Georgia ? A U.S. diplomat urged the government of this former Soviet republic Monday to “restore the momentum of democratic reform” by immediately lifting a state of emergency and freeing all television stations to broadcast the news.

The tough message from 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 was given the impression the Georgian government was moving toward lifting the state of emergency “quite quickly.”

Bryza, who also met with opposition leaders, planned to talk with President Mikhail Saakashvili before leaving Tuesday.

Saakashvili last week called an early presidential election for Jan. 5 in an attempt to defuse the political crisis, the worst he has faced in nearly four years in office.

The move caught the fragmented opposition off guard, but several factions announced Monday that they had agreed on a backing a single candidate to challenge the president.