Radar redux: More Perspectives
After the demonstration last night I headed over to Pavels, the kinokavarna near my flat in the neighborhood of Vršovice. Everyone was watching a dubbed episode of 'The Simpsons.'
Pavel poured me a pint of Bernard.
'I was at the demonstration,' I said in Czech. I was still pumped.
'Really?' Pavel was wearing a USA baseball cap, and he nodded warily.
'So what do you think about the radar?' I asked.
He shrugged.
'I mean, yes,' he said.
'But you're from Přibram, right?' I asked, referring to the small town where Pavel lives. It's not far from where the actual radar base would be located.
'So you're actually for the radar?' I asked.
'Yes.'
This was surprising, of course. One of the big reasons most Czechs I've talked to are against the U.S. proposed missile defense radar here is because they're afraid it will make their small country a nuclear target.
Pavel was busy refreshing pints at the tables and I got the feeling he wasn't 'really in that big a mood to discuss it. But later some other guys came in and sat at the bar and they spoke about it together. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice's visit to the city that day to sign the radar treaty made the issue immediate and fresh.
Being an American living in the city, I've always tiptoed around the issue. Back in 1980, Muhammad Ali, at President Carter's request, went to Africa on a delegation to explain the Carter Administration's decision to boycott the Olympics. Ali found himself having to deal with loads of criciticism. He ended up explaining to the crowds. 'Hey! I didn't come over here to take a whuppin' over America! If I'd known about this, I would have told Carter no.'
That pretty much sums up my attitude as a foreigner living in Prague.
Anyway, as I listened to the guys at the bar, I got the feeling they shared Pavel's sentiments, that the radar might actually be OK, could bring jobs to the small town, etc.
And I got to thinking about the two-thirds' opposition figure reported in the media. Who exactly comprise this two-thirds? Of course, at Pavel's they frequently show American films, and English-speaking people are usually quite welcome, so while I'm a firm believer in coffee shops and pubs as good places to sound out public opinion, it's also true that you can't just base your survey on one pub. I thought also about the AP reporter, Karel, who I met at the demonstration, and how he felt the majority of people at the demonstration were just old Communists and the rest of the anti-West, anti-US crowd.
It's always good to broaden your perspective.
In the morning I talked with the girls at Oriflame, the Swedish cosmetics firm I teach at three times a week.
'Did you see in the Czech news?' one of the girls asked. 'They had a picture of Condoleeza's face, and for a body they had the Terminator.'
We talked about the radar issue. Jiřina, who as a young student back in 1968 protested on Vaclavski Naměsti against the Soviet invasion, looked concerned and faraway when we talked about Tuesday's demonstration.
'I'm more worried about Russia,' she said. 'How will they react?'
It's true, Putin's Russia is not at all happy about the radar, seeing it as a threat near its backyard. The Bush Administration has gone to great lengths to assure the resurgent Bear not to worry. After all, the base is intended to protect Europe from Iran and North Korea, and the 10 missiles (which will be in Poland) are no match for Russia's arsenal. Also, the Bush Administration has even invited Russian experts to participate in the project.
The other girls, Jitka and Marketa listened. They agreed that the most vocal of the opposition here are the old Communists and extreme leftists, but it's clear they have some reservations too, even though they don't go into any great detail. They seem more resigned to the radar as inevitable, as evidenced by Rice's visit and signing of the treaty, even though it still must get a stamp from Parliament later this year.
'But what about the upcoming U.S. presidential election -- McCain and Obama?' I ask.
'I don't think it will make a difference with the radar,' they say.