Opinion from Odessa: the Appointment of Saakashvili Did not Make People There Happy

• 06.03.2015, 20:50
•  World,  Interview

The appointment of ex-president of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili to the post of governor of Odessa, brought many reactions and became the topic of discussions on what  this appointment in the city will change.

"Armedia" IAA presents an exclusive interview with an analyst of the project "Odnako, Eurasia" from Odessa Ivan Lizan.     

 - How do the citizens of Odessa feel about the appointment of Mikhail Saakashvili as a governor of the city?

 - The government of Kiev has the support of only 10% of the population of Odessa. That’s why the appointment of Saakashvili did not make the people happy. They associate Saakashvili with the aggression against South Ossetia, clinical Russophobia, political repressions in Georgia and eating of ties.

Active citizens reminded Saakashvili who he is by wearing ties with the words "For Misha". And Saakashvili by himself understands that he is in the hostile atmosphere and is always accompanied with bodyguards carrying guns.

Officials and criminals are also not happy for this appointment. Officials understand that a part of them will lose their jobs, hence also money, the other part will have to make "reforms by Saakashvili". Criminals are afraid of cleansing like it was Georgia where thieves in law were put under pressure. Anyway Saakashvili will be surrounded by people, through whom criminals will find a way to come to an agreement.

A more creative part of the population, bourgeoisie is happy the same way as it was during any changes. They are always happy for new people and in this case hoping that Saakashvili will solve all the problems at once. But the happiness will soon be gone, as it was the case before.

- What are the main expectations of the citizens? What reforms does the city need?

 Actually, the reforms of Saakashvili will be the following:

1. Mass dismissals in the state apparatus. The posts of the dismissed people will be given either to the stupid careerists or to ignorants– there are no other politicians in the Ukraine.

2. An increase of the struggle against Russophiles in the city, that means Saakashvili will struggle against Odessa, trying to break it and ukrainize,

3. Privatization of the last state property- sea ports and the factory, embezzlement of public funds, etc. Sahakashvili understands that his appointment is temporarily up to the moment of the decision of Washington and will use the chance to increase his property.

4. Increase of the blockade of Transdnestria and probably help to the aggression against not recognized state.

Does the city need such reforms? Of course, no. The city needs adequate administration, better not Ukrainian one, and mass cleansing among officials and injection of fresh blood, but not the same as in Ukraine. Odessa doesn’t want to be part of such Ukraine and the tragedy of 02.05.2014, its anniversary and the approach of the citizens towards the 70^th Anniversary of the Great Victory are the most vivid proofs of it.