Press Review

The news that France, Russia and Germany have decided to vote against a UN resolution that would sanction military action against Iraq has fuelled more speculation about whether war with Iraq can be averted. If the US and Great Britain decide to go to war they would not only be acting against public opinion at home - they would be in serious conflict with their allies, says Mlada Fronta Dnes.

So would President Bush and Prime Minister Blair be willing to risk that ? The paper thinks not, predicting that the stand of the "peace trio" in Europe will achieve a postponement of the war, at the least. What most European countries are advocating is to give UN inspectors more time, say until the end of March. If that should fail, then war would be justifiable which would make everything much easier. This is not just a question of winning the war against Saddam Hussain but of securing peace in its wake, the paper says.

On the domestic front, political analysts have plenty to say about what is going on within the Social Democratic party. The widespread concern stems not so much from the fact that it is the senior governing party as from the fact that as the Social Democrats grow weaker the Communists grow stronger. The communists are fighting an undercover war, says Lidove Noviny and its aim is clear: to destroy the Social Democrats. They want to be the sole important party left of centre and the only thing that is standing in their way is an unstable party torn by discord and ambition, the paper says.

Are the communists already reaping the fruits of their labour? Ever since the party helped right wing candidate Vaclav Klaus to win the presidency the papers have been watching and waiting to see what the rewards would be. Although there is no proof, the election of a communist party deputy to the Czech Television Council by Parliament on Wednesday is widely regarded with suspicion. Can the Civic Democrats be behind this - asks Mlada Fronta Dnes, noting the absurdity of having a communist act as a watchdog of media independence.

The former Prime Minister Milos Zeman - the man who led the Social Democrats to power - has received plenty of media attention, for he is believed to be behind the crisis rocking the senior governing party today. Lidove Noviny carries a two page interview with Mr. Zeman and Mlada Fronta Dnes has filled almost the same amount of space talking about his influence on the party today.

Milos Zeman retired last year after a successful term in office as Prime Minister, confirmed by his party's repeated victory in the elections. It was Mr. Zeman's own decision to retire from politics - so why is he rocking the boat today, pulling threads and manipulating loyal party members from his country cottage in Moravia?

Mlada Fronta Dnes believes it has the answer. Zeman made a fatal mistake when he announced his retirement -either that or it was a bluff that he didn't pull off, the paper says. Despite his notoriously bad relations with the press, Mr. Zeman thrived on publicity. He thrived on being at the centre of the action, he loved sparring with political opponents. Living the life of a pensioner somewhere in the highlands of Moravia must be hell, the paper says.

Mr. Zeman badly wanted to return to politics and a return to Prague Castle would have been the ideal way to do it. The fact that members of his own party thwarted him in this is not something he is ever likely to forgive, the paper notes. The least he can do is to make heads roll - but he may even be dreaming of a comeback.