At the news briefing in Washington on January 22 Deputy Spokesman of the U.S. Department of State Adam Ereli said that the United States is “optimistic about the future of Georgia, as witnessed by the recent [January 4 presidential] elections.”
The delegation of the U.S. Department of State led by Secretary Colin Powell will arrive in Tbilisi on January 25 to attend the inauguration of President-elect Mikheil Saakashvili.
Adam Ereli said Colin Powell will meet with Saakashvili and other Georgian officials, as well as members of the Georgian public and other foreign leaders attending the inauguration.
He also said that the ways in which the United States can be helpful to Georgia’s continued democratic and economic development are planned to be discussed during the visit.
Following the visit to Georgia, Secretary Powell will travel to Russia.
Adam Ereli reiterated once again that the United States is looking for Russia to fulfill its Istanbul commitments over pullout of its military bases from the territory of Georgia.