euro|topics - Milan Vodička

04/12/2008

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Vodička, Milan

2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Mladá fronta DNES - Czech Republic | 11/07/2008

A Prague writing table rich in history

The radar treaty with the US for the planned American missile defence shield was signed on the same writing table as the Soviet treaty settling the occupation of Czechoslovakia after the violent end to the Prague Spring in 1968. This fact has been the butt of jokes and biting commentary in the Czech Republic. Milan Vodička, commentator at the liberal daily Mladá fronta DNES, takes a different view: "I do not find it embarrassing. On the contrary, I see it as a historical liberation. On the same desk where a country was once humiliated, an agreement has been reached that will prevent such things from ever happening again. ... History does not repeat itself at all, as critics of the radar maintain. This new treaty is no decree forcing 4,700 Russian tanks on our country. We negotiated the document as a sovereign state, and the 250 Americans who will operate the radar are no occupation army."

Mladá fronta DNES - Czech Republic | 11/06/2008

Oil prices turn globalisation into localisation

Russian energy giant Gazprom believes the price of oil could soon hit 250 dollars per barrel. The liberal daily Mlada fronta Dnes examines the possible consequences: "The car-crazy Americans start using public transport. US firms switch working times to four times 10 hours per week, saving on petrol. Owing to higher food prices because of transport costs, restaurants start serving smaller portions. Airlines fight for passengers. Cars on Germany's motorways start slowing down. Globalisation puts a stranglehold on itself. It turns into the cheaper alternative: localisation. The different regions of the world switch to a policy of self-sufficiency. We should get used to the idea of not being able to buy the whole world at our local supermarket. This may sound crazy, but just half a year ago a price of 250 dollars per barrel sounded even crazier."

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