Final Word from Thursday, May 31, 2018
In a moment of candor, PM Andrej Babiš told HN in mid-May that his government showed solidarity with Europe in terms of the Skripals and wants Europe to show solidarity with the CR in terms of refugee quotas and migration. This forthright statement reduces the Novichok case to a simple transaction. It eliminates the question of who, if anyone, poisoned Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and of what, if any, poison was used. It even eliminates the issue of alliance solidarity. Babiš isn't saying that we support our ally because we believe it over Russia, but rather that we support our ally because we expect something in return. The transactional nature of the offer is clear, and one part of the transaction has been fulfilled accordingly. To dispute or rephrase the offer during a special session of Parliament today would jeopardize fulfillment of the other half of the transaction. ANO will therefore join with its local transactional partners to stifle such a debate. [Czech Republic Vladimir Putin UK U.K.]
Glossary of difficult words
candor - frankness; the quality of being open and honest;
forthright - (too) honest or direct in behavior;
to jeopardize - to put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure;
to stifle - to prevent or constrain (an activity or idea).