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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
One on OneIvan Klima - no nostalgia for "Mythical Prague" of pre-1989
Rob Cameron's guest in this week's One on One is the writer Ivan Klima, one
of the most important cultural figures in the Czech Republic. Ivan Klima
was born in Prague in 1931, and during the war was sent to the Terezin
concentration camp - his father was Jewish, although he himself was raised
as a Protestant. He later became a successful author, but was labelled a
dissident by the Communist authorities and his writings were banned.
More
Current AffairsSlovak PM Dzurinda makes first Prague visit since EU enlargement
On Thursday the Slovak prime minister, Mikulas Dzurinda, made his first
visit to Prague since both Slovakia and the Czech Republic took the
historic step of joining the European Union, just three weeks ago. Mr
Dzurinda and his Czech counterpart, Vladimir Spidla, signed a memorandum
committing their countries - for 75 years part of the same state - to
maintaining their unusually close ties within the Union. During Mr
Dzurinda's visit Radio Prague's Alexis Rosenzweig spoke to Petr Jezek of
the Czech prime minister's office, and asked him how he saw future
relations between the two states.
More
Current AffairsSeven new members welcomed to NATO fold
Two years ago at the NATO Summit in Prague the process was set in motion -
it is now just about ready to come full circle: on April 2nd NATO will
officially expand by seven new countries as Jan Velinger reports.
More
Current AffairsNew NATO, EU members call for enlargement to continue eastwards
The Czech Republic has just marked the 5th anniversary of NATO membership,
and joins the European Union in less than six weeks' time. But while the
Czech Republic and most of central and eastern Europe is now safely
ensconced in NATO and the EU, attention is now shifting to the south and
the east - towards the Balkans, the Black Sea, even the Caucasus. Last
week, leaders of more than a dozen countries met in the Slovak capital
Bratislava, to discuss the future of European integration. Rob Cameron
attended the summit, and has this report.
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ArtsIvan Klima receives Franz Kafka prize
This week, has been a lucky week for
Czech writer Ivan Klima. Not only was he given a Medal for Outstanding
Service to the Czech Republic by Czech President Vaclav Havel, but he was
also chosen as the recipient of the Franz Kafka literary prize. The Franz
Kafka prize - the only international honour awarded in the Czech Republic
to outstanding contemporary writers from around the world was established
last year when it was given to U.S. author Philip Roth. This year, the
jury chose to honour the 71 year old Ivan Klima, who as a writer,
essayist, and columnist is one of the most widely translated contemporary
Czech authors. Pavla Horakova attended the award ceremony and
congratulated Mr Klima on his prizes:
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