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Carolina (English) No 164
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STUDENT'S E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
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 164, Friday, June 16, 1995.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (June 7-14)
Czech Government Decides to Cancel Payment Pact
June 8th, the Czech government decided one sidedly to cancel
a payment pact with Slovakia, said Premier Klas. If parliament
negotiates the cancelation agreement at its June meeting, clearing
accounts could be settled by October 1 of this year.
May 10th, Vaclav Klaus sent a letter, in which he offered Slovakia
a mutual cancelation of the payment pact, but received no response from
Slovak Premier, Vladimir Meciar. The Czech premier said the main reason
was the full exchangeability of the Czech crown. The Czech Republic and
Slovakia set their own rates which is accounted for by the European ECU
unit.
Vladimir Meciar replied by fax Wednesday, June 8 at 4:50 p.m.. His
fax stated that the payment agreement had fulfilled its purpose, but
that it should be cancelled gradually, while maintaining the validity of
some of the paragraphs. Klaus reacted by saying the Czech government's
decision can not be changed. He also expressed the necessity to initiate
negotiations between the two countries' financial ministries.
Czech Parliament Chairman of the Budget Committee, Tomas Jezek,
said that when parliament approves of the clearing agreement during its
June session, there will be no problems.
Doctors Demanding Resignation of Minister of Health
At the weekend conference of the Czech Physicians' Chamber (CLK),
the Minister of Health Ludek Rubas (Civic Democratic Party-ODS) and his
deputies were asked to resign from office. Minister Rubas refused.
The CLK conference was held to support the demands of the
Physicians' Professional Club (LOK) and the Union of Czech Physicians.
The demands include raising the minimal hourly wage to 150 Kc per hour
(it currently varies beteen 27 to 55 Kc per hour, sometimes even below
20 Kc), and the doubling of the average doctor's salary. If their
demands are not met by November 1st, doctors will support the union,
which means that they will strike, but only if the strike does not
endenager the health of their patients. June 12th, the Czech
Stomotological Chamber attended the final sessions of the CLK
conference, and according to president Jiri Pekarek, dentists, 80
percent of which are private, will also support the strike.
Premier and head of the strongest political party (ODS) Vaclav
Klaus told journalists that the resignation of Minister Rubas would not
be discussed at the ODS executive council meeting this weekend. He
commented on the demands as being "arragant nonsense."
Teachers to Strike First Day of School
June 12th, the Czechomoravian Union of School Workers (CMOS)
announced a teacher's strike on the first day of school, September 4th.
CMOS decided to protest the recent ministers' proposal to increase
wages by only 10 percent on August 1st, rather than the originally
proposed 20 percent on July 1st. The CMOS Assembly gathers union members
from elementary, secondary, and vocational schools. They consider all
levels of negotiation to be exhausted. Jaroslav Rossler, CMOS Chairman,
says that not only is CMOS demanding a 20 percent increase in July, but
also a 30 percent increase in January 1996. If this demand is not met,
he says a strike will occur.
The students of the state-owned highschools are more prosperous than
others
The students of the state-owned highschools are better in school
than students of non-state schools. This follows from the results of
a test given to the seniors of 29 state-owned and 18 private schools by
the Czech Scholastical Inspection. The differences were mainly in Math
and physics, according to the inspector Petr Roupec. The results in the
humanitarian subjects were almsot the same.
Vaclav Havel Awarded Honorable Degree at Harvard University
Czech President, Vaclav Havel, received an honorable doctorate from
Harvard University Thursday, June 8th. Friday evening, Havel met
privately with US President, Bill Clinton, and his wife Hillary. After
the meeting, Havel informed journalists that he and Clinton discussed
situations in both the Czech Republic and the USA. Further international
topics concerned Bosnia and Hercegovina, expanding NATO, and the
situation in the Russion federation. The Czech President returned to
Prague Sunday.
Czech officers are probably still in the Bosnian town Pale
Even though the Bosnian Serbs Tuesday 13th announced that they
would let the 144 left hostages go, the bs from Pale only contained
a group of 26 hostages. Among them was one of the Czech hostages, major
Zlatko Kozusnik. Major Karel Kratky and captain Oldrich Zidlik are
probably still in Pale. They should be released at the end of the week.
ODA Assembly Supports Jan Kalvoda
The Central Assembly of the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) met
Saturday in Cerna v Posumavi to discuss their position in the current
state of the party, and the livelyhood of their respective positions.
The court decided to support current Alliance leadership, and Jan
Kolvoda retained his position as chairman of the party. According to
Party Spokesman, David Rozanek, a large majority of the fifty-member
central assembly approved the decision.
Zdenek Mlynar an honourable chairman of the Left Wing
Professor Zdenek Mlynar (one of the protagonists of the Prazske
jaro - The Prague Spring)was chosen to be the chairman of the Left wing.
This took place at a meeting of the republican committee on Saturday. He
was also chosen to be the representative of this political party in the
1996 elections and the election leader for the capitol of Prague.
Czech Rails have New Director
The CD Board of Administrators have appointed a new General Director,
Josef Bazala, the former director of the CD trade transport division, to
Czech Rails, removing Edmund Sipa from the position.
Sip had already publically announced his resignation (Last issue,
Carolina). He said that he was prepared to stay in his position until
July 31st, when his manager's contract ended. However, Minister of
Transportation, Jan Strask, said that it would not be possible for Sip
to lead CD for another two months, ansd the board followed this advice.
The new General Director will begin working October 1st.
The Czech socialists will not go on a strike
The Cezh Socialist party will not go on strike since they got their
wages for May in the original time-period. Therefor the
strike-readyness was called of Wednesday.Ivan Havlicek of the Czech
socialist party confirmed this matter.
Another victim of the fire at the Olympic hotel
The younger of the two American women, who were injured in the fire
of the Prage hotel Olympic died Thursday in the hospital Na Homolce.The
older lady is still in a critical stage. The number of victims is now
seven.The young American died of Toxic gas.
The winner of the record prize is unknown
The Sunday-pull of the Lottery Sazky gave 32,401,074 Ck. The winner
is still unknown.This is the largest sum ever played for in this
lottery, said a representative of the lottery.
CULTURAL EVENTS
Prague International Film Festival Golden Golem 1995 Begins
On Friday, June 9th, the Prague International Film Festival began.
The festival, entitled, Golden Golem, will show 220 films during nine
days. 15 of those films are currently in international competition. The
Czech Republic will be represented by the historical drama, "The Order"
(Rad) and by the Slovak/Czech coproduced, "Hazard". Also among the 220
films are those which received Oscars or Oscar nominations, "Sophia's
Choice", "Nell", "The Shawshenk Remptation", and "The Madness Of King
George". Russian film director, Nikita Michalkov, appeared for the
festival's opening. His film, "Burnt By the Sun", this year's Oscar
award winner for best foreign film, opened the festival. Actress, Meryl
Streep, Arthur Hillary, Chairman of the International Jury for
English/Czech films, and director, Karel Reisz are also in Prague for
the festival. The performances are available to the public at cinemas
on Wenceslaw square and in the Palace Of Culture.
The Rock days of Prague will not take place
The biggest festival in the Czech history of rock, the Prague Rock
Days is not going to take place. It was planned to the 7th until 9th of
July, featuring artists such as Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart,
Joe Cocker and Eros Ramazotti.
The director of the event, Martin Sarvas, the project was distroyed
due to the co-organizator Teleaxis. They did not keep their end of the
deal.Prehand bought tickets can be returned at the Ticketpro offices.
The general director of the Czech Filharmony was removed
The cultural minister Pavel Tigrid decided to remove the director
of the Czech Filhamormony Ladislav Kantor from his function.The minister
announced this on Tuesday the 13th of June to the head of the
administrive advisory board of the Czech Filharmonic, Ivan Medek.
The minister asked Medek to call the board to a meeting. According to
the status of Czech Filharmony the general director can only be removed
by the minister of Culture at the proposal of the advisory board. The
reasons of the minister have not yet been revealed, but it probably has
to do with the fact that some important information about some shady
business in the Czech Filharmony has leaked out. (see Carolina 163).
ECONOMICS
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (June 16)
Checks Cash
country buy sell middle buy sell
Great Britain 1 GPB 41,728 42,202 41,992 40,57 43,41
France 1 FRF 5,280 5,347 5,307 5,11 5,51
Japan 100 JPY 15,878 16,038 15,958 15,19 16,73
Canada 1 CAD 30,780 31,090 30,935 29,64 32,24
Austria 1 ATS 18,906 19,096 19,001 18,11 19,89
Germany 1 DEM 2,635 2,661 2,648 2,59 2,71
Switzerland 1 CHF 18,527 18,713 18,620 18,16 19,08
USA 1 USD 22,387 22,611 22,499 22,00 23,00
Slovakia 1 XCU 26,071 26,333 26,202 25,50 26,90
-- -- 34,430 -- --
SPORTS
Czech Women's National Basketball Team Are Expected to be Successful
The Czech Women's National Basketball team defeated Yugoslavia on
Tuesday, 67:62, at the European championships in Brno. After wins over
France (79:74), Germany (72:69) and Lithuania (78:65), they have a great
chance to win their division. Czechs lost only to Russia in the first
match 72:75 and Italy on Wednesday.
Sparta Praha Wins Championship in Jablonec
Sparta Praha won the League Champions Cup in Jablonec. Siegl won
1:0. Slavia finished the league bad, finishing this year in Eden with
a 2:3 loss. Brno took third. Slovacka Slavia Uherske Hradiste and Kaucuk
Opava advanced from the second league.
Round 30 results: Viktoria Zizkov - Svit Zlin 5:1, Slavia Praha
- Viktoria Plzen 2:3, FK Jablonec - Sparta Praha 0:1, Sigma Olomouc
- Hradec Kralove 2:0, Petra Drnovice - Ceske Budejovice 3:1, Banik
Ostrava - Slovan Liberec 2:0, Union Cheb - Boby Brno 0:0, Svarc Benesov
- Bohemians Praha 3:4
Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 70 9. Viktoria Plzen 40
2. Slavia Praha 63 10. FK Jablonec 39
3. Boby Brno 54 11. Banik Ostrava 38
4. Slovan Liberec 51 12. Hradec Kralove 36
5. Viktoria Zizkov 49 13. Union Cheb 31
6. Petra Drnovice 48 14. Svit Zlin 30
7. Ceske Budejovice 46 15. Bohemians Praha 23
8. Sigma Olomouc 43 16. Svarc Benesov 12
The best scorer: Radek Drulak (Drnovice) - 15 goals.
The All-stars (according to the Sport daily): Stejskal - Lerch
(both Slavia), Chovanec (Sparta), Suchoparek (Slavia) - Bilek (Zizkov),
Budka, Frydek (both Sparta), Necas (Cheb), Nedved (Sparta) - Lokvenc
(Sparta), Berger (Slavia)
Slavia Praha goalkeeper and captain, Jan Stejskal, retired after
the last round. He had played 33 matches in the Czech Republic and
Czechoslovakia, including the world championships in Italy 1990.
Hradec Kralove Won Czech Football Cup
The Czech Football Asociation Cup final match between Viktoria
Zizkov and Hradec Kralove finished 0:0 after overtime, Hradec players
were less nervous during penalty shots, so they advance to the
Cupwinners Cup.
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Czech Republic volleyball players advanced to the September European
championships after Saturday's win over Belgium 3:1.
* Slavia Praha football player, Patrik Berger, was traded to
Borussia Dortmund (German Bundesliga) for 3.5 millions DM.
* Zdenek Nemec and Marek Rocejdl won the Camel Trophy in
South America. It is the first time the Czech Republic has taken part in
this car competition.
* Slavia Praha will not take part in any European Fooball Cups next
season.
WEATHER
Clouds and rain all week. Temperatures were between 15 and 20
degrees Celsius. The weather forecast for next week is predicted to be
similar.
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