Press Review

All of today's papers offer a variety of top stories ranging from French President Jacques Chirac's scorning words to EU candidate countries over their stand on Iraq to Senator Richard Falbr's possible candidacy for president.

"Chirac attacks the Czech Republic" reads a headline in MLADA FRONTA DNES, referring to Mr Chirac's strong words in response to a recent open letter signed by eight European leaders including former Czech President Vaclav Havel, showing solidarity with the US.

The paper quotes Mr Chirac as saying that the states' behaviour was infantile, irresponsible and dangerous, adding that this would have been a good opportunity for them to stay silent and could lead to consequences. Mr Chirac made the statement shortly after an EU summit in Brussels on Monday during which member states agreed that a war against Iraq should only be a last resort, after all attempts at solving the problem peacefully have failed. With the candidate countries supporting the US, they have betrayed the EU family even before joining it, the paper quotes the French president.

Moving on to some domestic news. The upcoming presidential election makes the headline in today's LIDOVE NOVINY, which says Monday saw a surprising twist in the battle for Prague Castle. The former trade union leader and current Social Democratic Senator Richard Falbr did not rule out his candidacy for president.

In a Czech Radio discussion programme, Mr Falbr said he would consider standing for president if the current most likely candidate of the ruling coalition, Jan Sokol fails to get enough support from the Social Democrats. Mr Sokol's position on subjects such as the expulsion of the Sudeten Germans, university fees, abortion and the importance of the Christian catechism could be unacceptable to some Social Democrats, the paper quotes Mr Falbr as saying.

And staying with the presidential elections, the man considered the founding father of the Civic Democrats and presidential candidate from day one, Vaclav Klaus is now transforming himself into a man above party politics, according to MLADA FRONTA DNES. The paper writes that Mr Klaus has been trumpeting his distance from Civic Democratic affairs in an effort to gain the support of the junior coalition parties, whose votes are imperative if Mr Klaus is to stand a chance in the elections.

If you think that members of the Prague Castle Guard represent an elite military unit, think again. PRAVO reports on a court case against a Castle guard psychologist, which has disclosed shocking behaviour, including sex, violence, and the abuse of alcohol. The psychologist is accused of having humiliated, beaten, threatened and even raped and otherwise abused members of the elite unit. The victims are believed to have had to suffer this harassment throughout 2001 and part of 2002.

The country's leading business paper, HOSPODARSKE NOVINY looks at a controversial draft law that was approved by the cabinet on Monday. While the current law on construction allows land to be expropriated only when it is in the public's interest, the draft would extend it to serve the interest of the private investor. While the government says it would improve the business environment in the country, its main aim is to avoid complications surrounding the buyout of land, the paper claims. The draft, which must be approved by Parliament has already been rejected by the Civic Democrats and the Communists.