Czech President Pledges to Fight Anti-semitism

President Vaclav Havel of Czechoslovakia pledged Wednesday night that his government will do everything possible to eradicate signs of anti-Semitism in his country.

Havel said that indications of racism and anti-Semitism are among the problems “increasing rather than decreasing” in Czechoslovakia since that country’s “velvet revolution” nearly two years ago.

But he told the nearly 250 persons at a dinner sponsored by B’nai B’rith International that “I want to assure you that we are aware of this problem. We do not underestimate it.”

Havel said that his government will seek to end anti-Semitism and racism by creating a democratic society and educating young people, as well as the general population, to be tolerant.

“We shall also strive for a situation where public opinion will not allow any manifestations of anti-Semitism and racism,” said Havel, who ended a state visit to Washington on Thursday.

At the dinner, Havel received B’nai B’rith International’s Gold Medal for Statesmanship from Kent Schiner, the organization’s president.

Schiner praised Havel, a playwright, for being an “articulate and persistent fighter for human rights” who suffered political oppression and imprisonment before leading his country in its nonviolent turn to democracy.

Havel was also praised for establishing new ties with Jews around the world and was specifically cited for hosting Israeli President Chaim Herzog, the first Israeli president to visit Czechoslovakia.

Proceeds from the dinner will help finance the activities of the B’nai B’rith lodges that have been re-established in Czechoslovakia, Schiner said.