“The Slovaks wanted to be alone. They wanted to have a sovereign state, not to be just part of Czechoslovakia, and the Czechs accepted that they did not have the right to block such an ambition. This was absolutely crucial. We both understood that the split had to be done quickly, friendly and generously, that there had to be simple macro-rules for dividing all kinds of common assets and liabilities, and that we had to do it ourselves, without letting foreigners to quasi-help us, which means to intervene. The developments in Yugoslavia in the 1990s (and I am similarly afraid of the developments in Ukraine now) confirmed that we made a very shrewd decision. The split of Yugoslavia and especially its form was in my understanding provoked from abroad more than from the inside. The international community failed at this moment in a tragic, irresponsible way. The Czechs and Slovaks should be happy that we avoided such a development. I dare say that they probably are.” ~ Václav Klaus , economist, freedom fighter and former president of the Czech Republic, in “The Carefully Organized Separation of Czechoslovakia as an Example How to Peacefully Solve a Nation State Problem” (Opening lecture at the conference “Qualified Autonomy and Federalism versus Secession in the EU and its Member States“, Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt, Austria, February 26, 2014) bit.ly/1fNPlNi
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 06:04:34 +0000
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