Double agents and blackmail
2007-01-15
There's a debate in the spy world - at least in the fictional one -
about whether it's better to "turn" an uncooperative person by
using blackmail or corruption. If Mirek Topolánek wins
confirmation on Fri. by promising to help Miloš Zeman become
president, the defectors who cross over will no doubt be
rewarded. Jiøí Paroubek, in turn, was using blackmail against
these possible double agents by threatening to expel them from
ÈSSD. It was a standstill until Zeman declared that Paroubek
shouldn't be reelected ÈSSD chairman. By proposing Zdenìk
Škromach as the replacement, he was blackmailing Paroubek
into submission. Paroubek will now think twice before siding
with Václav Klaus and Pavel Bém. As to Škromach, Zeman
probably has no real desire to install him as ÈSSD chair.
Dumping Paroubek would only create a rift in ÈSSD that hurts
Zeman's presidential chances.
[Czech Republic grand coalition ODS]
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