Czech scientists condemn preparations of Danube-Oder waterway

Several Czech scientists have criticised the decision to launch preparations for the first part of the Danube-Oder-Elbe inland waterway on the Oder river between the city of Ostrava and the Polish border, which the government made on Monday. The project is megalomaniac and it will irretrievably harm nature, the scientists, including the deans of all Czech faculties of natural sciences, said in their statement. In reaction to the protest, the Transport Ministry said it was misleading. "The investment preparation of this section is certainly no decision on the start of the project as a whole," Transport Ministry Frantisek Jemelka said.