John Kerry's ancestral home town backs his presidential campaign

US presidential candidate John Kerry received support from rather unlikely quarters this week - a small town in the Czech Republic. Horni Benesov - population 2,400 - is the birthplace of John Kerry's grandfather Fritz Kohn, a German-speaking Jew who emigrated to the US in 1904. This week the town granted John Kerry honorary citizenship, and are backing his bid to become president. Eva Otahalova is involved in the campaign to support Senator Kerry; we asked her whether this meant he enjoyed great popularity in Horni Benesov.

John Kerry with his wife, photo: CTK

"Not really. Unfortunately, as the mayor of the town said earlier, the people have a lot of their own worries, there are a lot of economic problems. But the importance of this fact, that somebody from Horni Benesov went so far as the American Senate or the White House, is becoming more and more important."

You say you're supporting John Kerry's presidential campaign. How?

"Well unfortunately we're not able to support him financially, because Czech law doesn't allow it, but we want him to support him at least in this way - using the memory of his family and his roots."

So it's more moral support for Mr Kerry.

"Yes. Basically it's just moral support."

And why have you chosen to do this? How does it benefit the town of Horni Benesov?

"We think that such an important fact shouldn't just be left to lie in the town's archives. We think the world should know about Mr Kerry's roots and his history and his connection with this town. And we hope that the world's attention will bring some economic benefits, and definitely cultural benefits, to the town of Horni Benesov."

What does John Kerry think about it all? Have you spoken to him?

"Not personally, but we are in touch with his campaign team. People from the team support the idea, and we are in touch quite often. They like our ideas, and they support this project."

How much does he himself know about his Jewish forefathers and indeed his roots in a small town in what is now the Czech Republic?

"He knows a lot. He asked the Boston Globe magazine to find out about his roots, and they did a huge study of Mr Kerry, and as I read he was very excited about this and he was very happy to know about his roots."

You're also planning something called a "memorial to democracy" in honour of John Kerry and his family. Tell me more about that.

"Yes. The idea is to build a memorial to democracy in Horni Benesov. The idea of this project is basically the fact that the grandson of someone born in this very poor town in the Czech Republic could reach the United States Senate and maybe the White House."

And I suppose if he is elected President then you'd like him to visit.

"Well we want him to visit anyway."

It doesn't matter if he wins or not.

"No - our project doesn't depend on whether he's successful in the elections or not. We will be happy to welcome him as a senator or as a president. We don't mind."

Right. And the million dollar question - do you think he will win?

"Well I hope so!"