World leaders continue to react to Vaclav Havel´s death

"Poland is parting with Havel as if he were our national hero," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after he signed the books of condolences at the Czech embassy in Warsaw today.

He said Havel was "not only a great Czech, but also in a way a great Pole, a great European."

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, currently visiting China, signed the books of condolences at the Czech embassy in Beijing.

The Polish news agency PAP has written that it is not clear whether Komorowski will attend Havel´s funeral on Friday over his current working visit.

Outgoing Croatian PM Jadranka Kosor underlined Havel´s importance for the European nations that have toppled communist regimes, introduced democracy and joined the great project of a united Europe.

In a letter of condolence to her Czech counterpart Petr Necas, she said Havel was "a real friend of Croatia and Croats."

Serbian President Boris Tadic sent a telegramme of condolence to his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus, in which he wrote that Havel was a great fighter for democracy, peace and freedom.

China has not yet reacted to Havel´s death. Havel frequently criticised it for not observing human rights.

Havel was on friendly terms with the Tibetan Dalai Lama whom Beijing accuses of separatist tendencies.

The Dalai Lama met Havel during his recent visit to Prague that took place at Havel´s invitation.

The French daily Le Monde writes today that the absence of Havel´s likes, adventurers of democracy and sincere, enlightened and visionary humanists is cruelly detrimental to Europe at the time of its current existential crisis.

The paper writes that the open-minded Havel was a great European.

"He has largely contributed to the reunification of our continent divided by the Cold War. Thanks to him the Czech Republic is a part of the European Union today. His successor Vaclav Klaus, unfortunately, is not capable of seeing things from a distance like Havel was," Le Monde writes.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz