Only gloom and deep pessimism down on Europe's newest border

"The border won't stay open," he predicted, blaming Vladimir Meciar, the Slovak prime minister, and his Czech counterpart, Vaclav Klaus. "They want to do each other harm, they'll make it as bad as possible. It's us who will pay for this." In the grime covering the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Guardian (London)
Main Author SUSAN GREENBERG IN STARY HROZENKOV
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Manchester (UK) Guardian News & Media Limited 07.01.1993
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Summary:"The border won't stay open," he predicted, blaming Vladimir Meciar, the Slovak prime minister, and his Czech counterpart, Vaclav Klaus. "They want to do each other harm, they'll make it as bad as possible. It's us who will pay for this." In the grime covering the windows, someone had written "Up yours, Meciar" in both Czech and Slovak. It was Mr Meciar's autonomy demands that finally triggered the break-up of the Czechoslovak federation. So far, border controls are minimal. Treaties allow for a customs union and free movement of people. Passports are checked on flights but there are no such controls on the road. Checks are made on goods for tax purposes, focusing on lorries rather than private cars.
ISSN:0261-3077