Obama as Messiah in Europe. False or right?

"Ich bin ein Berliner."
"Mr. Gorbachov, tear down that wall."
"In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more – not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the only way, the only way to protect our common security and advance our common humanity."
These are three American quotes from Berlin. First two are coldwar symbols of free world, the third one is a message in globalized century. Yes, I know, it is hard to compare highly symbolical and already many times interpreted words of JFK and Ronald Reagan with fresh and not yet digested words of 46-old Senator who might be once President of the USA. But this will not be quote for historical textbooks, I am almost sure.
Europeans have been desperate to see and hear Barack Obama like Messiah. There were about 200 000 people gathered, more than at any US rally, says Politico (my favourite online source on US politics). Europe seems to be fed up by Mr. Bush and his handling of international affairs.
But will there be any difference, if Oval office will be occupied for the first time in American history by Afroamerican?
It seems to me that not so much. Obama called in Berlin for closer cooperation between US and Europe. What does that mean for Europe? More European soldiers and helicopters in Afghanistan and Darfur, unified European position in dealing with China or Russia, stronger European voice in trade talks. I doubt that crowd in Berlin, where we could see posters like "Obama for Kanzler", was aware of what is the content of message which nicely speaking man in front of them is telling.
America has its own problems nowadays, nicely described in leading article of the last issue of The Economist. It is hard to imagine that new US president will have as a priority to improve his relations with Europe, especialy in case that leftleaning Obama should deal with rightleaning majority of European leaders, who are absorbed by their own problems with Lisbon treaty, immigrants and economic slowdown.
I have serious doubts that there are going to be a big differencies in the US-European relations after November. We live in a world, where globalisation is forcing leaders of Western world to defensive rather than offensive positions, we can see that for example in business where more and more companies from emerging economies is buying good old brands in "old world". Obama does not seem to offer any new revolutionary idea how to reverse this trend.
Even Obama is now darling not only of American, but also of European media, he still has brand of anti-free trade politicians with suspiciously often changed opinions. We should be aware of him as a leader, even he could do better than George W. Bush.
And final note for European left: Many people like to compare Obama to JFK, even he did not make A QUOTE in Berlin. But do not forget that was JFK who increased number of US soldiers in Vietnam from 800 advisors to 16 000 combat troops and who did not dare to get engaged with Soviet Union over missile base in Cuba.

Russian revenge for Czech radar

So here we are: A day after Czech Republic signed aggreement with the US about stationing of antimissile radar Czech oil companies has been witnessing decrease of input of oil in the pipe Drushba from Russia. Official explanation is as usual: technical problems. But there is no doubt that we are punished by Kremlin for our highly sensitive and political decision to underline our alliance with the US.
Fortunately, we have another pipe from West which could easily cover Czech consuption as last week has shown. But Czech companies now have to search for oil at other markets and buy it for slightly higher prices than long time contracted Russian oil from Drushba.
We are aware of Lithuanian story from 2006 with "technical problems" with their part of Drushba, after they have privatized Mazeiku refinery to Polish PKN Orlen and not to Russian Lukoil. That pipe is still empty even Lithuania has been offering help to Russians to repaire technical problems (at least Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas recently has told me that).
Czech officials stress that at stake there is Russian position as reliable business partner for EU countries, but we have not heard any strong word from Brussels up to now to support that cause.
EU common energy policy is not existing as well as "political solidarity", it seems to me. Russians are playing well they usual "divide and rule" policy, especialy in energy. They prefer bilateral talks and contracts than dealing with EU as one entity - if there is any EU common interest in energy at all. Silence from Brussels (at least in media) seems to point out that decision by Czech government to host American radar and strengthen our transatlantic relations is right.

How to make A HISTORY by the Czech way

It is hard to be blogger and journalist in classical media at the same time. Especialy when your country is going through historical change, which is not trackable on the first sight. Too much work, too much thoughts going through your had and too much doubts about the result.
This week Czech government signed historical agreement about antimissile radar being stationed in Czech Republic. Of course, there will be problem for government coalition, which rely on three deputies, to push agreement through parliament, but Prime Minister Topolanek has showed many times he and his team are skilful political pragmatics.
Historical moment is going on under the surface of daily news. If US government wants to have part of strategic project to be stationed in Central Europe, therefore it is means huge geopolitical shift - and Russians have reason to be angry: from their point of view they are loosing Central Europe geostrategicaly (energy dependence and FSB agents remain).
Quarreling with Poles about Patriots is just a game, Poles are petty traders as usual, they need a good bargain for domestic political purposes. But finaly, at least what I have heard from insiders on Polish political scene, they will accept US conditions and base with interceptors.
So, what remains? To persuade Czech social democrats (at least few of them) to support radar agreement in parliament, maybe as exchange for Lisbon treaty- Yes, this is POLITICAL BARGAIN. Czech "conservatives" have their doubts about Lisbon, Czech "socialists" about radar base. There are regional elections in November and US presidential ones. Czechs will not be able to make a compromise until then as well as the left will be waiting if - just in case - Barack Obama will not postpone or erase radar base plans at all.
Only between mid-November and mid-December there is small window of opportunity to make something with Lisbon and radar. This will be the end of history(cal moment) of shifting balance in Central Europe.