Poor diplomacy

Not only is there some concern regarding transparent behaviour of Slovak's present government - not only a matter for Slovak citizens exclusively, but even internationally, at least at an EU level - but Slovak diplomacy is an area, which intensively would need some closer attention.

Slovakia, as a new nation, coming forth from the ancient Austro-Hungarian Empire, specially the Hungarian part, has until now not been able to clarify its past and present coexistence with its neighbour. When looking at the matter through the eyes of an historian, certain resentments could be traced back in time and explained. Yet, why a modern nation is not able to find a civil way to set aside predominantly childish nationalistic sentiments is a bit of a mystery.

While in 1945 post war Europe, French and German politicians (equally the people) finally burried their centuries' old animosity and turned into the strongest catalyst for the formation of the present-day European Union, Slovak government seem to take pleasure in seeing every statement of a Hungarian politician as a direct attack against Slovakia. 

Hungary's president László Sólyom, during his visit to neighbouring Serbia indicated, that Hungarian minorities (in all neighbouring countries that is) should learn the local language as a second language, a statement, which immediately caused a rather hysteric media campaign by our comrade prime minister Mr Fico, protesting that it was undermining the integrity and statehood of the Slovak Republic. 

The truth in fact is far off. A fact is, that Hungarian minorities, whether in Serbia, Romania or Slovakia speak Hungarian as their first 'mother-tongue'. Personnaly, I find it understandable. When the small kids enter school, the local (official) language is apparently taught from the same books as the local children use. One will have a handicap, that one does exercises without having a proper basis, which should be solved when approaching it as a 'second language'; systematically starting from zero. In my view, a pragmatic and more effective pedagogical opinion. 

But, even despite the fact, that some voices have appeared in the Slovak media, that this is in fact the case already (at least in Slovakia), the over sensitive ranting by Fico is even the more absurd. Interestingly enough, at the same time, the Minister of Education has started press conferences addressing this issue, announcing changes (eh, I thought it was an attack on Slovakia's sovereignty, so why listening to them?). Confusing signals I would say. 

But the bottom-line of it all is, why are international communications with government leaders not taken care of by the diplomatic corps instead of televising hysteric press conferences? Mr Fico appears rather as an unsuccessful boulevard-press moderator or a political agitator from the 1930s, than a grown up statesman. Poor diplomacy leads to poor international relations [sic]. Fico is obviously becoming a boring poor comedian. 

MS