Within an hour of the Slovak declaration Havel announced his resignation as Czechoslovak President with effect from July 20.

This was signed by 160 writers, including the Czechoslovak President, Vaclav Havel.

The Czechoslovak President, tieless in black denim jeans and a lavender shirt, is a world-renowned playwright who looks younger than his 53 years.

He then paid a state visit to the United Kingdom on March 21-23, the first by a Czechoslovak President since 1923.

The same year, it won the first prize in its class in the Czechoslovak President of the Republic Competition.

Husak symbolises 21 lost years The Czechoslovak President has become one of Europe's old men with nowhere left to go.

"The wheel of history cannot be turned back," the Czechoslovak President, Vaclav Havel, declared.

His visit was also questioned in a front-page open letter by Lidove Noviny, a daily that is close to the Czechoslovak President.

As little more than a ceremonial figurehead, the Czechoslovak President has few constitutional powers.

During Vaclav Havel's recent visit to the West, the Czechoslovak President said, "we value your advice and moral support far more than your money."