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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.
He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.
In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.
Global Real Estate Project
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Georgia: Not Enough To Be An AllyThe former Soviet republic of Georgia (don't mix it up with the state of Georgia) for the last 12 years has strived to escape from the Russian dependence. The price to pay for this independence is very high: local militias, backed by Moscow, occupy some parts of the country*. Russia uses its economic power to cut the power supplies to its southern neighbor whenever it pleases. The president Eduard Shevardnadze, who rules the country since 1992, has been targeted by murderers several times. In this situation many foreigners, even those who like traveling, prefer not to include this country into their plans. Unfortunately it isn't enough to be an American ally to attract sufficient investments and to put in order one country. This year Georgia again irritated Moscow by supporting politically the United States against Iraq. Further, in March the Georgian Parliament ratified the US-Georgian military agreement, allowing the US government to use the military facilities on its soil. The Russian lower house of Parliament (the State Duma) adopted the statement on April 16, expressing great concern over this bilateral agreement. Moscow is again infuriated against Tbilisi, which could mean only more sufferings for the Georgians. Some 15 years ago the country was one of the richest former Soviet Union republics. Now it's one of the poorest post-Soviet states. Sharply contrasting with the people's hospitality is the criminal situation, among the worst in this region. The crime is on the rise and many western sources report about robbing or kidnapping foreigners for ransom, not only in the province but also in the capital. Local gangs have also targeted some foreign experts and observers. As a matter of fact, some foreigners after visiting Georgia have expressed only excellent feelings without complaining about the security situation in the country. Nevertheless it's wise to follow the State Department advice and be in pairs or in groups while traveling across the country. The minimal monthly salary in Georgia is $9 (yes, nine dollars!) so it's quite misleading to read some internet sources suggesting that foreign investors should be ready to pay between $150 and $600 a month to hire some local worker. Again somewhat misleading seem the rents for apartments and office spaces. Some local brokerage companies offer rents matching those in the developed countries in Europe or America. The truth is that the rents are lower than in most countries. For the tourists the real problem is that Georgian refugees that fled Abkhazia some 10 years ago occupy many budget and middle-class hotels in Tbilisi. The situation like this in Georgia can't last forever. The first set of options assume that Georgia still be included in the western political, economic and military sphere; the second that gradually it will be suffocated by Russia. Only the first option could bring some sort of prosperity to the country although in a distant future. Until then Georgia will remain a hot spot on the map.
* - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
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