Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 1 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze fears social upheaval in the country. He told Asaval-Dasavali weekly today that a rebellion is brewing due to the deteriorating social situation.
"High prices lead to starvation," Shevardnadze said. "Most of the population faces this threat. This is the background fueling the threat of a revolt."
The former president stressed that the fact that there has not yet been a rebellion demonstrates the tolerance of the Georgian people.
"However, I advise the authorities not to abuse their patience," he said. "It is limited."
Shevardnadze was forced to resign during the 2003 Rose Revolution.
He also noted said that people are burning themselves out of desperation, recalling a week last week during which Nana Pipia, a refugee from Abkhazia, tried to burn herself in front of the Georgian IDP, Acccommodation and Refugees Ministry.
"Let President (Mihkeil) Saakashvili sell his residence and spend that money on the needs of refugees," he said. "It is not worth having such a residence when people are hungry."