Final Word from Monday, September 1, 2008
The Czech government has been following a bait-and-switch strategy for enlarging the Temelín nuclear-power plant. The bait is the Kč 130-150bn construction contract, which is very enticing for EU companies such as Areva and Alstom. PM Mirek Topolánek has rightly recognized that the nuclear debate must be moved to the European level, and something like the Declaration on Strategic Partnership on energy and other issues signed in June with France helps accomplish this. The switch comes when the Czechs cast aside their French friends to do a nuclear deal with Russia. Gazprom, after all, is said to be a reliable partner. But then along comes Georgia and messes this all up. It's hard to imagine Europe standing by now as the CR becomes even more dependent on Russia for energy, when European champions are ready to step in. So, unless Georgia goes away quickly and leaves no marks, the ČEZ government will need to revise its nuclear strategy.[Czech Republic European Union Škoda JS]
Glossary of difficult words
to bait and switch - the action (generally illegal) of advertising goods that are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting inferior or more-expensive goods later;
bait - something used to tempt or entice;
enticing - attractive, tempting;
switch - the act of adopting or choosing one thing to replace another;
Gazprom is reliable - Vice PM Alexandr Vondra said this to "Russia in Global Affairs" journal last month (apparently before the Georgia crisis);
champion - (in this context) a domestic company that is seen as worthy of support;
the ČEZ government - an allusion to the influence ČEZ has on the Czech government.