Georgian ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze dies at 86

BBC ^ | 7 July 2014 | BBC

[wetphoenix]

~Shevardnadze’s rapid rise in Soviet Georgia’s political hierarchy was the result of his campaign against corruption.[10] By the time Shevardnadze had become leader Georgia had become the most corruption-infested republic in the Soviet Union. The reign of Vasil Mzhavanadze, Shevardnadze’s predecessor in office, had been characterised by weak leadership, nepotism, despotism, bribery and corruption at the upper echelons of power.[10] Throughout most of his leadership, anti-corruption campaigns were central to his authority and policy. In Georgia corruption had been allowed to grow nearly freely. This had led to serious deformations in the system, an example being that only 68 percent of Georgian goods were exported legally, while goods exported legally from other Soviet Republics amounted close to 100 percent. Shevardnadze rallied up support for his corruption campaigns by establishing the Study of Public Opinion.[14] To combat corruption he indulged himself in subterfuge after halting all external export by dressing up as a peasant, and driving a car filled with tomatoes through the border.[15] After his personal subterfuge the entire Georgian border police was purged. While never proven, it is said that Shevardnadze after taking office, asked all leading officials to show their left hands; he then ordered those who used Western produced watches to replace them with Soviet ones. This story portrayed Shevardnadzes as an active battler against corruption.[16] His campaign against corruption was largely unsuccessful and when he returned to Georgia in 1992, corruption was still an epidemic problem~

It seems like he was an expert on riding a bus over people.
Not to mention his own corruption was a reason behing his demise.

[RitchieAprile]

what a cool name. just rolls off the tongue.