**US Embassy in Georgia Accused of Trying to Blackmail the Government**
The founder and honorary chairman of the ruling party “Georgian Dream”, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has responded strongly to a statement made by the US Embassy in Georgia today. In his special statement, Ivanishvili accused the embassy of trying to use personal blackmail to influence the Georgian government’s decisions.
According to Ivanishvili, he offered the US Ambassador a meeting with the Prime Minister, but this offer was refused. He sees this refusal as evidence that the American side is indeed considering using personal blackmail to get what they want from the Georgian government.
**Ivanishvili Explains Why He Thinks Personal Blackmail Was Involved**
Ivanishvili pointed out that the Prime Minister of Georgia, who would have been a key figure in any meeting with the US Ambassador, has not come under any formal or informal sanctions. Therefore, he could not have had any personal reason to fear a meeting.
However, Ivanishvili believes that by demanding a meeting only with him – as founder and honorary chairman of “Georgian Dream” – the American side is trying to use him for their own purposes. He thinks that they would only be interested in such a meeting if it could be used to influence the Prime Minister or other members of the Georgian government.
**A Rejection of Personal Blackmail**
Ivanishvili made it clear that he and his party are not afraid of being blackmailed by the American side. He said that any fundamental decision regarding the state’s interests would involve the whole team, including the Prime Minister.
He hopes that the American Embassy will respond positively to a proposal from the Georgian government to restart their strategic partnership from scratch with a clear plan. Each leader of Georgia’s government is ready to work together with the Americans if they show genuine interest in resetting their relations.
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