Resigned to Disunity

Resigned to Disunity

When the "velvet revolution" brought democracy to his country in 1989, Vaclav Havel hoped a strong and unified Czechoslovakia would help anchor a peaceful postcommunist Central Europe. Last week Havel's vision finally faded when Slovakia's parliament split the country by declaring its sovereignty. Moments later Havel stepped down as President of Czechoslovakia, giving up a long struggle to broker a federal power-sharing agreement. He may well be the leading candidate when the separate Czech Republic establishes the new office of president.

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