On January 1, 2017—eight years ago next month—my father, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), visited Georgia. It was the last of many visits to the country and people he loved and respected.
That day, he shook hands with Georgian farmer Data Vanishvili, affectionately known as Data Grandpa (Data Papa) in Georgian. the property was unfairly separated It is separated from the rest of Georgia by a Russian barbed wire fence. My father knew that Russia was Georgia's occupier and enemy, and that the only chance to protect Georgia's freedom and independence lay with the West.
Sadly, like my father, Data Papa then passed away.. His wife Valya survived, may God be with her. But unlike my father, who spent his final days at our beloved Hidden Valley Ranch in Arizona, Daddy Data died away from his land.
The situation in Georgia today breaks my heart. John McCain passionately believed in the Georgian people and Georgian democracy. He saw the fiery spirit of freedom on their faces and believed in them.
If my father were alive today, he would not have recognized the state of Georgia we see today. A man who cruelly rules the country from behind the scenes. Security authorities have beaten journalists and imprisoned politicians and some members of civil society. The military, sworn to protect the constitution, remains silent.
Western countries were stunned. Because the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe was unable to tell in its report what their eyes actually saw. An election that was inflated by perhaps 200,000 illegal votes, and a regime bent on staying in power. All costs were paid, including crushing Georgians' hopes for EU membership.
President Salome Zurabichvili has been an example for her courageous stance towards the people of Georgia and for proposing a pragmatic way out of the current political impasse by appointing a new Central Election Commission. Holding new elections that are truly free and fair.
Without new legitimate elections and the approval of the President of the Republic, the current parliamentary seats will be illegitimate. All subsequent actions of that parliament, including appointing a new government, passing legislation, and moving early to elect a new president, are invalid and unconstitutional.
U.S. and European leaders must speak out and make it clear that they do not recognize the results of October's elections or the formation of a new parliament or government. They should support President Zurabichvili's call for new, free and fair elections and impose sanctions on the Georgian Dream leadership until such elections are held.
20% of Georgian territory is already occupied by Russia. But now Russia is getting what it really wants: a Georgian government that will crush the dreams of the Georgian people and submit the country's freedoms to Russian domination.
Georgian Dream's belief that the election of Donald Trump as US president will resolve its differences with the US is horribly wrong. The new president talks about how the Georgian Dream verbally attacks the United States, substitutes Chinese companies for U.S. companies in building ports and infrastructure, and poses for photos with Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in Tehran. When I saw Taka, mourning the death of iranian presidenthe will have little doubt as to where Georgia's dream actually lies.
It's not too late for the Georgian Dream to change direction. Without international legitimacy, recognition, and the consent of its own people, governance will be difficult and Georgia will quickly take several steps back politically and economically. Furthermore, Georgia will be isolated from the West and will face alone the Russian threat, occupation, and other serious challenges to its territorial integrity and independence.
Truly free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people of Georgia, not just one person, can restore Georgia's reputation and put Georgia back on track with a legitimate government. Only through such steps can the true dreams of the Georgian people be realized.
jack mccain He is a director of the McCain Institute.
