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Carolina (English) No 139
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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 139, Friday, December 2, 1994.
EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 23-30)
Kohl Comments Rekindle EU Jitters
A changed attitude toward Czech membership in the European Union on
the part of German Chancellor Helmut Kohl would be "very unpleasant,"
said Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus.
He was reacting to Kohl's statement November 23 that Poland was the
leading candidate to enter the union.
But in his reaction, Klaus added that he does not yet know the exact
content and context of Kohl's remarks.
"If I may judge, this was said in the part of (Kohl's) speech where
the issue of European security was discussed," Klaus said. Klaus said he
believed Kohl was emphasizing the size and strategic importance of
Poland.
Kohl's omission of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in his
speech was strongly criticized by the German Social Democrat opposition
leader Rudolf Scharping. The three countries are applying for entry to
the European Union at the same time as Poland. Vera Vitkova
Archbishop Vlk Becomes a Cardinal
Czech Archbishop Miroslav Vlk was among 30 new cardinals installed
by Pope John Paul II in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican Saturday.
Vlk became the twentieth cardinal in Czech history.
The main symbol of cardinal power -- the biretta -- was given to Vlk
and to a second appointee. This priviledge for the Czech cardinal
archbishop, granted by the Pope, fueled further speculations about
Vlk's possible appointment as a curial cardinal directly involvement in
Vatican affairs.
The cardinals were assigned churches, Vlk receiving the Basilica of
the Saint Cross of Jerusalem, one of the most important tabernacles of
Rome.
The cardinal ring -- another important symbol of a cardinal -- was
given to the newly appointed cardinals during a ceremonial mass in Saint
Peter's Basilica. The same day, the Pope received the Czech goverment
delegation, led by the Christian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovakia
People's Party Chairman Josef Lux. The delegation participated in the
appointment ceremonies cardinal appointment.
After Saturday's appointment, the overall number of cardinals is
167, of which 120 under the age of 80 are eligible to vote for popes.
Tereza Hadravova
Driver's Death In Traffic Stop Is Fourth Such Case
A 42-year-old man died November 27 of internal injuries following
a scuffle with police who say he failed to stop for a routine traffic
control.
Josef Soltys, a farmer from Tesnov, became the fifth man to die at
the hands of Czech police in the last half year. Four of those deaths
invovled traffic patrols.
According to police reports, Josef Soltys, a farmer from Tesnov,
Rokycany area, did not react to a "STOP" sign and tried to escape. He
allegedly turned onto a small track and locked himself in his car.
Half an hour later, police said, he got out of the car and tried to
beat the policemen. Soltys drew the uniform of one of the officers over
his head, but the other officer kicked Soltys in the back, according to
police.
Finding no visible injury to Soltys, the officers transported him to
a police station for a blood alcohol test. The doctor who administered
the test ordered Soltys taken to a hospital, where he later lost
conciousness and died.
An autopsy showed that he died of bleeding from the spleen and other
organs caused by the officer's kick to the back.
Soltys' neighbours said the dead man was not agressive when drunk.
A forester from Tesnov said Soltys sometimes drove drunk but always
stopped along small roads, where he was occasionally found sleeping.
Jiri Chvojka
42 have died of AIDS in Czech Republic
Since 1985, 42 people have died of AIDS-related illnesses, and 202
people -- 126 in Prague alone -- have been diagnosed as HIV-positive.
The statistics were released December 1 -- International AIDS Day --
by the Foundation for Life.
Foundation For Life, a non-governmental organization, was set up in
January 1992. In cooperation with the Medicine Faculty of Charles
University, the foundation organizes conferences on AIDS for elementary
and high school teachers. The foundation has created three public
service announcements for television and established an AIDS hotline.
Jana Maruskova
Northern Moravian Jesenik Gains Region Status
From 49 applications for the creation of new regions, the goverment
accepted only one November 23. Jesenik will be divided from the Sumperk
Region. Regions in the Czech Republic are roughly equivalent to counties
in the United States and England. Eftychia Damianidou
Man Accused of Murder, Torture, Fraud Associated with Political Elite
A 41-year-old Turkish businessman who published books by and
associated with the Czech Republic's political leaders has been accused
of two murders, torture and blackmail.
Dr. Yekta Uzunuglu, director of the firm Meridian, was arrested in
September, but police kept the arrest secret, TV Nova reported Monday.
Uzunoglu allegdly arranged the murders of two Czech businessman and
tortured a Turk. After an interrogation November 29, authorities added
accusations of fraud.
Uzunoglu, a Turkish businessman of Kurdish origin who advocates
greater freedom for the Kurds in Turkey, finished his medical studies
15 years ago in Czechoslovakia.
Recently, he edited a book, "Economic Perspective of the Czech
Republic," which included articles by Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus,
Finance Minister Ivan Kocarnik, Agriculture Minister, and Czech National
Bank Governor Richard Salzmann. Uzunoglu also published a book by
Economics Minister Karel Dyba.
Uzunoglu also published a book he wrote, "A Look at the Czech
Economy with a Foreign Businessman's Eyes."
Uzunoglu regularly met with top-ranking political representatives.
He has been among the most influential foreign businessman in the Czech
Republic. He also has enterprises in Germany and France, Pakistan and
Columbia. Stepanka Kucerova
Mercedes Dealers Helbig Brothers Dodge Police
In a development sure to please anyone who has ever dealt with
stamp-happy Czech bureaucrats, the Helbig bothers, official dealers of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles in the Czech Republic, avoided arrest November
23 because of a missing stamp.
The brothers were to have been arrested on the request of the
German sate atorney from Weiden. But when two policemen tried to
serve papers on the Helbigs in their Prague home, the Helbigs' attorney
pointed out that the police document was missing a necessary stamp.
Police left to get the necessary stamp, but when they returned the
Helbigs were nowhere to be found.
Police are now searching for the dealers. They are wanted in
connection with alleged tax and insurance fraud in Germany.
The Helbig company surfaced earlier this fall as the one that had
provided a free car for the use of Civic Democratic Party Vice-chairman
Petr Cermak. (See Carolina Issues 133 and 134.) Martina Krizkova
Svarc Released from Custody
Miroslav Svarc, an entrepreneur from Benesov and owner of
first-league football team, Svarc Benesov, has been release from jail
after nearly two months.
Since On October 30, Svarc has been under investigation for
embezzlement and an attempt to harm a creditor. Allegedly, he deducted
insurance and social security money from his employee's wages, but did
not submit the money to the state. He allegedly used it for his own
purposes, depriving the state of 8.7 million crowns.
Although Svarc was released, the investigation continues.
Jiri Chvojka
Republic's Christmas Tree Lighted
The Christmas atmosphere appeared in Prague's Old Town Sqaure
Sunday, with hundreds of people turning out for the lighting of the
National Christmas Tree by Prague Mayor Jan Koukal.
Traditional stalls with handicrafts filled the square. The
Association for Renewal and Development of Handicraft Skills, will
present Christmas and Advent customs under the tree until Christmas Eve.
On December 24, the Czech Christmas Mass by Jakub Jan Ryba,
a composer of the early 19th Century) will be performed under the open
sky. Andrea Rihova
CORRECTION
Due to a translating error, a mistake appeared in last week's
Carolina article concerning the Constitutional Court's ruling on
eligibility for property restitution. The decision applies only to those
people who were permanent residents of the Czech Republic.
Carolina regrets the error.
FROM SLOVAKIA
European Union Concerned About Slovak Developments
The Ambassadors of France and Germany handed on demarche from the
European Union to Slovak President Michal Kovac November 23, calling for
economic reform and adherence to democratic norms.
The Slovak daily SME reports that the demarche criticized the slow
process of transformation, and expresses expectations that Slovakia will
follow democratic rules. The European Union views with alarm some
political developments since recent elections.
Two parties of the parliamentary coalition, the Movement for
a Democratic Slovakia and the Slovak National Party, rejected the
demarche as biased, unsubstantiated and interfering with the internal
affairs of sovereign state. Opposition parties, however, have marked it
as very significant.
Lukas Zentel,Michal Vynohradnyk
Did HZDS Find a New Partner?
The Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) has expressed its
willingness to cooperate with members of the Democratic Union (DU), who
weren't previously members of HZDS.
It is a radical turning point in HZDS strategy on forming
a goverment, because DU was expelled from the first negotations. If
there was this cooperation, it would mark a real chance to form
a goverment. Prime Minister Jozef Moravcik is chairman of DU, and Milan
Knazko is a member. Both are former close associates of Meciar who broke
with him. Michal Vynohradnyk,Lukas Zentel
ECONOMY
Phone Company Will Reach Out and Touch Someone -- In the Wallet
The cost of phone service in the Czech Republic is going up. Phone
charges are going to increase from 1.60 to 1.80 crowns for each unit in
January. Monthly charges for a separate line will increase from 52.50 to
85 crowns.
SPT Telecom, which is the monopoly operator of the telephone network
in the Czech Republic, initially requested an increase to 2.40 crowns
per impulse, but the Finance Ministry rejected going so high.
The changes will most affect those now on the digital network, whose
calls are charged according to length. Between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., an
unit, costing 1.80 crowns, will last three minutes, from 4 p.m. until
midnight the same-priced unit will last six minutes, and between
midnight and 7 a.m. it will last twelve minutes. So a half hour call in
the afternoon on the digital network will cost 18 crowns instead of
current eight.
The duration of charged units will stay the same for long distance
calls, and international phone rates will be reduced about 5 percent.
Petr Hosek
Use of Main Highways Will Require Toll Stamp
From the beginning of next year, there will be a toll for using the
main highway network in the Czech Republic.
Tolls will not be collected on main highway entrances or exits as
they are for instance in France, but with the aid of stamps. This system
will allow use of the main highway network all year for one sum.
Stamps printed in Swiss Aarau will be divided in three categories
according to weight of the vehicle. Car owners will pay 400 crowns for
a one-year stamp, owners of vehicles up to 12 tons will pay 1,000 crowns
and those who operate trucks above 12 tons will pay 2,000.
Owners who don't have the stamp displayed in their window will face
fines up to 5,000 crowns.
Stamps will be on sale in post offices and at all border crossings.
Foreigners wishing to use the main highway network will also be obliged
to use the stamp.
Money raised from the sale of stamps will be used for development of
the motorway network in CR. In 2005, the length of the main highway
network should be nearly three times longer than today.
Petr Hosek
Second Wave Sells Nearly 150 Billion
The second wave of coupon privatisation sold 149 billion crowns
worth of property, 99.33 percent of the shares
offerred in the second wave. However, only 268 of 861 stock companies
were completely sold out. Shah Muhammad
Volkswagen Approves Contract with Skoda
Volkswagen approved November 25th a clause to its 1991 contract with
Skoda, confirming that it will invest in the Mlada Boleslav auto
factory.
The clause will be valid after it receives approval of the Czech
government by December 14. Jakub Knezu
CULTURE
TV Series "Gallery of Elite of the Nation" Comes to an End
A portrait of tennis player Martina Navratilova by director Karel
Smyczek ended the 100 program cycle "Gallery of the Elite of the Nation"
November 28.
The production company Febio portrayed various luminaries in
15-minute films. Nearly 70 directors collaborated with the project,
producing the films for less than 20 million crowns.
The production firm is working on a similar project, to be called
Genus. Karolina Polakova
SPORT
Autumn Half of Football League Finishes
Results of 15th round: Viktoria Plzen - Slavia Prague 1:1, Hradec
Kralove - Sigma Olomouc 2:0, Boby Brno - Union Cheb 6:0, Svit Zlin
- Viktoria Zizkov 0:5, Slovan Liberec - Banik Ostrava 2:1, Bohemians
Prague - Svarc Benesov 5:2, SK Ceske Budejovice - Petra Drnovice 2:0,
Sparta Prague - FK Jablonec 3:0.
Slovan Bratislava Leads in Slovakia
Fall football finished in Slovakia with SK Slovan Bratislava at the
top of the standings, undefeated and 11 points ahead of FC Kosice and
Spartak Trnava. Rudolf Cernik
One Half of Extraleague Finishes With Olomouc Ahead
Hockey players from Olomouc established themselves atop the
standings after the 22nd round.
Postponed match of the 17th round: Pardubice - Sparta Prague 2:2.
22nd round: Jihlava - Vitkovice 2:5, Ceske Budejovice - Pardubice
4:1, Litvinov - Vsetin 4:5, Olomouc - Slavia Prague 3:0, Sparta Prague
- Plzen 3:1, Zlin - Kladno 2:2. Tomas Kopecny
Jana Novotna a Karel Novacek - Best Czech Tennis Players
Jana Novotna and Karel Novacek were honored as the best Czech tennis
players, with Novotna winning the Gold Canary, given to the best player.
But behind the scenes , people talked about the situation in the
Czech Davis Cup team more then about the Gold Canary. New coach
Vladislav Savrda, who replaced Vladimir Zednik at the request of the
players, including Petr Korda and Novacek, was unpleasantly surprised
that Korda and Novacek withdrew from the team. Mirek Langer
Navratilova Starts Farewell European Tour in Bratislava
In the Bratislava exhibition "Bye, Bye, Martina", Martina
Navratilova defeated French player Mary Pierce 6:2, 6:4. The match
was attended by about 3,600 fans of Navratilova. Her photographs topped
Czech and Slovak newspapers for the second time in two weeks, with the
daily Sport devoting a four-page enclosure to her career.
Martina Navratilova will play in Prague later. Mirek Langer
Karel Gut Became New President of Czech Ice Hockey Union
Karel Gut, coach of the world champions in 1976 and 1977, has become
president of the Czech Ice Hockey Union. Although faced by Ceske
Budejovice players president Jaroslav Pouzan, and former coach Augustin
Bubnik, Gut won 49 of 59 votes. Tomas Kopecny
WEATHER
Biting cold weather set in this week, with hard frosts under
generally clear skies.
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