Prague - Not long ago Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek (Civic Democrats) stated that it is up to the cabinet to decide whether he would visit the Summer Olympic Games in China or not.
The majority of ministers Aktuálně.cz has spoken to are not in favor.
"The decision whether Prime Minister as a representative of Czech government should or should attend the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games will be a decision of the whole government. It is to be based on an in-depth factual analysis," informed PM Topolánek at the end of March.
If the ministers were to make their decision now, Topolánek would most probably stay home, though.
Needless to say, the question of political representatives being present at the Games is currently a hot topic worldwide above all due to China's poor human rights record.
"No" by Greens and Christian Democrats
It is largely the Greens and the Christian Democratic Party (KDU-ČSL) who would prefer Topolánek boycott the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing, as a sign of solidarity with Tibet.
"If the government is to cast a vote over this, I am going to suggest to PM Topolánek not to take part in the official opening ceremony," said Minister of Education Ondřej Liška. He himself, together with Deputy Prime Minister Martin Bursík, has already stated that he would skip the China visit.
Minister for HUman Rights Džamila Stehlíková and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg share the very same point of view.
KDU-ČSL Ministers Cyril Svoboda and Václav Jehlička are not excited about the prospect of PM Topolánek going to China either.
"I personally believe that the Olympics should be above all a sporting-event, not a politicians' show - that´s why I don't find the presence of PM Topolánek necessary," said Culture Minister Václav Jehlička.
"Mere show-business"
Even some ministers that are members of PM Topolánek's Civic Democratic Party (ODS) are not in favor of Topolánek visiting China.
"At the moment I am against it," stated the Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič, adding however that the situation in China can change as the government in Peking is trying to solve the problems of the country.
Labor Minister Petr Nečas sees other problems besides the situation in Tibet.
"I don't see a reason why Czech Prime Minister should travel across half of the planet for an event that is merely a show-business," declaimed Nečas.
From all the Civic Democrats asked, only Interior Minister Ivan Langer didn't see any reason why PM Topolánek shouldn't travel to China.
Transport Minister Aleš Řebíček is undecided yet.
Boycott? Empty gesture
While PM's trip to China remains a controversial issue among the ministers, the government has found a rare unanimity over other issue - Czech athletes boycotting the games.
All ministers refuse the athletes´ boycott, arguing that politics and sport should not mix.
"I don't find it just to deny our athletes participation in the games. For them, it is a possibility to fulfill their ambition, a culmination after a few long years of preparations. It would be unfair. However, the participation of politicians is a completely different question," believes Education Minister Ondřej Liška (Greens).
Labor Minister Nečas, too, sees such a measure inadequate. He is rather surprised by the emotions that the issue has raised among MPs.
Accoding to Nečas it has been known that the Olympics would take place in a country that violates human rights since the very first day China was granted the right to hold the games.
Chairman of the government's Legislative Council Cyril Svoboda sees the possible boycott as an empty gesture.
Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg agrees with Svoboda´s stand. "Today, a majority of the teams would be in favor. I believe that one should give warning only about things he or she can actually do," said foreign minister.
