Czechs show how to avoid being dependent on Russia for energy

This month, the Czechs discovered the beauty of sovereignty. Defying Russia, the government in Prague signed an accord with the United States to accept on its territory a radar tracking system for the Pentagon's controversial anti-ballistic missile defense system. Soon after Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, had completed the signing ceremony in Prague, the Kremlin announced it would retaliate. Oil deliveries, which Russia sends to the Czech Republic through the Druzba, or Friendship, pipeline were reduced as much as 40 percent. Officially, Russia denied that the decision was a response to the missile shield agreement. "The Russian side said it was due to technical reasons," said Tomas Bartovsky, a spokesman for the Czech Trade and Industry Ministry. No further explanations were given, he said. Full deliveries... [read full story]