New flag, some old poverty

Georgia's new president came to Moscow today to meet with President Putin. Mikhail Saakashvili did not fly there on a presidential jet, but on a regular airline –as a symbol of moderation and simplicity for his country and Russia. Saakashvili wants to close 3 Russian military bases located in Georgia and Russia's promise not to support Ossetia separatists. Our AsiaNews correspondent is in Georgia these days to witness the problems and hopes of a country on the border between Asia and Europe.    

Tblisi (AsiaNews) – A new national flag signals the changeover from the Shevarnadze-ruled Georgia to that of its new president, Mikhail Saakashvili, who took office amidst fanfare and celebrations last Jan. 25 before the American Secretary of State, Colin Powell. 

Lowering its its distinctive reddish-purple, black and white national flag, an old crusade-like flag is raised from the past in its place–with its 1 large red cross and 4 little crosses sewn onto a white background.      

Various interpretations contradict one another. There are those who say the flag belonging to Saakashvili's followers will be imposed on the entire country once he has gained power. Others say that it is linked to a revival of nationalism, as seen in rejecting a flag that has too much to do with the country's Soviet past. 

Finally there are those who say that the new government, desirous of freeing itself from its Russian yoke and wanting to make connections with Europe, wants to demonstrate Georgia's Christian cultural roots –an intention that might well backfire seeing as the draft of the European Constitution makes no reference to the continent's Judeo-Christian heritage. This interpretation is backed by one fact: in front of Parliament there is already the new European banner and flag waving in the air.

Yet what worries today's Georgia is its dramatic economic situation. "They promised us that the kolchoz land would be divided up among those who had worked there," said a farmer from Bale, in the southern part of the country. "And instead the land will be allotted to all to these who submit requests for it. This is unfair."  

The ratio between income and the cost of living has nothing to do with European welfare. With a monthly pension worth 17 lars (8 dollars), prices remain high for ordinary citizens. For example, one kilogram of sugar costs 2 lars, while a kilogram of bread costs 1 lar.     

Throughout farming communities subsistence-level agriculture is commonplace, where farmers have only a few chickens, a couple of cows and a small potato patch to call their own. This spells for a minimal means of sustenance and little food to sell on the market. The situation is much worse in the cites. For example in Tblisi, elderly, poor and homeless people alike are at risk of dying of hunger.   

A large, dark shadow of corruption looms over this sad state of affairs and has greatly influenced daily life. In this country everything can be "bought" and "sold", from military service exemptions (there are actual set prices) to new trains from the Czech Republic sold under the table by the Transport Minster, who is now being tried in court.

Saakashvhili's new government seems to want to rid Georgia of the criminal practices currently gripping its society and economy. This year the United States has pledged 166 million dollars as a contribution to its anti-corruption program.   

• georgia
• saakashvili
• poverty
• corruption
• russia