Perhaps the best thing to be said about the coming breakup of Czechoslovakia, which has been scheduled for Jan. 1, is that it promises to be peaceful.
Just as Czechoslovakia jettisoned communism by means of a ”Velvet Revolution” in 1989, its two main parts plan to go their own ways with a maximum of velvety civility. This is commendable.
Still, Czechoslovakia`s disintegration will be no panacea for Slovakia, the poorer, needier third of the country. Meanwhile, the better-off and more populous Czech lands probably will go on prospering.
Dissolution of the union between the two republics will have the dubious virtue of scratching the separatist itch that has afflicted Slovaks.
To the separatists, of course, there is nothing dubious about Slovak autonomy. It has become their heart`s desire, especially since the disparate post-communist experiences of the Czech and Slovak republics have widened the historic gap between them.
The collapse of the Soviet market hit Slovakia`s heavy industries hard. Unemployment is considerably higher than in the Czech republic, which, unlike Slovakia, has benefited a lot from the market-oriented economic reforms of the last few years.
Mounting differences eventually became irreconcilable, and last Wednesday the Czech and Slovak premiers announced a timetable for an amicable divorce, effective Jan. 1. It calls for passing laws to end the federation and divide powers, as well as for writing treaties and laying the groundwork for the gradual separation of the armed forces.
Unfortunately, there is no provision for a nationwide plebiscite, something former President Vaclav Havel advocated as long ago as last year. But Czech and Slovak officials insist that holding a referendum now would be pointless because the die is cast. Maybe so.
Not everything is being thrown overboard in advance of the journey into uncharted waters. ”I would like to stress that there will be no immediate change in currency (the crown) after January, or in the foreseeable future,” said Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus. ”That means a crown zone will remain in force on the territory of former Czechoslovakia.”
A crown zone: the Cheshire-cat-like grin of a country that has faded away. It is an intriguing image, but a poor substitute for the whole cat.
