ČSSD and ODS are arguing over Kaplický

Prague - The sudden death of the famous architect and author of the controversial National Library project, Jan Kaplický, has not only saddened his loved ones and supporters but has also led to political scuffles. Jiří Paroubek, the leader of the opposition ČSSD, said today that the ODS's politics restricts creative freedom and that some representatives of the largest governing party, who participated in the campaign against his project, should reflect on their actions. He was joined by the shadow culture minister of the ČSSD, Vítězslav Jandák. The ODS sharply rebuffed their statements.
    The way these top representatives of the ČSSD do not hesitate to exploit a personal human tragedy to attack their political opponent is a manifestation of utmost bad taste, states a press release sent to ČTK by Milan Bouška from the ODS press department.
    According to the leader of the Social Democracy, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek, Prague Mayor Pavel Bém, and President Václav Klaus were involved in the campaign against the project.
    "Remarks from representatives of the ODS, who perhaps haven't traveled beyond their own borders, and thus don't see similar buildings in the world, on the topic of 'chrchel' and similar, I consider to be very inappropriate," Paroubek told reporters today. He referred to Kaplický's design as "chrchel." The term was used by David Vodrážka, who became the second-in-command of the party at the ODS congress in November.
    Paroubek also stated that he sympathizes with the statements made by Kaplický's friends. "I can sympathize with them, but I am a politician and do not want to get into positions other than entirely factual," he said. For example, the former director of the National Library, Vlastimil Ježek, referring to the quarrels surrounding the project, said that Kaplický was killed by Czech pettiness. According to him, people who will leave nothing behind, in contrast to Kaplický, made his life miserable.
    "For no one, especially for a man as sensitive as Mr. Kaplický, could that year-long campaign against him have a positive effect. From what I knew of him, he found it very difficult to bear," said Paroubek.
    "For those who contributed to the scandalization of his person and work, this should be a warning that politicians should not try to speak into the arts," Jandák said in today's Lidové noviny.
    The ODS certainly rejects such a way of political competition, according to their statement. The party feels deep sorrow over the sudden death of the architect and expresses sincere condolences to his entire family and friends, it states.