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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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Libya: The game with the West isn't overTwo years after officially renouncing international terrorism, Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi is still an enigma for most western observers. Surrounded by domestic and foreign foes, his main goal is to keep in power and steer his country away from the global confrontation between the West and the radical Islam. Turning his de facto monarchy into de jure monarchy may be a good transitional solution, as we have already concluded in our previous analyses. There are however some problems to be solved. First, it seems not everyone is betting on the same heir to the crown. Second, it seems Qaddafi-father is far from ready to accept everything coming from the West. It's impossible to overestimate the importance of Libya for the West. It has oil, it's geographically too close to Europe, it has a history of defiance against the imperialism, and so it can be easily turned into new base for terrorist attacks. Given its highly centralized political system and lack of official opposition, it suffices to be ruled by another eccentric ruler like Qaddafi ten or twenty years ago. It seems his favorite candidate for the thrown is his third son Seif el-Islam. If this candidate wins the prize the West will be satisfied. If we can judge from his current statements, this son advocates something like market openness, more political freedoms and better-protected human rights. All of these sound like music to the Western ears. There are however many problems with this candidate as well as with this orchestrated transition. First, Qaddafi-father is still too young for a dictator to step down voluntarily. He's still 63, which gives him at least 10 more years of power unless he's incurably ill. On the other hand, Seif el-Islam is too young for the crown, he's just 33, older than his father at the time of his coup in 1969, but still very inexperienced to make it alone. What we see is an attempt by Qaddafi-father to increase gradually the jurisdictions of his son without giving him too much too soon. Despite this evolution the father is still firmly in control of the situation. Everyone knows that he's the supreme boss. His third son's statements only test the soil for new ideas. Everyone knows who's behind these statements. If some problems occur, they may be easily ignored as personal and unofficial opinions. Qaddafi-father may still be in control, but as in any monarchy the weak point comes at the time of transition, especially when there are no clear rules of succession and the potential heirs as in Libya are several. Any institutional policy no matter how does it look like is a source of wealth, power and prestige for particular groups. In this sense those surrounding Qaddafi-father may perceive any political, economic and ideological reform as a threat. The alternatives to the peaceful transition from Qaddafi-father to Seif el-Islam are at least three. First, the transition may go out of control producing popular revolt, making the army again an important player in power distribution. Second, the "old guard" may choose another candidate in order to stick to the past system without any changes. Third, an Islamic regime may be installed that will turn the country against the West. The Islamic movement now is outlawed and its leaders are in jail. This situation however may change if the transition isn't done in an orderly manner. Islam is a powerful ideological force in Libya and even Qaddafi-father doesn't dare not to pay attention to it. In a country where nothing significant happens without Qaddafi-father approval, allowing mass protests against the Western ideological crusade and closing the embassy in Denmark are facts that should be taken with extreme caution. Between the West and Libya the game isn't over yet.
Libya country profile: --------------------
See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Libya.
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