Final Word from Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Few people foresaw that a small radar station could become such an explosive issue. The CR has managed to disrupt relations within the EU and Nato and incur the wrath of Russia. The issue of U.S. visas won't be as dramatic, but the CR is setting itself up for another confrontation. As it pushes in Washington to be included in the visa-waiver program, it's overlooking the importance of the trade-off of tighter security requirements. These will apply not only to the CR, which is willing to accept the quid pro quo, but to all the existing 27 visa-waiver countries as well. This means, for example, that Iceland and Singapore might have to invest into airport security so that Czechs can enjoy their visa-free travel. France and Germany have already started to complain. It might be less painful, in the end, for Czech politicians to lecture to their citizens about not overstaying their U.S. visas.[Czech Republic European Union]