Čarnogurský's enigma

Those who have followed Central European history, obviously know the name of Čarnogurský. The prominent Slovak dissident, harrassed by the communist because of his openly practicing catholicism dusring an era, where religious activities were regarded as treason. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, he became a prime-minister during the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic era. A person, who rightfully earned respect for his moral and ethical conduct.

For the past years, Mr Čarnogurský appeared often less admirably in the media. It appeared, that Mr Čarnogurský suddenly has become an unofficial spokesman for tighter contatcs with Russia and the Ukraine. Seemingly, the common Slavic history, calls for a more friendly relationship.

When Fico's lustful hunger for absolute neo-bolshevic power came to an unexpected halt, and is desperately looking for a quick coalition alternative to remain in the saddle, Mr Čarnogurský appeared on the scene as a mediator, to convince the christian democrat KDH rather to go with Fico in a coalition, rather with "immoral" liberals. Mr Čarnogurský argued, he only conveyed the message nothing more. Only to give other opinions in public equally a chance.

From a person, who experienced oppression from a communist regime, I find these givens rather surprising. Perhaps, one could duly argue, that the Russian man in the street, is not to be blamed for the decades long Soviet occupation. But flirting with Russian politics, where minorities are cruelly surpressed, where critical journalists are killed during bright daylight, is a very questionable to say the least.

Flirting - for whatever reason - with a political party that has stolen, lied and double crossed its citizens, is equally distasteful. It is said, that with age, people become wiser. Especially because of ethical reasons, it would be more appropriate to decline becoming messenger boy for Fico's plays for power. Mr Čarnogurský has proven, that a once respected dissident-politician, can turn into a very dubious person, especially, since one wouldn't consider him to be so naive. What he has shown lately, is both ethically and morally inconceivable and disappointing. Where did it go wrong?

MS