A U.S. diplomat urged the Georgian government Monday to «restore the momentum of democratic reform» to the former Soviet republic by immediately lifting a state of emergency and freeing all television stations to broadcast the news, according to AP. The tough message from U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew J. Bryza reflected concern in Washington over the steps taken by Georgia's U.S.-friendly president to crush anti-government demonstrations last week. Speaking to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, Bryza said he had been given the impression that the Georgian government was moving toward lifting the state of emergency «quite quickly.» Bryza, who also met with opposition leaders, planned to hold talks with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili before leaving Tuesday. Saakashvili last week called early presidential elections for Jan. 5 to defuse the political crisis, the worst he has faced in nearly four years in office.
