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One on OneNeal Ascherson - fascinating memories of the Soviet invasion and much more
The British journalist and author Neal Ascherson is widely regarded as one
of the UK's leading experts on central and eastern Europe, and has
experienced some of the key moments in the region's recent history at
first hand. When he visited Prague recently, I asked Neal Ascherson where
his interest in this part of the world had come from. More
Current AffairsFormer Czech dissidents on Ronald Reagan's role in bringing down communism
June 12, 1987: The President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, speaks in
front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin: "General-Secretary
Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union
and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr
Gorbachev, open this gate... Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
More
Current AffairsGrebenicek's re-election as Communist leader signals triumph over reform
Over the weekend, the Communists had their annual party congress, but
anyone who might have expected radical change will have been disappointed.
More
Current AffairsCommunist party celebrates May Day, resigned to EU reality
Most Czechs are looking to the future in the European Union with hope. But
what about those linked to the past? While the country celebrates its EU
accession, the Czech communist party is holding a celebration of its own:
the annual Labour Day gathering in Prague's Letna park. Brian Kenety was
at the event and joins me now in the studio.
More
One on OneMilan Paumer: three times reborn in his journey to freedom
In today's "One on One" I'd like you to sit back and listen to an
extraordinary story of determination on a dangerous journey towards
freedom. The Masin brothers and their fight for democracy is one of the
great stories of 20th century Czechoslovak history. Born to a military
father who was persecuted by the Nazis in the Second World War, the Masins
put to use their military knowledge and started a resistance group after
the communists won elections in Czechoslovakia in 1948. Often regarded, as
the "third brother" is Milan Paumer. He took the time to speak
with me here in the studio at Radio Prague and explains in detail their
escape through Czechoslovakia and East Germany to the West. In October
1953 a group of five men set out for freedom with little resources at a
time of year when temperatures were around 0 degrees. The five men were
Josef and Ctirad Masin, Milan Paumer, Vaclav Sveda and Zbynek Janata. Only
the Masin brothers and Milan Paumer were to survive. Mr. Paumer, who now
lives in the Czech Republic once again, describes this period in his as a
series of births, three to be exact. Here he uses the diminutive of Josef,
Pepa, and calls the brothers 'Mason', the name they adopted in the US. His
story begins in the Ucrol train station.
More
Current AffairsA poignant reminder - a man who fought his way to freedom
After the communists came into power in Czechoslovakia in 1948, a small
group of military-trained men formed a resistance group led by the
brothers Josef and Ctirad Masin. The story of the Masin brothers and their
fight for freedom is one of the great controversies of 20th century
Czechoslovak history. Some deem the men heroes while others perceive them
as criminals, as they took six lives while shooting their way to freedom
through Czechoslovakia and East Germany. The man regarded as the
"third brother" in the group is Milan Paumer and on Monday night
he talked about the events surrounding their escape in October 1953 at a
seminar held at Prague's Charles University.
More
Press ReviewPress Review
All of today's dailies reflect on Israel's assassination of Sheikh Ahmed
Yassin, the founder and spiritual leader of the militant Palestinian group
Hamas, killed by an Israeli helicopter rocket on Monday. Various headlines
read "Sharon had Sheikh Yassin Killed" and "The Middle East
in Fury", while Mlada Fronta Dnes writes "On the edge of war:
Palestinians promise revenge".
More
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