Czechoslovakia's 'Velvet Divorce'
30 years ago, Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The Prime Ministers who orchestrated it, V谩clav Klaus and Vladim铆r Me膷iar, speak to Ben Henderson.
30 years ago this month, Czechoslovakia split into the separate states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
It was a rare instance of a state separating without a single life being lost. Thanks to this it became known as the 鈥榁elvet Divorce鈥�.
Rather than putting it to a vote, the country and its assets were divided behind closed doors by the Czech and Slovak leaders, V谩clav Klaus and Vladim铆r Me膷iar, who became the Prime Ministers of their newly independent states. Ben Henderson speaks to both of them about their memories from the time.
(Photo: V谩clav Klaus and Vladim铆r Me膷iar negotiate the split. Credit: Zehl Igor/膶TK)
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