Newsgroups: bit.listserv.mideur-l
Date:         Thu, 3 Sep 1992 08:37:45 PDT
From:         lhdsy1!HOVMB.HOU281.CHEVRON.COM!TKMARC@UUNET.UU.NET
Subject:      Paradigm shift

Jan Szelepcsenyi writes:
>
>But that's his personal problem. Middle Europe is going to be
>changed. The dividing of Czecho-Slovakia into two separated
>republics, i.e. political and economical subjects is creating a
>competitive situation. The Czech are trying to get a good
>starting position. The campaign against Slovaks is organized for
>getting some advantages at the international political scene as
>well as at the international market. Unfortunately the mind of
>some individuals, like Mr Feldek, is a very narrow one, slavish.
>They aren't able to imagine that this little nation could have
>its own state and could improve its ability to live in the
>international community as an even partner of other European
>nations. The compensate this misbelieve and mistrust in the
>inborne power of a nation in joining themselves to some Czech
>intellectuals, making for them the dirty job: in killing the
>image of an ongoing state.
>
>However, sooner or later our neightbours and other cooperating
>partners will have the possibility to make their own impression
>about the education, creativity or know-how of our people.
>
>I can imagin my words sound like a propaganda speech shouted
>from barrikades. But we are fighting now for very simple things,
>basic values, to which you have got used a long time before.
>Our problems are for you probably the problems of an another
>world. But we try to solve them. Succeeding in this attempt
>we'll get able to join you.
>
>Don't believe people who are trying to disturb this effort.

Jan:

Thanks for the interesting contribution.

I don't want to discuss the individuals mentioned in your posting,
as I have no reliable information about Slobodnik or Feldek, but I
want to comment on some of the general statements you've made.

No one (including the Feldek's, Kusy's, or the Czech intellectuals)
is saying that Slovakia does not have a RIGHT to form an independent
state. The question is, if and when Slovakia exercises this right,
will it improve or worsen the living conditions of its inhabitants.

There are two major consequences of a split: the expenses associated
with the division, and the political and economic sanctions by the
rest of the world. When the politicians who are preparing the way for
the split deny the heavy impact of these two factors, it's a wishful
thinking at best, and arrogant lying at worst.

Furthermore, there are other circumstances that compound the problem.
True, HZDS won in free elections, and its victory is a reflection
of Meciar's popularity. But who is Meciar? He's a thug (a "hulva't,"
as they say in Slovak); his choice of words and expressions might
be appropriate for a pub after midnight, but not for a government
officer;
his way of dealing with others who disagree with him is primitive
and disgusting (a reported incident: Meciar: "How much do you weigh,
dear colleague?" MP: "80 kilograms." Meciar: "Well, for me you're
just 80 kilograms of shit." ("tak pre mna ste iba 80-kilove hovno."));
his political platform can only described as populist, because truly
the only constant in his politics is to stand for what is the most
popular position and change it whenever advantageous.

Additionally, there is the baggage of the Slovak Republic. The core of
the problem here is NOT that the Slovak Republic was a Nazi ally--that's
all history now. The problem is that some Slovak nationalists today
look at the old Slovak Republic with pride, consider it a source of
inspiration, and try to justify it. The rest of the world will never
have any sympathy for this.
Against this background it is only understandable that there is increased
sensitivity to anyone with past associations with the Slovak
Republic or the Nazis (i.e. Slobodnik).

So, the split will necessarily worsen the living conditions in both
Bohemia and Slovakia, because of the associated expenses combined
with the loss of credibility in the eyes of the world community.
This is the extent of what Bohemia faces in the event of the
split. Slovakia however will have a host of other problems: internally,
the consequences of having Meciar's government; externally, being the
perceived initiator of the split, which will further erode foreign
investor confidence.

Unfortunately, most people in Slovakia are either unaware of these
issues, or right now they are simply not important to them. The
driving force behind this whole independence movement is not a rational
analysis of what is really best for inhabitants of Slovakia, but
emotional issues of pride, quest for recognition, and such.
Mr Frajkor does not include "Slovak Republic" in the address because
he thinks there might be another Martin in Bohemia, but because of
some odd satisfaction which has nothing to do with speeding up or
otherwise improving the delivery. However, while his peculiar
addition has no real impact, the split of CSFR has a potential of
having grave (not catastrofic, just grave) consequences for the
inhabitants of Slovakia.

Again, I have no interest in defending Feldek as a person. But before
you judge people like Kusy, Hoffman, and many other Slovaks who
oppose the split of CSFR, try to understand that they are not
trying to hurt the Slovakia, but help her. In their eyes, as well
as in the eyes of the rest of the civilized world, it is the
combination of the Slovak nationalists, separatists, and populists,
who are doing the real damage.

--Kamil Marcinka (Internet address: tkmarc@hovmb.ion.chevron.com)
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