The Velvet Divorce is an interesting aspect of Havel’s legacy to me as a Slovak-American. From what I understand and I am by no means justifying Tiso allying with the Axis, but apparently Slovaks felt the Czechs dominated Czechoslovakia in the 20’s and 30’s politically and stuff. Havel showed he was a statesman by being willing to let them go independent and from what I understand Czech-Slovak relations are strong. Just don’t call me Czech ;). My cousin who works with Slovaks since the Eastern European students do a lot of summer work in Ocean City, Maryland likes to tease them by pretending to be an ignorant tourist when she’s off duty at work and asks them if they’re Russian. Good laughs.