Posted on 03/25/2009 12:58:56 PM PDT by lizol
Missile defense critics welcome Czech govt's fall
March 25, 2009 - 12:16pm
By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press Writer
PRAGUE (AP) - Czechs opposed to hosting part of a U.S. missile shield hailed the collapse of their government as the latest setback for a defense system whose fate was already in doubt.
A 101-96 no-confidence vote that saw four ruling coalition lawmakers side with the opposition Tuesday embarrassed Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, a staunch shield supporter, days before a visit by President Barack Obama and midway through the country's European Union presidency.
The Obama administration has already signaled it may reconsider the missile plan, which also would include 10 interceptor missiles to be based in neighboring Poland.
"It's a big victory for democracy in our country," Jan Tamas, an organizer of numerous protests against plans to base a missile defense radar near Prague, said Wednesday. "We're glad that a government which ignored the will of a majority of people has fallen."
The Bush administration said the system would protect Europe from attacks by "rogue states" such as Iran. But Obama has been reviewing the plan and has signaled to Russia _ a fierce opponent of the system _ that he's willing to reconsider it if the threat believed posed by Iran recedes.
The shield was expected to be high on the agenda when Obama meets with Czech leaders in Prague on April 4-5.
Opposition to the shield runs high in the Czech Republic, where some people fear it could make the country a target for terrorists. The outgoing government does not have enough votes in parliament to approve it.
But it remains unclear whether Topolanek's ouster will doom the missile defense deal.
The premier's popularity has been on the rise since the country assumed the rotating EU presidency in January. Under the constitution, if three attempts to form a new government fail, early elections must be held _ and Topolanek is seen as having a shot at regaining power.
Unlike the Czechs, Poland's leaders have thrown their support behind the plan.
"I don't believe that for such a trite reason as a government change, the Czechs would want to break off negotiations with the U.S. and give up the plan to host the radar," said Artur Golawski, a commentator for the Polish military weekly Polska Zbrojna.
Topolanek sought to reassure European leaders Wednesday that his government's collapse will have no effect on the country's EU presidency. Although Topolanek was expected to formally submit his resignation on Thursday, he could end up staying on for several more months as a caretaker. He and his representatives did not publicly discuss the fate of the missile shield Wednesday.
Ordinary Czechs expressed bewilderment at the crisis _ the first time in the history of the modern Czech Republic that the political opposition has ousted a government.
"It's a big problem for us all," said Frantisek Flender, 25. "We're in the middle of an economic crisis and the fall of the government definitely won't help us solve it."
German government spokesman Thomas Steg voiced Berlin's hope Wednesday "that despite yesterday's events in Prague and the confidence vote, the Czech presidency can continue to be run efficiently."
The government's handling of the economic crisis helped lead to its demise.
The export-oriented Czech economy has been badly hit, with industrial output falling by 23.3 percent year-on-year in January and unemployment on the rise. Joblessness hit 7.4 percent in February.
Former Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek's opposition Social Democrats had requested the no-confidence vote, contending that Topolanek's government was unable to handle the downturn. _
... and communist totalitarian critics bemoan it.
It seems the Bolshevik’s and Apparachik’s are reasserting themselves all over the world... Sad for the Czech’s....And us...
Within the next few years, they’ll probably get the oppurtunity to hail Russian tanks. Hope that works well for ya-all.
“Peace in our time”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.