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Carolina (English) No 138
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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
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C A R O L I N A No 138, Friday, November 25, 1994.
EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 16 - 23)
Local Elections Held in Czech Republic
Independent candidates won nearly half the seats up for grabs in
local elections November 18 and 19 across the Czech Republic.
Far outpacing party candidates, independents won 49.7 percent of the
seats. The party with the most seats won is the Christian Democratic
Union - Czech People's Party (KDU-CSL) with 12 percent, followed by the
Civic Democratic Party (ODS) with 11 percent, the Communist Party of
Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) with 9,2 percent and the Czech Social
Democratic Party (CSSD) with 2.4 percent.
ODS was most succesful in big cities, while independents did well in
small towns and villages.
ODS won the Prague elections, capturing 23 of 55 seats on the city
council. The second most succesful party in the capital is KSCM, with
six seats. The Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) and Social Democrats both
won five seats. KDU-CSL, the political party with the highest number of
seats nationwide, has only one seat in Prague. In Brno, ODS has 14 of
55 seats, ODA and KSCM both have seven, and KDU-CSL and CSSD both have
five.
Independent candidates lost in Prague and Brno, as well as in other
big cities. Independents did best in areas where political parties
didn't manage to fill out lists of candidates.
KDU-CSL did best in in the southern part of Moravia, while the
communists scored their best successes in Northern Bohemia and Northern
Moravia, areas with high unemployment and crime.
Nearly 61 percent of eligible voters participated in the local
elections, down from nearly 75 percent four years ago, but still higher
than the European average. Karolina Polakova a Tereza Hadravova
Two Parties Claim Victory in Local Elections
Looking at different numbers, both the Christian and Democratic
Party and the Civic Democratic Party are claiming victory in last
weekend's local elections.
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, chairman of the Civic Democratic Party
(ODS), said the "only reasonable assessment" is to count the number of
votes cast for each party. "From this aspect, the elections are very
successful for us," Klaus said at an ODS press conference November 20.
But Josef Lux, chief of the Christian and Democratic Union
- Czechoslovak People's Party, said the winner is determined by who wins
the most seats. "We have won the election, because we have the most
seats and elections are played on seats," Lux said.
President Vaclav Havel was one of many political observers who noted
that many voters preferred independent candidates. "Where people know
each other, they probably gave their votes to individuals they feel will
be responsible directly to them rather than to a party."
Czech Social Democratic Party Chairman Milos Zeman said his party
was "quite successful," but party Vice-chairman Vaclav Grulich said he
was disappointed with the results.
Miroslav Grebenicek, chairman of Communist Party of Bohemia and
Moravia (KSCM) said the results showed the communists were the strongest
and most stable opposition party. Ludek S. Stanek/Jirka Schneider
Bookies Make Odds on Prague Mayor
A new board of representatives of Prague will meet December 1 to
elect a new mayor of Prague as well as the entire new city council.
It is likely that current mayor Jan Koukal will be re-elected. The
Civic Democratic Party, which Koukal represents, won 23 of the 51 seats
on the board, the best showing.
According to Fortuna booking office representative Jan Rysavy, 150
people have bet on Koukal's re-election, with odds of 6-5.
Odds on other candidates are: Michal Prokop, Civic Democratic
Alliance, 5-1; Jiri Dientsbier, Free Democrats, 8-1.
One customer bet 1,200 crowns on longshot Vaclav Benda of the
Christian and Democratic Movement, at 200-1.
Jana Maruskova/Vera Vitkova
Fifth Anniversary of Revolution Marked
Beginning early in the morning of November 17, Prague residents came
to the statue of St. Wenceslas and to the memorial on Narodni Street to
commemorate the events that launched the Velvet Revolution five years
ago.
On November 17, 1989, communist security forces violently dispersed
a student demonstration on Narodni Street, an attack that started the
revolution. The memory of those days was honored mainly by students and
old people, who laid flowers, lighted candles, and knelt down.
In the morning, President Vaclav Havel and Portuguese President
Mario Soares laid flowers at the tablet on Narodni Street marking the
events.
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus also laid a bouquet here, in his Civic
Democratic Party colors - blue and white. In the afternoon
representatives of other parties also paid their respects.
Prague Mayor Jan Koukal, Simon Panek, a member of the November
student strike committee, and Jiri Dienstbier, the first post-communist
foreign minister, also visited the memorial.
Stepanka Kucerova/Jirka Schneider
Havel And Klaus Speak on Anniversary of November 17
Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that made
him president, Vaclav Havel said there is no reason to be happy with the
spiritual and moral situation in the Czech Republic.
Speaking in Prague Castle's Vladislav Hall to a thousand students
from all over the republic, Havel said he could understand the
disappointment of those who thought the revolution would lead to an era
of charity and tolerance and spirituality.
The spiritual and moral state of society isn't automatically
improved by the elimination of an authoritarian regime, Havel said.
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus agreed with Havel's criticism of
excessive materialism, short-sightedness and self-absorbedness, but
doubted that Czech society needs to be cured by anyone. Klaus was
speaking to an international conference on the economic revival of
Central Europe, which met November 16 to 18 in Prague.
At an informal meeting with students of Charles University's
Philosophical Faculty, Klaus said nothing greatly disappointed him
concerning the development of the last five years.
"Only the one who has not understood social processes can be
disappointed -- he who thought we were angels and did not realize that
the actors of transformation are ten and a half million ordinary
citizens," Klaus said. Martina Krizkova/Jirka Schneider
Former Czech Attorney General Appears in Court
The trial of former attorney general Jiri Setina, began Tuesday. He
charges with an attack on a public authority, jeopardizing the exchange
of foreign currency and an attempt to endanger the state secret.
Alledgedly, Setina insulted a police patrol during a traffic stop,
threatening them to fire them when asked to breathe for an intoxicated
driving test. The prosecution regarding the alleged attack was postponed
until December. Eftychia Damianidou/Vera Vitkova
Dinner with Klaus -- Does the 100,000 Include the Tip?
The headquarter of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) recently sent
out dinner invitation cards to entrepreneurs and bank representatives.
As the same time, they were urged to contribute 100,000 crowns to the
party budget. The main course of the expensive meal -- dining partner
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus.
Entrepreneurs who pay more than 250,000 CK will become the top
sponsors of the November 30 dinner. According to the vice-chairman of
ODS, Josef Zieleniec, similar activities are common methods of party
finance in other countries.
But the plans are coming under fire by other parties. Daniel Kroupa,
vice-chairman of the Civic Democratic Alliance, called the technique
desperate. And Josef Lux, chairman of the Christian and Democratic
Union-Czech People's Party, said political parties should get enough
money from the state to prevent this kind of activity.
Jana Maruskova/Vera Vitkova
Pope John Paul to Visit Czech Republic in May
Pope John Paul II, the most traveled pope in history, plans to visit
the Czech Republic next May 20 and 21, Mlada Fronta Dnes reports.
In Olomouc, the pope will participate in the liturgy of Moravian
Saint Jan Sarkander, tortured to death in 1620. The pope also plans to
visit Prague.
The pope, a native of neighboring Poland, will visit the Czech lands
for the second time. In April, 1990, he visited the St. Vitus
Cathedral and said mass on the Letensky Plain and in Velehrad, in
Moravia. Andrea Rihova/Eftychia Damianidou
650th Anniversary of Corner Stone of St. Vitus Cathedral
Monday marked the 650th anniversary of the laying of the corner
stone of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle by King Charles IV
(1316-1378).
The cathedral, a jewel of the Gothic style, gained its present-day
look in 1929. The top events of the anniversary's celebrations were
a Saturday mass conducted by Czech Archbishop Miloslav Vlk and a Monday
concert. Commemorative stamps were issued as well.
Shah Muhammad,Tomas Kopecny/Vera Vitkova
FROM SLOVAKIA
Narrow Victory For Meciar's Party in Local Elections
Slovaks went to the polls November 18 and 19 and gave Prime Minister
Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) a narrow
victory.
According to official results, HZDS got 22.78 percent of the seats
nationwide. The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) won 19.69 percent,
and The Party of the Democratic Left (SDL) 15.65 percent, independent
candidates 7.58 percent and Coexistence 6.3 percent.
The results, while putting HZDS in first place, represent a drop
from their showing in parliamentary elections earlier in the fall.
Results of mayoral races will give 28.48 percent independent mayors,
17.87 percent from SDL, and only 15.95 percent from HZDS.
About 54 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in this, the third
vote this fall in Slovakia. Lukas Zentel a Michal Vynohradnyk
CULTURE
New Film, The Order, Opens
The Order (Rad), the first movie of Czech director Petr Hvizd,
opened November November 17. The film explores the conflict between
military and church power in the 18th Century, and tells the adventures
of a young deserter who finds asylum in a cloister. The movie takes
place during the reign of Josef II, who issued decrees limiting the
power of the Catholic Church.
Marek Vasut plays the main character, a cruel commander, Jana
Preissova creates the role of Mother Superior, and Jan Triska plays
a priest.
Director Hvizd is the writer of the story. A graduate of the Film
Academy of Arts, he has directed the amateur films Stinohra
(Shadow-Play) and Utociste (Asylum). Jindrich Jirasek
ECONOMY
Crown Conversion Becomes Easier for Czechs
One day before municipal elections began, Prime Minister Vaclav
Klaus announced that Czech citizens can convert more crowns to foreign
currency beginning next year. The legal limit on currency conversion
will increase from 12,000 to 100,000.
Klaus made the change after meeting with Economics Minister Ivan
Kocarnik and Czech National Bank Governor Josef Tosovsky.
Klaus said the change makes the crown practically convertible for
most Czechs, but Milos Zeman, chairman of the Czech Social Democratic
Party, said the move was a pre-election populist ploy.
According to Mlada Fronta Dnes
Petr Hosek / Eftychia Damianidou
VW Gets Major Share of Skoda
The German firm Volkswagen, one of the four biggest car producers in
the world, gained a majority share in Czech car company Skoda Mlada
Boleslav November 18.
Under a clause in a 1991 contract, Volkswagen will invest 350
million German marks for development of Skoda, and pay an additional 40
million marks to gain the 51 percent share of the company.
Volkswagen had owned 49 percent of the Czech firm. Under the
contract, Volkwagen will pay the same amount next year as it did this
year to move to 70 percent ownership
While the Czech government will lose majority, it will still have
the right to veto in some areas, and will have the right to consult on
important corporate moves.
The clause was signed after more than a year of disputes, mainly
over the future capacity of Skoda. Jakub Knezu
Hospital Na Homolce Privatization Falls Through
The Prague hospital Na Homolce will not be privatized soon, after
a British company, Euro Hospital Group, which was to buy the hospital,
walked away from the deal.
Euro Hospital Group decided to abandon its contract, signed in
August between EHG and hospital director Oldrich Subrt. The main reason
for the breakdown, according to hosptial officials, was a public
campaign against the sale.
Minister of Health Ludek Rubas said he was regretted Euro Hospital
Group's action, but considered it logical.
"All the people, who directed the campaign against the deal, are
responsible in the part that another development of Na Homolce will be
paid solely from taxes," Rubas said. "The money could have been used to
repair old hospitals in the whole Czech Republic. Now, the finances are
lost." Martina Vojtechovska
SPORT
Martina Navratilova Parts with Tennis World
The most successful tennis player ever, Martina Navratilova, has
parted with world tennis. Her last match was at the Masters Grand Prix
in New York's Madison Square Garden, where she lost in the first round
to Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina.
The 38-year-old player, born in Podkrkonosi and an American citizen
since 1981, won 167 titles in her career, including nine singles titles
at Wimbledon and nine in the Masters Grand Prix.
Her first title was won in Orlando, Florida in 1974. In The first
title she got in Orlando in 1974. In 1984, she won the Grand Slam - the
Australia Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U. S. Open.
Navratilova is now president of the Women's Tennis Association,
a post she held in 1979, 1980 and 1983.
"She devoted herself to tennis with all her heart and this sport is
grateful to her for many things," said Steffi Graf.
Tomas Kopecny a Mirek Langer/Mirek Langer
Slavia Prague Goes to Winter Break on Top
The 14th round of the football league offered a number of
interesting matches. First-place Slavia Prague welcomed Slovan Liberec,
at that time third, and thanks its 5:0 win it will spend the winter
break in first.
Viktoria Zizkov will winter in second, after a 0:0 draw with Boby
Brno.
Sparta Prague, the last years champion, stopped its series of
defeats at opponents' stadiums - beating Banik Ostrava.
Union Cheb defeated Viktoria Plzen 1:0. Olomouc managed to defeat
Zlin 2:1 by a goal in extended time and Hradec Kralove got points at the
opponents' stadium for the first time - it won in Benesov 1:0.
Ruda Cernik/Mirek Langer
Hockey Extraleague Finishes First Half
19th round: Vitkovice - Plzen 6:4, Vsetin - Sparta Prague 3:3,
Olomouc - Litvinov 6:3, Kladno - Ceske Budejovice 5:3, Slavia Prague
- Zlin 4:5, Pardubice - Jihlava 1:3.
20th round: Zlin - Vsetin 3:3, Ceske Budejovice - Olomouc 3:3,
Litvinov - Pardubice 7:5, Jihlava - Slavia Prague 4:5, Sparta Prague
- Vitkovice 5:1, Plzen - Kladno 5:3.
21st round: Kladno - Sparta Prague 6:2, Plzen - Ceske Budejovice
4:2, Vitkovice - Zlin 3:8, Vsetin - Jihlava 4:2, Slavia Prague
- Litvinov 2:2, Pardubice - Olomouc 3:5. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
Dukla Prague in Champions League of Handball Players
Dukla Prague managed to continue its success in the European
Champions Cup handball, advancing to the final. After a 27:16 loss to
Greek team Filippos Verias it beat Filippos 30:22 to advance. The best
players were Kotrc, Suma and Hazl. Mirek Langer
WEATHER
The weather was almost bright with foggy mornings. Fog and
occasional rains are expected. High temperatures are between 2 and 6
degrees Celsius, dropping to minus 2 at night.
Eftychia Damianidou/Mirek Langer
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