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Carolina (English) No 153
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STUDENT'S E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Faculty of Social Science of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
e-mail: CAROLINA@cuni.cz
tel: (+42 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+42 2) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 153, Friday, March 31, 1995.
EVENTS FOR THE WEEK MARCH 22-29
Trade Unions Protest Social Reforms
Some 90,000 union workers turned out to proclaim their disapproval
of government-proposed social reforms Saturday on Prague's Old Town
Square. Also at the rally were Milos Zeman, chairman of the Social
Democrats, Jiri Dienstbier, chairman of the Free Democrats, and
representatives of both the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia and
the Party of the Democratic Left.
Among the slogans on protesters' banners were "Falbr to the
Castle," "Falbr: Father to All Workers," and "Workers: the Victim of
Reforms." Richard Falbr is the president of the Bohemian-Moravian
Association of Trade Unions.
Falbr in his speech said the unions did not want social reform
inspired by underdeveloped countries. He said unions recognized the need
for social reform but that the time had not yet come.
The unions seek to postpone for five years the decision to raise
the retirement age. Also they support an early retirement option and
child support payments at a single level regardless of parental income.
Further, they are calling for contributions for funerals and births.
No violence took place at the rally. Stepanka Kucerova/Katerina Rus
Says Klaus: Union Rally a Political Stunt
Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus called Saturday's union rally a
political display in his appearance the next day on TV Nova's talkshow
"7 or Seven Days."
"I have no doubt when I read slogans like 'Falbr to the Castle' -
that is politics, not a dispute with employers," Klaus said. He also
said the unions had overestimated the turnout for the rally, and that
the real number was closer to 50,000 not 90,000.
Klaus accused union leader Richard Falbr of speaking in "a nasty
tone of voice" about his offer to renew talks between the government and
union leaders in return for calling off the rally. Klaus made the offer
to Falbr during the recent U.N. summit on social affairs in Copenhagen.
"Just as nastily, just as mercilessly, just as publicly, I declare:
Mr. Falbr thought the offer was proper and acceptable when we were
sitting together at the dinner table," said Klaus. "All he said was that
he would have to ask his colleagues if they agreed."
"We were very pleased that the event went so calmly," said Social
Democrat leader Milos Zeman. "We appreciate that the unions were not
scared into calling off the rally by the prime minister's offer."
According to Communist Party Vice Chairman Miloslav Ransdorf, the
rally was directed against the two most prominent characteristics of
today's society - "Private poverty and public corruption."
Stepanka Kucerova/Katerina Rus
School of Social Sciences Loses Exceptional Teacher and Individual
Former Czechoslovak Environment Minister Josef Vavrousek died in
the High Tatra Mountains. Friday, March 17, he and his 19-year-old
daughter Petra set out on a hike and nine days later the Mountain Rescue
Service found his body buried under an avalanche in the Parichvost
valley under the Jalovec Saddle. Vavrousek's daughter is still missing.
The search has been hampered by extremely bad weather conditions.
Josef Vavrousek was born Sept. 15, 1944, in Prague. He took his
bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Machine Engineering at the Czech
Technical College. In 1968 he took part in the Lambarene student trip to
assist the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Gabon.
He then worked at the Research Institute for the Development of
Science and Technology until 1990, when he became Minister of
Environment for the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and chairman of
the Federal Committee on the Environment.
In recent years, he served at Charles University's Faculty of
Social Sciences (FSV UK) as assistant dean and taught human ecology. He
was also a founder and leader of the Society for Sustainable Life.
Vavrousek was one of the few environmentalists capable of rational
arguments in political debate with a clear view of the future. He
rejected both environmental fanaticism and a purely economic view of the
world. His conception of environmental protection was related to
a broader notion: the reclassification of human values.
Vavrousek linked the solution of environmental problems to
a departure from consumption-oriented lifestyles, to an awareness of
greater responsibility for the world around us and for the life of other
humans, both in the present and in the future.
In one of his lectures he quoted from Antoine de Saint-Exupery's
"Little Prince" - We are responsible for everything we have bound to
ourselves - calling for modesty and greater respect for nature. And he
held to his principles in life. Martin Kupka/J. Schneider
Former Communist Functionary Founds New Party
Dissatisfaction with the current Communist Party of Bohemia and
Moravia (KSCM) has led pre-1989 Communist Party Central Committee member
Miroslav Stepan to found the Party of Czechoslovak Communists (SCK). The
SCK registered with the Interior Ministry March 10.
"Five years after the rash change that took place here, the KSCM
still has not said whether or not it was for the better, they have not
explained what the Communists' standing in the state was at that time,"
said Stepan with respect to the current Communists in parliament.
KSCM Chairman Miroslav Grebenicek said the followers of Stepan's
new party were "persons incapable of viewing reality without emotions"
and that they "do not want to hear even the slightest reminder of the
former regime."
Stepan denied that the SCK viewed the days of communism with
nostalgia, saying they realized what was good and what was bad about it.
"The main orientation of the party will be on the present and the
future, which is what the KSCM lacks," said Stepan.
Stepanka Kucerova/Andrea Snyder
Sculptor Sentenced for Standing Up to Skinheads
Prague City Court on Tuesday sentenced Czech sculptor Pavel
Opocensky to three years in prison for homicide. The court found him
guilty of stabbing 17-year-old skinhead Ales Martinu in March 1991.
Martinu died as a result of his injuries.
In 1992 Opocensky received a two-year suspended sentence with four
years probation. But he appealed the decision to the Supreme Court,
which then rejected the sentence and referred the case back to Prague
City Court. Both Opocensky and the state prosecutor have appealed the
City Court's decision.
According to his testimony, Opocensky, a citizen of the United
States though born Czech, intervened on behalf of two pedestrians who
were being attacked by a group of Czech and Austrian skinheads, aged 15
to 20. He said he was trying to draw the attention of the young racists
away from their targets, which was why he pulled out his knife. They
then encircled him and threatened him with iron bars (known here as
"tonfy") and in the resulting confrontation he stabbed one of them.
Many of the witnesses questioned repeatedly denied Opocensky's
account of the events, saying he did not act purely in self-defense. The
Court Senate came to the conclusion that Opocensky was standing alone
with Martinu at the time of the stabbing and therefore recommended
a tougher punishment. The stiffest sentence for assault in this country
is five years in prison.
"All of those witnesses saw the skins attack me, but they're scared
to testify because the skins would take revenge on them. I didn't do
a thing, all I did was defend myself as I have the right to do,"
Opocensky told Carolina after Tuesday's court session.
Under the Czech legal system, Opocensky would have been cleared of
the charges only if the judge found that he had defended himself with
the same level of aggression as his attackers. But none of the witnesses
would testify that the sculptor was attacked before he used his knife.
Jiri Chvojka/J. Chvojka
Government Recommends Tougher Requirements for Security Agencies
The roughly 3,000 private security agencies in the Czech Republic,
employing 40,000 to 60,000 people, are now going to have to apply for
a special license from the Ministry of Interior. Up until now, all they
needed was a business license, but based on past experience with some of
the agencies, the government has decided to toughen the requirements.
On March 22 the government recommended stricter measures for
adoption by Parliament. Interior Minister Jan Ruml said that because
this private enterprise is closely connected with the maintenance of
public order it needs to be regulated with special legislation.
Any Czech older than 25 will be eligible for a license, though only
after a thorough investigation into their past, and agency employees
will have to be at least 21. The Interior Ministry would also reserve
the right to approve or not approve agencies' uniforms.
Jakub Krejci/J. Schneider
Schengen Agreement Takes Effect
While less than six years have passed since the celebrated opening
of the borders to the West, a new border has been created. Not an iron
curtain, but a Schengen curtain.
On March 26 the Schengen Agreement, which reduces monitoring of
individuals at borders within the seven countries of the European Union
but tightens security on their external borders, became reality.
Although the agreement was signed 10 years ago, political, economic
and technical problems had prevented it from taking effect, as some EU
countries were not able to connect to the Union's information system
within the established time frame.
It is assumed that security will be tightened most on the German,
Czech and Polish borders, meaning that for the first time in several
years, the citizens of Central and Eastern Europe will relive the nearly
forgotten, unpleasant feeling of inspections on the external borders of
the "Schengen countries."
The most visible result of this will probably be long lines. The
inspections will focus on travelers who are not from the EU, with border
guards checking whether or not they are wanted by the law.
Poland has spoken out strongly against these measures, and is
refusing to build separate exit gates for EU-country travelers. "Warsaw
does not understand why Poles should be treated like second-rate
citizens," said a spokesperson from the Polish Foreign Ministry.
According to German Interior Minister Manfred Kanther, the Schengen
Agreement is the "mile marker to a united Europe" and will serve
primarily in the battle against crime. Peter Hosek/Andrea Snyder
FROM SLOVAKIA
Meciar Elected to Head HZDS Yet Again
Vladimir Meciar was confirmed in his post as party chairman at last
weekend's congress of the Movement for Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), which
was strictly closed to both the press and the public.
The Slovak prime minister was reelected unanimously, receiving all
224 votes from the congress delegates. Meciar intentionally invalidated
his own ballot, making himself the only holdout.
Also reelected were all of the HZDS vice chairs - Olga Keltosova,
Sergej Kozlik and Augustin Marian Huska. Arpad Matejka was voted into
the newly created function of fourth vice chair.
The main topics of discussion at the congress were the activities
of President Michal Kovac and the recently signed Slovak-Hungarian pact
of friendship - both of which were spoken of in critical tones - as well
as the status of the Slovak media and changes in the HZDS statutes.
Lukas Zentel/Martina Vojtechovska
BUSINESS/ECONOMICS
National Property Fund to Be Primary Shareholder in Czech Airlines
After more than 70 years Czechoslovak Airlines (CSA) changed its
name on Sunday to Czech Airlines (still CSA). At the same time the
National Property Fund (FNM) took advantage of the change to correct
previous errors in the calculation of the company's basic assets.
As Czechoslovak Airlines, CSA's worth had been overestimated by
nearly 750 million Kc. To correct the error the FNM bought up more than
46,000 shares, valued at 746.9 million Kc, in the new CSA. The same
number of shares was then immediately withdrawn, leaving the company's
basic assets at the same level but with a different distribution of
ownership. The FNM is now the majority owner, with more than 55 percent
of the shares.
The consent of all of CSA's shareholders was needed for the change,
as per the Business Code. Martina Vojtechovska/M. Vojtechovska
Exchange Rates of the Czech National bank (valid from Mar 29)
Checks Cash
country buy sell middle buy sell
Great Britain 1 GPB 41,305 42,075 41,848 40,43 43,27
France 1 FRF 5,264 5,316 5,290 5,09 5,49
Japan 100 JPY 29,179 29,473 29,326 28,03 30,63
Canada 1 CAD 18,550 18,736 18,643 17,75 19,53
Austria 1 ATS 2,636 2,662 2,649 2,59 2,71
Germany 1 DEM 18,555 18,741 18,648 18,19 19,11
Switzerland 1 CHF 22,488 22,714 22,601 22,10 23,10
USA 1 USD 25,989 26,251 26,120 25,42 26,82
Slovakia 1 XCU -- -- 34,092 -- --
CULTURE
1994 Thalia Theater Prizes
Thalia is not only the muse of comedy but also the highest level of
recognition in this country for exceptional stage performances. Sunday
evening the 1994 Thalia awards, judged and presented by the Acting
Association, were handed out in the historical building of Prague's
National Theater for the second time.
The Thalias are given in three categories - drama, opera and ballet
- along with special awards for lifelong contribution to Czech theater.
This year's drama awards went to Vera Galatikova for the role of
Hecuba in "The Conquerors of Troy" and Vaclav Postranecky for his
interpretation of Podkolatov in Gogol's "The Wedding."
In the opera category Ivan Kusnjer took home a Thalia for his Tonio
in "The Comedians" and Helena Taupova received a prize for her vocal
performance of Tatiana in "Eugene Onegin."
In ballet the winners were Jan Kadlec, a cabaret dancer in the
Czech adaptation of "Some Like It Hot," and Zuzana Parmova who danced
Antonina in the Tchaikovski ballet.
For lifelong contributions, Acting Association President Jan Teply
awarded prizes to Zora Rozsypalova (drama), Maria Tauberova (opera) and
Miroslav Kura (ballet).
(from the National Theater for Carolina) Tomas Kopecny/M. Vojtechovska
Too Loud a Solitude Comes to Czech Cinemas
The latest Czech film is a French-Czech coproduction "Prilis hlucna
samota" ("Too Loud a Solitude"), based on the Bohumil Hrabal novel and
directed by Vera Caisova, a Czech director who lives in France.
Caisova entrusted the leading role of Hanti to the popular French
actor Phillippe Noiret. Supporting him are Vlastimil Brodsky, Kveta
Fialova, Jiri Menzel and a number of others, both Czech and French.
Hrabal himself, who celebrated his 81st birthday the same day as the
film's premiere, also has a cameo appearance.
The effect of the movie is very autobiographical, which was
intentional, according to Caisova, who said she tried to remain faithful
to the original book. It is being shown here dubbed into Czech.
(from Praha Theater for Carolina) Tomas Kopecny/Eftychia Damianidou
Czech Television Buys Popular Slovak Comedian
Czech Television will soon begin live broadcasts of Slovak comedian
and satirist Milan Markovic, known for his biting commentary on Slovak
politics. According to reports in the Czech press, Czech TV signed a
contract with Paczelt last week.
Markovic's cabaret-style satire appeared regularly on Slovak
Television up until the end of 1994, when the Slovak Ministry of Culture
itself had the top-ranked show pulled from the air.
Markovic will appear on Czech TV live for the first time May 27
from the Branik Theater in Prague, with more shows to come in September
and December. Ludek S. Stanek/E. Damianidou
Americans Rule Czech Movie Theaters
Seven American films and three Czech productions constitute the 10
most-viewed films of the past week. The top three were all from the
United States, with "Interview With a Vampire" at no. 1, followed by
"The Mask" and "Star Gate."
"Playgirls 1" came in at no. 4, the top-ranked Czech motion
picture. Other Czech productions in the top 10 were "Diky za kazde nove
rano" ("Thank You for Each New Morning") and "Byl jednou jeden polda"
("Once Upon a Time There Was a Cop"), at no. 8 and no. 9, respectively.
Also in the top 10 was "Forrest Gump," king of the Oscars for 1994.
Tomas Kopecny/Andrea Snyder
SPORTS
Sparta Praha Coach Jurgen Sundermann Sacked
In Carolina no. 140 we wrote that the Sparta Praha soccer team was
stabilizing with respect to last autumn. This no longer holds true, as
Coach Jurgen Sundermann of Germany was given the boot this week despite
that Sparta has yet to lose a point this spring and has moved up to no.
2 in the league standings.
Club officials said the reason for the decision was Sundermann's
statement to the press that he would be leaving Prague in June. "It
could have a bad influence on the players," said Manager Jozef Chovanec.
In Sundermann's place Sparta officials named Jozef Jarabinsky, the
fourth Sparta coach already this season. Jarabinsky played on four
Sparta championship teams in the past, and has coached both Slavia Praha
and Union Cheb. Rudolf Cernik/Mirek Langer
Young Kickers Defeat Belarus
One day before the A-team match, the Czech and Belarussian
under-21 sides met in Vitkovice in a qualification match for the
European championships. The Czechs did their duty, winning 2:0 (1:0) on
goals by Lokvenc and Novotny. The Czech under-21s are now third in the
standings with three wins and a tie. Ruda Cernik/Mirek Langer
Hockey Extra-league Has Its Finalists
Zlin became the second Extra-league finalist after the decisive
fifth match of the Kladno-Zlin series, winning 5:1.
Also the last match was played in the group of ninth to 12th place.
Jihlava beat Vitkovice 6:3 but finished next to last before Vitkovice.
Sparta Praha and Pardubice placed ninth and 10th respectively.
The battle among first-league squads to advance to the Extra-league
also finished, with Trinec and Brno moving up. Mirek Langer/M. Langer
Extra-league Championship Still Well-Balanced
The ice hockey final between Vsetin and Zlin began in Vsetin over
the weekend with great interest on the part of spectators.
Zlin had a surprisingly easy win over Vsetin in the first match,
leading 6:0 after two periods. The second match was not as obvious, and
Vsetin managed a victory to balance the series score at 1:1. The next
two matches will be played in Zlin on Thursday and Friday, with the
fifth match, if needed, again in Vsetin on Sunday.
Results: Vsetin-Zlin 3:6, 2:1.
Kladno and Ceske Budejovice, the defeated semifinalists, are now
facing off for the bronze medal. After matches in Kladno and in Ceske
Budejovice the series score is 1:1. Thanks to its higher standing at the
end of the regular season, the deciding match will be played in Kladno.
Results: Kladno-Ceske Budejovice 3:5, 5:4.
Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Behind the monitor of the computer in which this week's Carolina is
hatching, we look out the window and what do we see? It is snowing and
snowing, the white-blanketed rooftops and tree branches creating a true
winter atmosphere. Despite the date, winter marches on, so instead of
the traditional marbles the kids are pulling their sleds back out of the
cellars. Michal Vynohradnyk and Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
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