OPINION IN PRAGUE
585
As I leave he says: "Anyway, give your boss my regards! " He winks
at me merrily.
I take another tram. It's not far to the embankment. And there are
few people there. I'd like to see the Vltava again . I look down from Na
Frantisku. The water is murky, like the morning, but it's a bit brighter.
One can sti ll speak openly to people here. They may have pulled the
shutter down, but you can raise it a bit. I'd like
to
hear something
downright.
"So, they're recruiting women as well, are they? You're not
catching me on that bait. Are you trying
to
kid me?"
He's indignant. I'm afraid others will hear him. I calm him down.
From the word" they" I gather that he is not one of "theirs." I take a
chance and tell him my name.
"That's incredible! So you're . .. our children's friend ... from
Lucenec. Say no more, or rather go on and say what you wanted to."
I know I can trust him. We talk about everything possible. Then I
ask him abut the trial. "It's monstrous, what they're doing. They're
testing the West, seeing what they can get away with. Until the
politicians outside realize what will have an effect on these gentlemen,
nothing will change."
"And what wi ll have an effect on them, do you think?"
"One thing only: economic sanctions. Don't give them what they
urgently need. Cancel agreements, don't conclude new ones. The same
rules should be valid among states as among decent people and
families.
If
I know that people are scum I don 't invite them
to
my
house.
If
I find out that people whom I had believed to be decent have
injured someone badly I let them know that I despise them. Politics
must be moral. Human politics, not a struggle among savage animals.
Why do they invite Indra to Austria, Chnoupek
to
England? Decent
people here call them by the worst names. The Czechs have never been
so rude. Reality has taught them."
I can understand his indignation. And it's not only his personal
attitude. Mr. V. could be living the peaceful life of a pensioner, with a
not very large pension but enough
to
live on. But he knows what it
could be like here if on ly....
"If
only it had gone the right way after 1945, then after 1968, and if
they hadn 't come. You know, my girl, we're an unlucky nation, if only
because of where forefather Czech settled us. Battles have been fought
over us from time immemorial. But we're part of Europe, after all is
said and done! Not Asia with a Czarist knout and subjugated serfs. And
the West shou ld realize lhat the struggle those courageous people are
