Political Chief Bridget Brink Discusses U.S. Elections in Akhaltsikhe
On November 8, Political/Economic Chief Bridget Brink, Political Officer Christopher W. Smith, and Political Assistant Mako Ghoghoberidze met with students of the American Studies Department of Akhaltsike University in the ethnic minority region of Samstkhe-Javakheti. Ms. Brink made a presentation on the November 7 Congressional Elections in the U.S. She also emphasized the main points of her meetings in the region: that the U.S. is committed to the integration of minorities into Georgia's political and economic development and that the October 5 local elections were a key step in Georgia's consolidation of its democracy. She emphasized the U.S. financial commitment to the region, including over $100 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation to pave the road from Alkhalkhalaki to Tbilisi as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in USAID projects to support the growth of small businesses and effective local governance. She expressed hope that the newly-elected representatives will use their increased powers to be responsive to the needs of the people they represent. The group, all but one of whom were women, were interested in the impact that the U.S. elections would have on foreign policy in Georgia. They also talked about what their own professional and personal aspirations and were interested to hear about life for women in America.
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