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Vaclav Havel, Czech leader and playwright, dies at 75 Vaclav Havel, Czech leader and playwright, dies at 75
(about 1 hour later)
  
Vaclav Havel, the Czech Republic's first president after the Velvet Revolution against communist rule, has died at the age of 75.Vaclav Havel, the Czech Republic's first president after the Velvet Revolution against communist rule, has died at the age of 75.
The former dissident playwright, who suffered from prolonged ill-health, died on Sunday morning, his secretary Sabina Tancecova said.The former dissident playwright, who suffered from prolonged ill-health, died on Sunday morning, his secretary Sabina Tancecova said.
As president, he presided over Czechoslovakia's transition to democracy and a free-market economy.As president, he presided over Czechoslovakia's transition to democracy and a free-market economy.
He oversaw its peaceful 1993 split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.He oversaw its peaceful 1993 split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Havel first came to international fame as a dissident playwright in the 1970s through his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77.Havel first came to international fame as a dissident playwright in the 1970s through his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77.
"Vaclav Havel was one of the greatest Europeans of our age," Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt wrote in reaction on Twitter. 'Great European'
"His voice for freedom paved way for a Europe whole and free." Tributes have been pouring in for the man many consider a driving force in the overthrow of communist rule in eastern Europe.
Wilfried Martens, former prime minister of Belgium and current head of the centre-right European People's Party in the European Parliament tweeted: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Vaclav Havel; his legacy will continue to inspire the ongoing struggles for freedom and democracy." German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed Havel as a "great European" in a letter of condolence to Czech President Vaclav Klaus.
"His fight for freedom and democracy was as unforgettable as his great humanity," wrote Mrs Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany.
"We Germans in particular have much for which we are grateful to him. We mourn this loss of a great European with you," she wrote.
In a Twitter post, British Foreign Secretary William Hague called Havel a "Cold War hero".
"He opened the door to democracy in Eastern Europe and will always be remembered," Mr Hague said.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also reacted on Twitter: "Vaclav Havel was one of the greatest Europeans of our age. His voice for freedom paved way for a Europe whole and free."
Havel died at his country home north-east of Prague.Havel died at his country home north-east of Prague.
In his final moments, he was comforted by his wife Dagmara and several nuns, his secretary was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.In his final moments, he was comforted by his wife Dagmara and several nuns, his secretary was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Havel had looked thin and drawn on recent public appearances, the BBC's Robert Cameron reports from Prague.Havel had looked thin and drawn on recent public appearances, the BBC's Robert Cameron reports from Prague.
When he met the visiting Dalai Lama in Prague this month, he appeared in a wheelchair.When he met the visiting Dalai Lama in Prague this month, he appeared in a wheelchair.
A former heavy smoker, Havel had a history of chronic respiratory problems dating back to his years in communist prisons.A former heavy smoker, Havel had a history of chronic respiratory problems dating back to his years in communist prisons.
He had part of a lung removed during surgery for cancer in the 1990s.He had part of a lung removed during surgery for cancer in the 1990s.
He was taken to hospital in Prague on 12 January 2009, with an unspecified inflammation, and developed breathing difficulties after undergoing minor throat surgery.He was taken to hospital in Prague on 12 January 2009, with an unspecified inflammation, and developed breathing difficulties after undergoing minor throat surgery.
Jiri Schneider, a deputy Czech foreign minister, told the BBC Havel had been a unifying figure at the time of the transition from communism.Jiri Schneider, a deputy Czech foreign minister, told the BBC Havel had been a unifying figure at the time of the transition from communism.
He had done much to put both Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic on the political map, Mr Schneider said.He had done much to put both Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic on the political map, Mr Schneider said.
"I think that without him it would have been much harder to get the Czech Republic and other countries in the region into Nato and the European Union, back to the family of free nations," he told BBC World News."I think that without him it would have been much harder to get the Czech Republic and other countries in the region into Nato and the European Union, back to the family of free nations," he told BBC World News.