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Dienstbier, Jiri
3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
The controversy surrounding a futuristic design for new Czech national library
The futuristic plans for a new national library in Prague have triggered a vigorous debate in the Czech Republic. President Vaclav Klaus described the project, designed by Czech-born architect Jan Kaplicky, as "ugly" and promised he would fight "tooth and nail" against its realisation. In an interview with Eva Zajikova, former Foreign Minister Jiri Dienstbier contradicts the president. "I like Kaplicky's design, and the debate is a typical example of Czech narrow-mindedness. We are part of modern Europe and should be glad to see a world-famous architect like Kaplicky take an interest in the project. It's wonderful that a Czech has become one of the world's top architects. The debate highlights the Czechs' fear of anything unusual. There were similar debates about the Municipal House [an art nouveau-style building] at the turn of the millennium in Prague. Today it's a tourist attraction and no one has any doubts about it."
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More from the press review on the subject » Architecture / Cities, » Czech Republic
All available articles from » Eva Zajickova
A missile defence system for the Czech Republic?
In a guest commentary Jiri Dienstbier, a former dissident and Czechoslovakia's first foreign minister after the fall of the Iron Curtain, explains why he opposes the construction of a US missile defence base in the Czech Republic. "In an already unstable world we shouldn't let ourselves relapse into an arms race," Dienstbier comments and points out that Russia could be alarmed by the establishment of a US military base in the Czech Republic. "Do we really expect an attack from the powerful world of Islamic fundamentalism, which might decide to wage a 'war of civilisations' against the 'devils' of the West? Anything is possible, but it will be dozens of years before such a scenario is really feasible. It will be difficult to convince the Czech nation that we of all people should participate in the missile defence system project – without considering our allies within NATO and the EU. The Czech Republic has military obligations to NATO, not the US. As a NATO member, we cannot set the seal on such an important decision in a bilateral agreement with another member state – even if that state is the most powerful member."
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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Czech Republic
Jiri Dienstbier on Kosovo's future
Jiri Dienstbier, former Special Rapporteuer for Human Rights in ex-Yugoslavia, is skeptical about NATO's role regarding Kosovo: "In 1999, the major powers, the UN and NATO decided to attack Yugoslavia for the same wrong reasons they later attacked Iraq, and without knowing what to do once it was over. This has nothing to do with judging Slobodan Milosevic or Saddam Hussein... Today, certain powers are trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities by giving Kosovo independence... To continue this struggle on the basis of 'trial and error' would come at too high a price. For me the long-term solution would be to give less importance to borders in the Balkan region. This would be the cheapest way to invest in European security."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » South East Europe
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