The International Republican Institute (IRI) has responded to accusations by Bidzina Ivanishvili in his interview with the Imedi TV Company. The statement by the IRI says that in his interview, the leader of the Georgian Dream -- Democratic Georgia has cast doubt on objectivity and efficiency of the U.S. backed NGOs. In response to Ivanishvili's accusations, the IRI says that, along with its partners, it has endeavored for more than two decades to develop democracy in Georgia.
The statement issued by the IRI is presented below:
Fact Sheet: International Republican Institute Work in Georgia
The Georgian IMEDI television station recently aired segments challenging the neutrality of the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Georgia. This was followed by an extensive interview with the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia Party Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, in which he even more openly challenged the neutrality and effectiveness of U.S.-funded NGOs. Below are some key facts on this matter and on IRI’s longstanding commitment to working across party lines in Georgia.
➖IRI Georgia and Board Vice-Chair Randy Scheunemann➖
Orion Strategies, of which IRI Board of Directors Vice Chair Randy Scheunemann is president, recently entered into a contract to provide government and public relations services to the United National Movement party (UNM). He registered as a representative of a foreign political party, as required under U.S. law, and proactively disclosed his registration to IRI.
To ensure that there is no conflict of interest between his private-sector work and IRI’s work, Mr. Scheunemann recused himself from all involvement with all IRI work in Georgia, in accordance with his obligations under IRI’s Board of Directors Code of Ethics. Per this policy, he will not provide input into, receive non-public information on, or otherwise influence IRI’s work in Georgia.
Since Mr. Scheunemann disclosed his registration to IRI, IRI has not provided Mr. Scheunemann with any non-public information or material regarding Georgia, and will not do so going forward.
➖IRI in Georgia: A Proven Record of Working Across the Political Spectrum➖
IRI works with a range of democratic political parties in Georgia to strengthen Georgia’s democracy. IRI provides a range of support services to all major political parties in Georgia at both the central and regional levels, regardless of whether the party is in power or in opposition. The Institute will continue doing so throughout the duration of its current grant from USAID, which extends until 2023.
Over more than two decades of working with partners to strengthen Georgian democracy, IRI has worked under multiple Georgian administrations of varying political orientations and has remained steadfastly nonpartisan.
Under our USAID-supported Elections and Political Transitions award, IRI currently works with multiple political parties, each of which will compete in the 2020 parliamentary elections, and will continue offering its services to parties that advocate for democratic values in Georgia.
In addition to our political party development support, IRI has devoted the past 21 years in Georgia to increasing access to the political process for underrepresented groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities and national minorities, and has helped to broaden civic participation of Georgians at all levels of government in order to ensure the full representation of Georgians in their democracy. This work will continue under our Elections and Political Transitions award, supported by USAID.
IRI provides local government actors across every region in Georgia with ongoing support, training, and consultation, with the aim of delivering a greater representation of the entire population, improving service delivery and empowering Georgians to take an active role at all levels of government. IRI works in collaboration with Georgia’s national Parliamentary and Ministerial institutions in their ambitions to fulfill their obligations under the Open Government Partnership.
IRI is proud of our fruitful partnerships across Georgia’s political spectrum and is grateful to the Georgian people for the opportunity to accompany them on their democratic journey.
IRI has been conducting polling in Georgia since 2003. We work with well-trained and reputable partners that utilize a rigorous set of methodological standards in-line with Gallup International; publish our methodology transparently, and have worked with all political parties over time on how they can build platforms responsive to Georgians’ attitudes and needs.
The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide. Further media inquiries may be directed to [email protected].
