Knocking on Prague's door

George W. Bush said a few hours ago that Europe should pay more of the cost of rebuilding Iraq. The CR will have to make a decision soon about extending the stay of its field hospital in Basra and could now be asked to contribute in other ways. The decision this time might be more difficult. Václav Klaus remains opposed to U.S. policy and defended his previous behavior in MFD today. Václav Havel, who signed the Letter of Eight, is now retreating, perhaps under the sway of Madeleine Albright. He told the Bohemia dailies that the war was morally justified but that he has big doubts about the timing and way it was conducted. Vladimír Špidla, who rammed through a pro-U.S. policy against ČSSD's, wishes, is now under more pressure at home and in Europe. Only Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda, it seems, can be counted on to back the U.S. 100% this time. Dnes