According to the US sources, in April of this year the Georgian president will pay an official visit to Washington where he will meet with the US president.
This will be the first meeting between Saakashvili and Obama. In addition, the Georgian president will hold meetings with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other officials.
Meanwhile, the Georgian government finalized a six-month contract with the Podesta Group in January 2010, an authoritative lobbying company in Washington.
According to the $ 300,000 contract, the lobbying company will provide the Georgian authorities with lobbying in Congress and the US executive authorities, as well as provide media-related services. According to the documentation provided by the company to the US Justice Department, it will also organize meetings between representatives of the Georgian authorities and US Congressmen and executive officials, Georgian media reported.
The Podesta Group was founded in 1988 by brothers Tony and John Podesta. Today, Tony is considered one of the most influential lobbyists in Washington, and his brother John, has served as co-chairman of President Barack Obama's administration.
Also in January, the Georgian government signed a contract with the lobbying company of former Congressman Richard Gefhart for $ 436,800. Both contracts were signed on behalf of the Georgian government by National Security Council Secretary Eka Tkeshelashvili.
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