CZECH & SLOVAK
SOCIETY
Exhausted from the whirlwind of social activity in November and December, the Committee extends good wishes to every member during the holiday season. We would like to thank everyone who came to the films, lecture and Christmas party.
Ten years after the Velvet Revolution, we remember those who contributed to the emergence of free Czech and Slovak Republics. During the next ten years we expect to see the deepening of ties between Ireland and Central Europe.
Who knows precisely what form
these deepening ties may take? We look forward to welcoming more Czechs
and Slovaks to Ireland: to work, to study and to enjoy the legendary Irish
hospitality. We also look forward to bringing more Czech and Slovak traditions
to Ireland. Kolaches on Grafton Street? Slivovice in the Shelbourne? Maybe
a Czech in charge of Irish Aviation? Who knows what the next ten years
may bring?
FEES FOR 1999-2000 ARE DUE
If you have not done so already,
please submit your dues to the Secretary: £10 individual, £20
family, and £100 corporate.
The September 1998 elections ushered in a new era of revitalisation of Slovakia. The new government lead by Mikulas Dzurinda has pursued policies of promoting Slovakia's integration into both European and Atlantic structures and reforming the political and economic structures of the country along Western models.
Slovakia failed to join in the first round of fast track negotiations to join the EU in 1997. The new government has as a top priority the fastest possible integration into the EU and has already made substantial progress to meeting the "Copenhagen criteria."
The reform programme of the current government is far reaching and includes protection of the use of minority languages, reduction in government borrowings, encouragement of foreign investment and privatisation of banks and state monopolies.
The European Commission has acknowledged the considerable progress made by the new government and in its Report of October 1999 has recommended the negotiations begin on accession of Slovakia to the European Union in the year 2000.
Bilateral relations between the Czech and Slovak Republics have improved during this time as well. Slovak President Rudolf Schuster made his first trip abroad to the Czech Republic during the past year and the two governments continue to work together on a variety of bilateral and multilateral initiatives, including Slovak membership in the OECD and NATO. Both countries are very well aware of their mutual interests. The phrase "we will meet once again in Europe" seems more apt than ever as both nations prepare to enter the European Union.
This is very good news for Slovaks and Czechs at home and abroad.
Marcel Pesko
On the 24th November, the presidium of the Central Committee of the Czechoslovak Communist Party resigned. By December, the barbed wire on the Czech-Austrian boarder was removed.
At present when ideals seem dead because they are considered counterproductive to pragmatic goals, it is good to realise that the better which we all desire is dormant inside our souls.
What has become past cannot ever be repeated, nor can it be fully incorporated in the present. However, the redeeming moments of our national, and for many of us, also personal, past, represent a challenge reminding us to try to disclose in ourselves as well as our fellow beings that which makes us better, not to be ashamed to be honest and decent, not to give in to hypocrisy and aggression.
November 1989 is not only a milestone of our modern history but also a challenge calling on us to try even today to take the only road that has a future.
Taken from "1989, ocima fotografu."
Bill Prasifka