the approach of your new Administration will help people to regain their free choice and finally lead the country out of its gloomy past.

We express our hope that the United States would support the people’s will for democratic institutions to be restored in Georgia, have fair and free early elections announced, media freed from State censorship, innocent people given the opportunity of legal remedies, and for us to be able to achieve our goal – free and fair elections – not from the streets, but through being involved in normal political processes!