A Not-So-Happy Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution

Next week marks the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the series of non-violent protests that directly preceeded the overthrow of the Czech Republic's Communist government. Some have dubbed it the "Gentle Revolution," but its 20th anniversary is serving as little besides a stage on which current Czech President Vaclav Klaus and former President Vaclav Havel can re-hash their longtime rivalries.

For instance, Havel, who became the first post-Communist Czech leader and is widely adored in his country, used a Velvet Revolution commemoration last month to bash President Klaus and his uncooperative role in the progression of the Lisbon Treaty. This marked a rare outburst on behalf of Havel, who usually declines the opportunity to indulge his biggest rival in bickering.

"I believe that President Klaus, before being elected, should have explained his intentions, put his cards on the table, so that those who voted for him could know what to expect," Havel said. "Now his behavior damages the Czech Republic in Europe."

But a bit of political smack talk on behalf of Havel is nothing compared to the attack Klaus is about launch with the publication of his new book, "Where Tomorrow Begins," which will detail his personal experience with the fall of communism in the Czech Republic. The looming anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, he said, motivated him to finish the project. In the book, Klaus downplays the role of the revolution and emphasizes his belief that external factors led to the overthrow of the Communist government. In doing so, Klaus has made a point of denouncing the role of individuals -- like Havel -- in the rise above a Communist regime.

But whereas Havel's sentiments toward Klaus are shared by many across the European Union and within the Czech Republic and will likely not garner him any flack, Klaus's book is further evidence of the sheer contemptuousness that makes him a hated political figure. It'll be interesting to see if Klaus can restrain himself at the Havel-organized celebration of the Revolution on Saturday.

"Havel and Klaus, great rivals during their post-Communist political careers, are ... expected to describe the events differently," an article in the Prague Daily Monitor explained. Let's just hope Klaus's muzzle is tightly fastened.