Czech President heaps praise on Libertas founder Ganley
Controversial Czech President Vaclav Klaus last night heaped praise on Libertas founder Declan Ganley who led the campaign to defeat the Lisbon referendum praising him as an Irish dissident.
After meeting Mr Ganley, in a move which embarrassed the Government, he attacked the EU for making a "radical shift" from integration to supernationalism.
"The Lisbon treaty is something which accelerates the shift," said President Klaus after his dinner with Mr Ganley.
However, Government sources had earlier said they would not be commenting on the private aspects of his official visit.
Freedom and democracy would not be enhanced by ratification of the treaty, he told a joint press conference with Mr Ganley.
"Because of our communist past we Czechs are extremely sensitive to the idea of freedom and democracy, and perhaps over-sensitive when we see some ways of constraining democracy."
President Klaus said he was very sympathetic with those who were "not quite happy" with plans to re-stage the referendum, having followed the Irish vote and previous referenda in France and Netherlands in which plebiscites on the constitution were defeated.
The president denied it was rude or cheeky, or a breach of protocol, for him to host a private dinner with Mr Ganley during a State visit.
- Senan Molony
