President describes November 17th, 1989 as "key moment" in Czech history

President Vaclav Klaus as well as the prime minister and other public figures have marked the 16th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. 16 years ago this day an attack by riot police against demonstrating students on Prague's Narodni trida sparked mass protests that led to the fall of Czechoslovakia's communist regime. Speaking with journalists on Thursday President Klaus described November 17th, 1989 as a "key moment in Czech history", saying those who had experienced the events that followed "experienced the birth of freedom".

Accompanied by Prague Lord Mayor Pavel Bem, and Senate chairman Premysl Sobotka, Mr Klaus laid flowers at the site where students on Narodni trida were attacked. A little later in the day the site was also visited by Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek.