Pavel’s Visit: Spotlight on Security and Foreign Affairs

Czech President Petr Pavel’s visit to La Grange on Saturday, July 13, brought with it one of the largest VIP security operations ever witnessed in Fayette County.

More than a dozen uniformed officers from the United States Secret Service, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, La Grange Police Department and other agencies stood watch during the proceedings. Many more officers in plain clothes from the Secret Service and the Czech Presidential Security team also patrolled the grounds.

A bomb-sniffing dog with the DPS checked bags and equipment from the press corps covering the event.

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath said he met with the U.S. Secret Service ahead of Pavel’s visit. Gilbreath said they discussed plans for possible scenarios involving protests or riots. Thankfully, the event was entirely peaceful.

Just a few hours later, the world watched the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on live television.

Political violence has been on the rise in President Pavel’s corner of the globe. Back in May, a political dissident in the Czech Republic’s neighbor Slovakia shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia share many historical and cultural ties, and they once were united under the nation of Czechoslovakia from 1928 to 1992. Fico’s would-be assassin, Juraj Cintula, had written against the Prime Minister’s policies, including Fico’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine War. Fico is seen as one of the most pro-Russia leaders in the European Union.

Pavel, on the other hand, is a vocal critic of Russia. Just last week during his visit to Houston, Pavel announced that the Czech Republic will provide Ukraine with up to 100,000 artillery shells per month to aid in the fight against Russia.

The Record touched on this subject during a very brief interview with the Czech President during his visit to La Grange. The huge wave of Czech immigration to this part of Texas during the 19th and early 20th century came largely after the Austro-Hungarian Empire implemented universal military conscription in 1868. So many of these immigrants moved here to escape fighting wars on behalf of what they considered a foreign empire ruling their country.

The Record asked Pavel if he sees any similarities today regarding the war in Ukraine, and if Eastern Europe might be witnessing a new diaspora.

“There are a number of Ukrainians leaving the country,” Pavel said. “It’s probably natural because people have fear. At the same time, we have to respect our home country and sacrifice for it. A number of Ukrainians are fighting. A number of Ukrainians in foreign countries are coming back to fight. If there is some percentage of those who are leaving, I think we will see it in every country.”

Both Russia and Ukraine face increasing condemnation from international observers over their efforts to draft more and more war fighters. In some cases, citizen-journalists have documented military “press gangs” grabbing men off the street to go and fight, often with little training or equipment.