"Find the limit of work", writes Minister Lipavsky to diplomats...
In five months, the Foreign Ministry has been rocked by three sudden and untimely deaths of high-ranking Czech diplomats - "on duty" and in high-profile destinations. The office is considering a new regulation of working conditions under the Foreign Service Act. Access to psychological care for diplomats and their families is also to be improved.
The Czernin Palace has faced unprecedented pressure, especially from President Miloš Zeman and his entourage, which has accompanied the Castle's efforts to reverse the focus of foreign policy - from the West to the East and towards authoritarian regimes. Full article>
As a side note, the diplomat Jana Hybášková was caught drunk driving - and promoted. The brilliant diplomat Dr. Jana Chaloupková, who refused to behave in a way that was not in accordance with the rules, was literally thrown out of the MFA on the street. All this after many years of successful diplomatic work for our country (knowledge of 12 foreign languages).
The one who covered up this injustice, Miroslav Stašek, State Secretary at the MFA, was appointed by Miloš Zeman as the new Czech Ambassador to the USA. Stašek's successor, State Secretary Radek Rubeš, is also taking his hands off the case.
I have personally informed Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky. Apparently he does not have the courage to deal with this scandal. It is reaching too high and endangering the powerful and their interests. Unfortunately, elected politicians have to listen to them in order not to fall themselves. The question is, how much longer can the Czech Republic afford to do this in today's world if it wants to stand up with honour and not suffer one embarrassment after another?
Here, too, the new president, Petr Pavel, within the framework of his powers and election promises, has to put a stop to this lawlessness and thus help gradually return the country to the ranks of the developed ones. For now, we remain a banana republic, where the country is ruled by the unelected, who are obediently served by the majority of politicians. This cannot last forever if we are not to end up in moral and economic misery. JŠ
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