Petr Fischer on the radar debate in the Czech Republic

The American-Czech agreement for the construction of a radar station for the US's missile defence shield is ready to be signed. This prompts journalist Petr Fischer to analyse the Czech Republic's debate culture: "Firstly: we're incapable of debate. Instead of debating we just polemicise. Secondly, we don't use arguments, we use misinterpretations. Any kind of criticism is suppressed. Those who oppose the radar support the Russians; therefore they are enemies of the Czech Republic. And worse still, they back the communists. And those who are communists are criminals. In short, one shouldn't listen to critics; their views are not valid in a democratic society. Thirdly: the doubts remain. A debate that isn't a true debate generates more questions than answers. It remains unclear whether the missile defence shield will become part of a joint defence initiative with NATO. So far all the energy has focused simply on finding a way to integrate the radar into something that doesn't yet exist - a joint system of defence."

» full article (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Czech Republic
All available articles from » Petr Fischer

» To the complete press review of Friday, April 18, 2008