Iraq, Cuba, Iran

The Iraqi elections are being celebrated as a success, and the CR can share the glory. Just a few days ago, the CR extended the stay of its military police in Iraq, at a time when other nations are pulling out. The initial decision to back the U.S. in Iraq came before the Czechs joined the EU. If Prague, as an EU member, now wanted to support more U.S. military action in the region, it might face increased resistance from its bigger EU brothers. Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda showed a readiness on Czech TV yesterday to stand up to the EU on Cuba. Václav Havel, himself a big supporter of the Iraq attack, had chastised the EU for dancing to Castro's tune by refusing to host dissidents. Like Iraq, though, Cuba was a "preexisting condition." It remains to be seen whether the CR would dare, as a fresh EU member, to go against Germany or France on a new issue like Iran. [Czech Republic United States European Union Fidel Castro Czech Television]