Former Czech leader dismisses speculation on presidential run

Former Czech president and playwright Vaclav Havel dismissed speculation on Friday that he would run as a candidate for the Czech presidency next year. Mr Havel's spokesman said that Mr Havel had not received any offer and that no one had discussed this issue with him. Vaclav Havel who was the country's president between 1989 and 2003, hinted in March he could stand in the 2008 election "to scare somebody", a veiled reference to incumbent President Vaclav Klaus whose policies Mr Havel opposes.