After seven years of intensive lobbying it seemed that Czech gays and
lesbians would finally get their wish - a law enabling them to enter into
a form of marriage, give them inheritance rights and the right to be
briefed about their partner's state of health. However the bill, which has
been approved by both houses of Parliament, seems to have hit the rocks,
after President Vaclav Klaus slammed it last week. Prime Minister Jiri
Paroubek came out strongly in its defence and he and the president are now
embroiled in a heated and highly publicized