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Current AffairsBush compares fall of communism to democratic elections in Iraq and sends his regards to Vaclav Havel
On Thursday, the US President, George Bush, visited Bratislava to hold one
of the most anticipated meetings during his five-day trip to Europe. Mr
Bush met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and with the backing of
his advisors and senior politicians back home and in Europe called on the
Russian president to reassert his commitment to democracy in Russia. Mr
Bush also met with Slovak politicians, addressed a crowd of several
thousand that had gathered on Hviezdoslav Square in Bratislava, and met
various other people, including former Czechoslovak dissidents.
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Current AffairsSlovakia proudly hosts Bush-Putin summit, US President to meet Czech 'Freedom Fighters'
"You can imagine how happy and proud I am now because it will be the
first time that Slovakia hosts the US President and this is more than a
clear signal that Slovakia is an ally of the United States. I am sure that
this is a very strong message not only for the Slovak people but also for
all new democracies in the region." The Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas
Dzurinda, proudly representing the country chosen by US President George
Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to host their landmark meeting.
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Current AffairsPresidential elections in Ukraine raise concern in Prague
The disputed Presidential elections in Ukraine have sent ripples of concern
around the world, with Europe and the United States backing opposition
claims that the voting was marred by fraud. Czechs too are watching the
developments with concern. Before the Second World War, part of today's
Ukraine was Czechoslovak territory; in the days of the Czechoslovak
federation, the country bordered on Ukraine and today there is a large
Ukrainian community in Prague and other Czech cities, many working in the
construction industry. For a Czech perspective on what is happening in
Kiev, Daniela Lazarova spoke to Petr Kratochvil of the Prague Institute
for International Relations.
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Current AffairsKlaus, Havel divided over 'authoritarian' tendencies of Russia's president in wake of Beslan tragedy
Former Czech President Vaclav Havel and 100 international figures sent an
open letter to the heads of all European Union and NATO states this week
criticizing President Vladimir Putin for allegedly using the Beslan school
tragedy to "further undermine" democracy in Russia. The current
Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, has taken a very different stance and in
fact came to his Russian counterpart's defense, saying there is no proof
that Mr Putin is jailing his political opponents or systematically
suppressing freedoms. More
