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Carolina (English) No 170
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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 170, Thursday, August 24, 1995.
EVENTS FOR AUGUST 10-23, 1995
Charges of High Treason Delivered to Former Communist Officials
The Office for the Documentation and Investigation of the Crimes of
Communism (UDV), headed by Vaclav Benda, last week delivered charges of
high treason to almost all of the former Communist officials responsible
for the August 1968 Soviet invasion and subsequent occupation of
Czechoslovakia (see Carolina 169).
The charges had to be reformulated after Josef Kredba, head of the
State Attorney's Office in Prague, returned them to the UDV due to
procedural shortcomings.
Milos Jakes, former general secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist
Party, received the charges against him Aug. 15.
Klaus-Stoiber Talks Bring No Breakthrough on Czech-German Relations
Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus had an unannounced meeting with
his Bavarian counterpart, Edmund Stoiber, Aug. 15 in Domazlice, western
Bohemia. The first reports of the meeting, which was kept secret from
the Czech media, came from the German news agency DPA.
Following their talks, Klaus indicated there might be delays in the
adoption of a joint Czech-German declaration in which the two countries
would agree to put the past behind them and look ahead to the future.
Stoiber, too, referred to conflicting views during their meeting in
an interview that appeared Aug. 21 in the German daily Die Welt.
Havel Grants Amnesty to Wife of Former Dissident Ally
President Vaclav Havel granted an amnesty Aug. 18 to Marta
Chadimova, who is being tried for fraud and falsification of documents
in her claims on property nationalized by the Communists in the 1950s.
The press have pointed out that Havel knows Chadimova's husband,
Mikulas Chadima, as a fellow signatory of Charter 77, the Communist-era
human rights declaration.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Otakar Motejl sent a letter to Havel
Aug. 21, saying that he respected the president's right to grant amnesty
but that he did not understand or accept Havel's reasons for doing so in
this case. In explaining his decision, Havel said he had lost faith in
the court's ability to reach a just verdict.
Chadimova has declared her intention to continue the court case
despite the amnesty.
In 1994, Havel granted amnesty to more than 300 individuals,
including Jiri Wonka, who was prosecuted for threatening a judge, Petr
Cibulka, who was charged with slandering the head of state (see Carolina
99, 112), and world cycling champion Josef Simunek, who killed three
people in a car accident (see Carolina 105, 123).
Czech and Polish Premiers Agree: No Unsolvable Problems
In a meeting Aug. 17, the Czech and Polish prime ministers agreed
that there were no important issues in their bilateral relations that
could not be solved through the usual ministerial channels.
One of the topics on the agenda for Czech Premier Vaclav Klaus and
his Polish counterpart Jozef Oleksy was the Czechs' recent decision to
require all foreigners entering the country to have at least 7,000
crowns ($280 US - see Carolina 169). Klaus said the issue would be dealt
with so as "not to complicate Czech-Polish relations."
Dienstbier's Free Democrats and Liberals to Merge
Leaders of the Free Democrats (SD) and the Liberal National
Socialist Party (LSNS) met Aug. 17 to discuss the possibility of merging
prior to the next parliamentary elections. Neither party currently holds
any seats in Czech Parliament.
Free Democrat chief Jiri Dienstbier, formerly Czechoslovakia's
foreign minister, and LSNS leader Vavrinec Bodenlos said the chances
were good that they would go into the elections as one.
In a TV appearance following the talks, Dienstbier said the purpose
of the merger was to offer voters a centrist alternative to the
polarization of the political spectrum.
Current opinion polls show the Free Democrats with 2 to 2.5 percent
voter support, while just 0.5 percent for LSNS.
Bily's Death Couldn't Be Helped, Says Health Ministry Commission
An expert commission of the Ministry of Health ruled Aug. 10 that
while doctors at the Havirov hospital made some serious mistakes in
their evaluation of the condition of Josef Bily, they were not to blame
for his death.
Bily, 68, died July 16 several hours after hospital officials
refused to admit him, claiming his life was not in danger and that they
did not have an agreement with his insurance company.
The commission said there was no reason for Health Minister Ludek
Rubas to pass the case on for a criminal investigation.
Rubas himself said Bily's death could not have been prevented.
Nevertheless, he called on the Medical Association and the
administration of the Havirov hospital to take action against the
doctors responsible for the mistaken diagnosis.
Kozeny Investigation Called to a Close
After two and a half years, Czech officials have decided to put an
end to their investigation into Viktor Kozeny, head of the Harvard
Investment Funds, who made the front pages in 1991 by accepting
classified information from a former Czech intelligence agent.
According to the Aug. 16 edition of Mlada Fronta Dnes, the
investigator's office came to the conclusion that Kozeny's actions could
not be considered punishable by law. The State Attorney's Office is
reported to share this view as well.
Kozeny, who now lives in the Bahamas, was originally accused of
endangering state secrets by paying Vaclav Wallis for classified
information from the Federal Security and Information Service (FBIS). At
the time Wallis was no longer an FBIS employee.
While Kozeny claimed that he was being blackmailed by Wallis, the
former agent maintains that he was merely delivering the information he
had been asked to secure.
Wallis went to prison for stealing state secrets, but was released
after the High Court ruled that his case should be reexamined (see
Carolina 85, 108, 114).
Opocensky Case Closed Once and for All
The Ministry of Justice has decided not to appeal the verdict of
the High Court, which on June 30 acquitted sculptor Pavel Opocensky of
the murder of a 17-year-old skinhead (see Carolina 167).
In Opocensky's first trial a lower court did not allow his argument
that he knifed Ales Martinu in self-defense and sentenced him to three
years in prison.
Chief State Attorney Libor Grygarek had said he would contend the
High Court's ruling, but after reexamining the court's decision
announced he would not pursue the case.
(Also last week, vandals spraypainted Opocensky's memorial
sculpture to Josef and Karel Capek on Peace Square in Prague with
a swastika, a Star of David, and the words "March 25," the day Martinu
was stabbed.)
Argument Comes to Blows at Social Democrat Event
After a meeting of Social Democrat (CSSD) representatives with the
citizens of Podsedice, northern Bohemia, Aug. 19, CSSD deputy Jozef
Wagner hit vice chair Vaclav Grulich in the face.
Other CSSD members have described the incident as the outcome of
a personal conflict between the two men regarding the management of the
party's campaign for the upcoming elections.
On Aug. 22 the CSSD leadership recommended that Wagner consider
resigning from the party.
BUSINESS/ECONOMICS
Gov't Dishes Out 13 Billion Crowns from Budget Surplus
The Czech Cabinet approved the allocation of 13 billion crowns from
a budget surplus at its Aug. 16 session.
4.1 billion crowns will go towards cost-of-living adjustments for
social security and pensions; 2.9 billion is earmarked for increased
heating subsidies; 1.5 billion goes to the Ministry of Transport for
building new highways, road repairs and railway car restorations.
Also the Cabinet approved 735 million crowns to subsidize salaries
in the school system and a short-term loan of 600 million to ease the
critical situation in Czech hospitals.
In other business, the Cabinet also decided to pay for 3 percent of
the interest on loans taken out by Czechs building homes. In addition,
building loans will be provided for up to 70 percent of the cost, with
a limit of 800,000 crowns for apartments and 1.5 million for homes.
CEFTA Meetings, Prelude to Brno Summit, Bring Few Results
In a run-up to the summit of prime ministers in Brno in September,
officials from the states of the Central European Free Trade Agreement
(CEFTA) discussed measures for limiting duties and promoting trade last
week, as agriculture ministers met Aug. 16 in Bratislava and trade
ministers negotiated Aug. 17 and 18 in Warsaw.
The talks brought limited results, as they agreed to speed up the
removal of tariff barriers in noncontroversial areas but failed to reach
a consensus on the more sensitive issue of agricultural products.
In addition to the four current CEFTA members - the Czech Republic,
Poland, Hungary and Slovakia - Slovenia will join the organization in
January 1996, and Lithuania has also expressed an interest.
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (Aug. 23, 1995)
Checks Cash
country buy sell middle buy sell middle
Australia 1 AUD 19.968 20.168 20.068 19.00 21.14 20.07
Belgium 100 BEF 88.625 89.515 89.070 86.37 91.77 89.07
Great Brit. 1 GBP 41.480 41.896 41.688 40.27 43.11 41.69
Denmark 1 DKK 4.702 4.750 4.726 4.53 4.93 4.73
Finland 1 FIM 6.178 6.240 6.209 6.01 6.41 6.21
France 1 FRF 5.322 5.376 5.349 5.15 5.55 5.35
Ireland 1 IEP 42.424 42.850 42.637 40.64 44.64 42.64
Italy 1000 ITL 16.665 16.833 16.749 15.98 17.52 16.75
Japan 100 JPY 27.933 28.213 28.073 26.77 29.37 28.07
Canada 1 CAD 19.927 20.127 20.027 19.14 20.92 20.03
Luxemburg 100 LUF 88.625 89.515 89.070 86.07 92.07 89.07
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.269 16.433 16.351 15.87 16.83 16.35
Norway 1 NOK 4.171 4.213 4.192 4.04 4.34 4.19
New Zealand 1 NZD 17.525 17.701 17.613 16.86 18.36 17.61
Portugal 100 PTE 17.641 17.819 17.730 16.55 18.91 17.73
Austria 1 ATS 2.590 2.616 2.603 2.54 2.66 2.60
Greece 100 GRD 11.398 11.512 11.455 10.75 12.17 11.46
Germany 1 DEM 18.214 18.398 18.306 17.85 18.77 18.31
Spain 100 ESP 21.404 21.620 21.512 20.51 22.51 21.51
Sweden 1 SEK 3.681 3.719 3.700 3.54 3.86 3.70
Switzerland 1 CHF 21.977 22.197 22.087 21.59 22.59 22.09
CULTURE
Grants for Czech Films
The Czech Cinema Fund allocated 38.5 million crowns - 33.5 million
for feature films - in its fourth round of grants since it was founded
in 1993.
Slovak director Juraj Jakubisko received the largest grant, 7
million crowns, for his latest film (see story below), followed by Vera
Chytilova, who got 5 million crowns for a film about Bozena Nemcova,
author of the first Czech novel "Babicka" ("Granny").
Among the other grant recipients was Jan Sverak, who was awarded
3 million crowns for his latest project "Kolja," based on a screenplay
by his father Zdenek Sverak.
Jakubisko Shoots Czech Film in Slovakia
Slovak film director Juraj Jakubisko recently began shooting his
13th movie, "Vague Reports of the End of the World," near the Slovak
village of Terchova, according to the Slovak correspondent of Mlada
Fronta Dnes.
Covering the period 1945 to 1970, the story takes place in
a village constructed exclusively for the purpose of the film.
Jakubisko's wife, Deana Horvathova, is producing the film, but declined
to reveal the budget, reportedly the largest ever in Czech film history,
with 60 Czech and Slovak actors. The Czech Ministry of Culture alone
contributed 7 million crowns to the film.
Lustig to Head Czech Playboy
Writer Arnost Lustig has been named editorial board chairman and
editor in chief of the Czech version of Playboy, effective Sept. 1.
Lustig, 69, began writing in 1945, after surviving the
concentration camps of Theresienstadt, Auschwitz and Buchenwald. His
first novel, "A Prayer for Katherine Horowitz," was translated into
a number of foreign languages.
After August 1968, Lustig left Czechoslovakia, and since then he
has worked in Israel, Yugoslavia and the U.S. At present he divides his
time between Prague and Washington, D.C., where he is a professor of
literature and film at American University.
R.E.M. Show Takes Place on Third Try
After two cancellations (see Carolina 167, 168), the American rock
band R.E.M. finally took the stage at a sold-out Sportovni Hala in
Prague Aug. 11. The show was the last of the band's world tour and the
only one rescheduled after bass player Mike Mills' hospitalization.
Tigrid Publicly Announces Backing for Albrecht
Minister of Culture Pavel Tigrid declared Aug. 18 that he has full
confidence in Gerd Albrecht, the German conductor of the Czech
Philharmonic Orchestra. He made his statement after meeting in the Hotel
Intercontinental with Albrecht to discuss the Czech Philharmonic's next
season, when it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
See Carolina 104, 105, 163, and 166 for background on the crisis,
which climaxed last June when the Philharmonic's entire board of
directors resigned and the general director, Ladislav Kantor, was
removed from his post.
Culture Obituaries
* Karel Berman, 76, Czech singer and long-time member of the National
Opera Theater, passed away Aug. 11.
* Jaroslav Papousek, 66, film director and artist, died suddenly in
Prague Aug. 17. In addition to directing his own films, Papousek worked
as a scriptwriter for Milos Forman.
* Jiri Lir, 72, actor, cabaret artist and Naive painter, died after
a long illness Aug. 20. One obituary described him as "a big actor of
small roles."
* Vladimir Skutina, 64, TV producer, journalist, writer, died after
a serious illness Aug. 19. From 1978 to 1989 he lived in Switzerland.
SPORTS
Czechs and Norwegians Equal Foes in European Soccer
The Czech national soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with Norway
Aug. 16 in Oslo in a qualification match for the European championship.
The Norwegians scored first with a goal by defender Berg in the
29th minute, and the Czechs evened it up on a header by stopper
Suchoparek in the 85th minute.
To advance the Czechs, now in second place behind Norway, must win
all of their remaining matches - Belarus, Norway and Luxembourg.
"Iron Man" Zelezny Brings Home the Gold Yet Again
Jan Zelezny successfully defended his world title in the javelin
last week in Goteborg, Sweden. The next best finish by a Czech was
a fifth-place by Dvorak in the decathlon.
Czechs Advance in both UEFA and Cup Winners' Cup
Both Sparta and Slavia moved into the first round of the UEFA Cup
last week with 1-1 ties - Sparta after a 3-1 victory at home against
Galatasaray, and Slavia after a 1-0 win over Sturm of Austria away from
home.
Also, in the Cup Winners' Cup, it looks almost sure that Hradec
Kralove will advance to the first round after a 5-0 win over Vaduz away
from home.
Liberec Still Atop Soccer League After Four Games
Liberec maintained its lead after the break for the Czech national
team's match against Norway, remaining undefeated. But the fourth round
remains incomplete, as both Sparta and Slavia were busy in UEFA cup
action (see above).
Fourth Round Results: Slovan Liberec - Kaucuk Opava 1:0, Uherske
Hradiste - Viktoria Plzen 2:2, Banik Ostrava - FK Jablonec 1:1, Hradec
Kralove - Union Cheb 0:1, Boby Brno - Ceske Budejovice 5:2, Sigma
Olomouc - Svit Zlin 3:0.
Make-up second-round match: Petra Drnovice - Viktoria Zizkov 2:2.
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Winners at the motorcycle Grand Prix in Brno: Sakata of Japan (125
cc), Biaggi of Italy (250cc), Cadalora of Italy (500cc),
Biland-Waltisperg of Switzerland (sidecar). As for the Czechs, Hules
placed 20th in the 125cc event and Stasa Jr 25th in the 250cc.
* Czech canoers brought home three silver medals from the World
Championships in Duisburgh: Martin Doktor at 500 and 1000 meters, and
Prochazka, Dittrich, Fibigr and Krivanek in the 200 meter foursome.
* Czech pole vaulter Daniela Bartova continued her world-record-setting
summer, jumping 4.20 meters in Cologne Aug. 18 and 4.21 meters in Linz
four days later.
* At the Crystal Cup in Trencin, the Kosice hockey team came out on top,
followed by Zlin, Trencin and Vsetin (last year's Czech champion).
* Czech ice hockey clubs rejected a Slovak proposal for a Czecho-Slovak
league.
WEATHER
Meteorologists keep predicting showers and storms every day, but it
remains hot and humid, with temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.
This week's Carolina has been brought to you by Milan Smid (news and
translation), Mirek Langer (sports) and Alex Zucker (translation and
editing).
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