Czech press survey - September 11

One can understand Western politicians dancing a strange dance with the undemocratic countries as their citizens' welfare depends on economic cooperation with them, Musil writes.

However, everything should have its limits, while Necas crossed them yesterday, he adds.

Necas may be absolutely convinced that he is right, but this only makes the matters worse, Musil writes.

Does he really believe that the women from Pussy Riot were meted out such a harsh punishment if they had not clearly targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin? he asks.

When claiming that Dalai Lama would renew feudalism in Tibet, Necas seems not to take into account that Dalai Lama is only informal leader of the movement, Musil writes.

Does he not know that Dalai Lama has been speaking about democracy and the Tibetan leadership in exile has been freely elected? he adds.

All in all, Necas did not have to say these things. However, there is the speculation that with his speech he may have wanted to improve his relations with President Vaclav Klaus that have rather turned sour, Musil writes.

Necas should be really cautious when speaking, Martin Zverina writes about Necas's position on China and Russia in Lidove noviny.

It is understandable that the Czech Republic's prime minister stresses that his government is for the policy of one China. Any other statement by a top politician would be rather silly, Zverina writes.

However, as the prime minister he is also responsible for what he said. In a country that experienced 20 years of [Soviet] occupation, it is insensitive, to say the least, to reject those who want to be independent by the argument that they are undemocratic, he adds.

One can understand the reasons of why the top politician is saying this, but there is still the objection that he may have humiliated himself more than necessary, Zverina writes.

Dalai Lamism, the word used by Necas, sounds rather strange even if it were not used by him, Adam Cerny writes in financial paper Hospodarske noviny.

The statement that support to Dalai Lamism is not support to democracy sounds equally strange, Cerny writes.

Simple Realpolitik may say why Dalai Lama should be avoided, he adds.

However, figures are eloquent. The Chinese trade with the countries who speak with Dalai Lama or do not does not much differ, Cerny writes.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz