MARCH 26, 1999

C U R R E N T   A F F A I R S

[ March 25 ] [ March 24 ] [ March 23 ] [ March 22 ]
[ March 19 ] [ March 18 ] [ March 17 ] [ March 16 ] [ March 15 ]

The Czech President noted that NATO's air strikes on Yugoslavia show that the alliance no longer intends to silently watch Milosevic's behaviour which first took away Kosovo Albanian autonomy, then restricted their freedom, and proceeded with ethnic cleansing which resulted in a humanitarian catastrophy. On Thursday, at Prague Castle, President Havel gave a statement on his standpoint on Nato's military action and this is what he had to say:

"Although I believe this solution to be extreme, it is very necessary in this case. As a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, the Czech Republic is aware of its commitment to the alliance. I will not lose hope, however, that Milosevic's regime, which is facing a resolute opposition of the democratic world, will acquire some sense and will stop with the politics that has turned against the Serbian people".

According to Havel, NATO's air strikes are in reaction to Slobodan Milosevic's government which has ruled for a decade. "The current military attacks are not only in reaction to what has been happening in Kosovo in the past few days, but also to actions of Milosevic's regime which has been governing for several years and has played a main role or stood in the background of most of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. Now, he has turned against citizens of his own country, Kosovo Albanians", Havel noted.

The president went on to stress that Milosevic bears full responsibility for the air attacks as the Kosovo Albanians have already signed the peace agreement.

As far as reactions of Czech government officials are concerned, the Czech President has been the only one to fully condemn Milosevic and clearly give his stand on the matter.

Streaming RA / RA Download

"This is a first in the history of Europe since the second world war. This enormous force has violated its influence and defied the laws set down by the United Nations and has attacked the independent, sovereign country of Yugoslavia."

"The military forces of the North Atlantic Alliance, acting according to the dictates and interests of the world's policeman the United States, to help the Albanian separatists and terrorists, have grossly violated the sovereign territory of Yugoslavia."

"The Yugoslav Army is ready to take all measures necessary for the defence and protection of the country. Thousands have already volunteered to defend Yugoslavia," said Stojicic.

Meanwhile, Belgrade remained tense in the wake of new attacks on Wednesday. Czech Radio managed to contact a Czech lecturer teaching at Belgrade University, Vaclav Stepanek.

Streaming RA / RA Download

"It's very much the calm before the storm here. The air raid sirens went off twice today, and they bombed a military airfield very near the city. Having said that, life is almost carrying on as normal, the trams and buses are running, although the streets are visibly emptier than usual. Most of the shops are closed, the only ones still open are food shops. There does seem to be enough food, for now that is."

The reform of the syst‚m, in part intended to bring uniformity to the fragmented examination, has angered many students and teachers alike.. concerned as they are that the changes will limited student choice and place less emphasis upon humanities subjects.

Peter Smith was at the demonstration, where he first spoke to the student spokesperson, Zuzana Jozkov .

Streaming RA / RA Download

Please send us your comments

RP Home / Radio Prague in English / Commentary

Radio Prague Internet Team
cr@radio.cz

Radio Prague, Vinohradska 12, 12099 Prague 2, Czech Republic
tel (+4202) 240 94 608 * fax (+4202) 242 182 39
WWW http://www.radio.cz/opinion/