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Carolina (English) No 135
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STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
School of Social Sciences of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
E-mail address: carolina@n.fsv.cuni.cz
Fax: (+422) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 135, Friday, November 4, 1994.
EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (October 19 to November 2)
Havel Marks October 28 With Flowers at St. Wenceslas Statue
Vaclav Havel and Prague Mayor Jan Koukal placed bouquets at the foot
of Prague's statue of St. Wenceslas October 28 to mark the anniversary
of the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918.
The small ceremony was witnessed by about 100 citizens. Afterewards,
Havel said the calm atmosphere was a dignified celebration of the
national holiday, which remembers independence from the
Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Last year, Havel's visit to the statue clashed with the planned
demonstration of Miroslav Sladek's right-wing Republican Party.
In the first courtyard of the Prague Castle, accompanied by Defense
Minister Vilem Holan, Havel he took part in the swearing in of 150
Castle Guard soldiers. In the afternoon, Havel and his wife Olga
strolled in the southern gardens of Prague Castle and in the evening
attended a festive concert in the Vladislav Hall and a reception in the
Spanish Hall of Prague Castle.
In the morning, wreaths were laid by delegations of the Civic
Democratic Alliance, headed by Jan Kalvoda, the Social Democrats, led by
Milos Zeman, and the Free Democrats, headed by former foreign affairs
minister Jiri Dienstbier. Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus's Civic Democratic
Party did not send anybody to the statue officially, as Mayor Koukal, of
Civic Democratic Party, accompanied the President as the capital city
representative. Stepanka Kucerova/Jiri Schneider
Three Hospitalized After the Republican demonstration
Several people were injured following clashes between anarchists and
skinheads following a demonstration of the far-right Union for the
Republic-Republican Party of Czechoslovakia.
The first violence between anarchists from the Anti-Fascist League
and supporters of the Republican Party occured in Celetna Street shortly
after the demonstration began.
Miroslav Sladek, chairman of the Republican Party, gave a two-hour
speech during the demonstration in the Old Town Square October 28
marking the birth of Czechoslovakia.
Nova-TV reporter Marek Vitek was beaten by bodyguards of Sladek at
the demonstration. He was hospitalized that evening with a cerebral
concussion.
Nova Executive Manager Vladimir Zelezny said the station would file
a lawsuit for "Sladek's bodyguards' brutal kicks." Lawyers for Nova also
claim that Sladek could be named in a suit, as they allege Sladek
prompted the attack.
But Josef Krejsa, a leading Republican, said it is Vitek who is
guilty. "Despite numerous warnings, he tresspassed into the organizers'
area," Krejsa said. "At the moment he was being asked to leave, he
brutally attacked the organizers."
Krejsa added that the reporter had intended to attack Sladek.
Therefore, the Republican Party would take legal steps against Marek
Vitek, because he "disrupted a legally announced meeting in a serious
manner," Krejsa said.
After his release from the hospital, Vitek immediately denied the
accusations of Republicans. According to his version of events, which he
says is supported by witnesses and videotape, he was attacked outside
the organizers' area. In his testimony for police, Vitek said he
recognized among his attackers a man who had been involved in the
Republican disruption of a memorial service in Terezin earlier this
year. (The man is being sued because of Vitek's coverage of the
Terezin's events.)
A special team of investigators was set up to examine the entire
incident.
After coming to the Wenceslas Square, where the Republicans had not
been permitted to hold their demonstration, Miroslav Sladek attempted to
talk from the pedestal of the St. Wenceslas Statue. This was prevented
by the town police. During this incident, Republican parliamentary
representative Jan Vik fell to the ground, having slipped on wet stairs.
Sladek's followers then faced the attacks of skinheads.
A town policeman hit by a cobblestone was also taken to the
hospital. According to the Town Police director three policemen were
injured and twenty people were arrested.
Stepanka Kucerova/Vera Vitkova/Jiri Schneider
Klaus Asked to Seek Ban on Republicans
Pavel Hirs, chairman of the Liberal and National Social Party, has
asked Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus to request that the constitutional
court ban the Union for the Republic-Republican Czechoslovak Party
(SRP-RSC).
Hirs said the action is needed because of the behavior of
Republicans and their leader, Miroslav Sladek, during October 28
celebrations. Republican actions "are constantly jeopardizing the
democratic situation in the Czech Republic," and disturbing political
stability, Hirs said.
Klaus said he thinks banning the Republican Party is unsuitable,
although he said he doesn't like either the party or its
representatives. However, Czechs lived too long in a state where
thoughts were forbidden, Klaus said.
For now, a wide spectrum of parties are rejecting the idea of
banning the Republicans. Jakub Knezu/Eftychia Damianidou
Vlk Named Cardinal of Catholic Church
Prague Archbishop Miloslav Vlk was designated a cardinal by Pope
John Paul II October 30.
Vlk was one of 30 newly named cardinals, raising the total number to
167. However, only 120 of these have the right to vote for a new Pope,
voting being limited to cardinals under the age of 80. The new cardinals
will be given their caps and cassocks November 26, when they will
officially start their work.
Speculations about candidates who could replace John Paul II, ill in
recent months, have appeared in the Italian press. One of four possible
candidates mentioned is Vlk.
Vlk said he doesn't think the designation is his own honor, but is
an appraisal of the whole Czech Catholic Church, a view shared by Czech
President Vaclav Havel. A week after his investiture, Vlk will celebrate
the thanksgiving service at the St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague
Castle.
According to Czech law, Vlk could have problems with his
citizenship. Cardinals, as the Pope's closest colleagues, become Vatican
citizens. But cardinals who are not Rome-based keep their native
citizenship. The law of the Czech citizenship does not allow dual
citizenship for those who request a new citizenship of their own will.
"Prague is a very important place for a cardinal," said Vlk. "I take
my designation more as a bond to the Central Europe."
Tereza Hadravova a Michal Vynohradnyk/Jiri Chvojka
Police President Dismissed
Interior Minister Jan Ruml, acting with agreement of the government,
dismissed police president Stanislav Novotny October 26.
According to Ruml, the main reason the dismissal was his effort to
create a police department that would be autonomous from the Interior
Ministry. Novotny also promoted personnel changes that were unpopular
with parlimentarians. He replaced 15 district police directors, the head
of the Prague police, and in September, dismissed his deputy, Jiri
Stanek. Novotny said he didn't think he had make such mistakes as to be
dismissed, but added that he wouldn't appeal Ruml's decision.
In four years, Novotny is the third police president to be
dismissed.
The police are temporarily headed by Jaroslav Zatorsky, Novotny's
deputy. He has the same authority as police director, but must consult
with Ruml. Karolina Polakova/Martina Vojtechovska
Czech-Romanian Trade Pact Signed
A treaty establishing a free-trade zone between the Czech Republic
and Romania was signed in Prague October 24 by prime
ministers Vaclav Klaus and Nicolae Vacaroi.
The two leaders also discussed the Czech Privatization effort. While
the Czech effort is nearing completion and being hailed as one of
Central and Eastern Europe's most progressive schemes, Romania has made
only tentative steps toward privatization.
Michal Vynohradnyk/Eftychia Damianidou
Angolan ambassador expelled from the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has expelled the Angolan ambassador. Manuel
Quarto Punzo on Monday, October 24. In a diplomatic note, Manuel Quarto
Punzo was given 72 hours to leave the country along with four other
Angolan diplomats.
The expulsion came in response to the occupation of the residence of
the Czech charge d'affaire, Zdenek Mrklovsky, in Angola. Mrklovsky had
been given 48 hours by Angolan officials to leave his residence.
However, an commando unit of the Angolan military had already occupied
the residence. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affaires called the Angolan
moves a "violation of the basic principles of international law.
"It is a provision we had to undertake because our mission in Angola
was occupied, thus preventing our ambassy from its activities," said
a ministry statement in connection with the expulsion.
However, the Foreign Ministry said it is still interested in keeping
good relations with Angola. Vera Vitkova
Scandals Drag Down Politician's Numbers
The October Center for Empirical Research study of Czech preferences
of politicians showed that scandal can hurt.
The approval rating of Antonin Baudys, the former defense minister
fired after a series of embarrassing scandals, dropped 18 percent. For
vice-chairman of the Civic Democratic Party Petr Cermak, who was accused
of not paying taxes on a gift Mercedes, the drop was 10 percent. And
Ludek Rubas, health minister, saw his popularity drop 10 percent in the
wake of problems with the privatization of Na Homolce Hospital.
No such problems plague, Trade and Commerce Minister Vladimir
Dlouhy, who maintains his iron-clad grip on the Mr. Popular title, with
85 percent approval ratings. Next comes Foreign Minister Josef
Zieleniec, at 72 percent, followed by Jiri Dienstbier, former foreign
minister and head of the Free Democrats, with 70 percent.
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and ministers Jan Kalvoda (deputy prime
minister), Ivan Kocarnik (finance) and Jan Strasky (transportation),
each got over 60 percent. Approval ratings for President Vaclav Havel
were not involved in the research. Andrea Rihova/Jiri Chvojka
Czech Political Scientist and Philospher Ivan Svitak Dies
Czech philosopher Ivan Svitak died October 20 in Prague after a long
illness.
Svitak, a leading figure in the Prague Spring in 1968, was born
October 10, 1925, in Hranice na Morave, a city in central Moravia. He
graduated from the Department of Arts of the Charles University in
Prague, and in the '50s and '60s worked as scientific assistant in the
Philosophical Institute of Czech Academy of Science (CSAV) and in the
Film Institute.
During this period, he wrote numerous philosophical essays and
articles dealing with the issue of film aesthetics. Along with these
activities he also published several books. Svitak belonged to the
reform communists and was one of the most famous people in the Prague
Spring. He was involved in activities of the Club of Commited
Non-partisans (KAN).
In 1968 due to his "anti-state activity," he was expelled from the
Communist Party, removed as scientific secretary of the Philosophical
Institute of Czech Academy of Science, deprived of the Czech
citizienship by the means of judicial decree and sentenced in abstentia
to 8 years in jail. In exile in the United States, he lectured at the
Columbia University and as a full-time professor at San Diego State
University in California since 1970. During this period many of his
critical books, such as "Round Square," and "Dialectics of Power", were
issued by exile publishers.
In March 1990, he returned to Prague, active as a left-oriented
politician. In the elections of 1992 he became a Left Bloc
representative of the Federal Assembly.
Ivan Svitak was a critic of the economic reforms of the Prime
Minister Vaclav Klaus.
Tereza Hadravova according to Rude Pravor/ Vera Vitkova
Former Czechoslovak Prime Minister Oldrich Cernik Dies
Oldrich Cernik died of a heart attack October 19. Cernik was the
last living leader of the Prague Spring of 1968.
Cernik was injured in June when his car skidded into a parked truck.
He had bruised lungs and five broken ribs.
Cernik began his political career when he was 28. He became an
official of the Communist Party and eventually chairman of the regional
council in Ostrava. He became minister of energy in 1960.
During the '60s, he was a supporter of political and economic
reforms. In August 1968, following the Russian invasion, Cernik, the
prime minister, he was forced at gunpoint to Moscow to sign the Moscow
Accord. He was replaced by Lubomir Strougal and in 1970 he was expelled
from Communist party. Jakub Knezu/Martina Vojtechovska
Prague Residents Make, and Pay, the Most
Czech Statistics Bureau data show that Prague residents earn the
most for their work, but also pay the most for goods of anyone in the
Czech Republic.
The Statistics Bureau report shows that the average monthly wage for
Prague residents is 7,386 crowns. The average wage in Eastern Bohemia,
by contrast, is only 5,423 crowns, 30 percent less than in the capital
city.
After Praguers, Central Bohemia workers are best off. They receive
an average monthly wages of 6,439 crowns. The nationwide average is
6,301.
Acccording to experts, these differences are caused by several
factors. Businesses with high salaries, such as banking, consulting
services or even some organs of the state bureaucracy, are concentrated
in Prague. Prague also has extremely low unemployment, which drives up
wages.
But Prague residents need those hefty paychecks to pay their bills.
>From 1989 to 1993, prices in Prague rose 124 percent. By contrast,
prices in Hradec Kralove increased only 105 percent.
Prague leads the way in food prices, too. Restaurants in the capital
cost twice what they do anywhere else in the country.
Karolina Polakova/Jiri Schneider
Another Camp For Refugees Opens in Vysne Lhoty
A fourth camp for refugees was opened in Vysne Lhoty, and foreigners
seeking shelter in the Czech Republic have already arrived. These
refugees come from former East Bloc states, but also from Africa, Asia,
and South America. Shah Muhammed/Eftychia Damianidou
Prince Rastislav Canonized
Great Moravian Prince Rastislav was sanctified by the Orthodox
Church in Brno on Sunday. Rastislav, who summoned Saints Cyril and
Methodious to Moravia in the 9th Century was enlisted in the calender of
the Orthodox Church by decree of the Constantinople Patriarch. After
Saint Gorazda, he becomes the second modern national orthodox saint. His
nameday will be celebrated annually on October 28.
Michal Vynohradnyk/Jiri Schneider
FROM SLOVAKIA
First Slovak Referendum Fails
Only one in five voters turned out for a referendum on the future of
privatization in Slovakia, rendering the result invalid.
The referendum, if passed, would have required people and companies
to declare the source of money used in privatization bids, and was
widely seen as a threat to any future privatization.
Although the referendum is not valid, it received support from 93.6
percent of those who voted. Only 4 percent voted against the referendum,
and 2.4 percent of votes were ruled invalid.
The referendum came only weeks after an arduous parliamentary
election in Slovakia, and the lack of interest was attributed to voter
fatigue. Politicians seemed as tired as voters, as there was very little
campaigning for the referendum.
The referendum was initiated by Jan Luptak, leader of Association
Workers of Slovakia, and supported by deputies from the Movement for
a Democratic Slovakia, the Slovak National Party and some deputies of
the Democratic Left Party.
Holding the referendum cost Slovaks 60 million crowns.
Lukas Zentel/Martina Vojtechovska
CULTURE
Bernstein's West Side Story Czechmade
On October 26, on Prague's Rokoko theater, the primier of Romove and
Juliet -- E-55 Story, was held. It was inspired by Leonard Bernstein's
West Side Story. The lyrics were written by Janek Ledecky, music was
composed by Miroslav Korinek and the director was Petr Polednak, who
came with idea to create a Czech version of West Side Story.
"I have never digressed so far from the original version," said
Korinek. "I had a little hesitation, we are going to very thin ice and
it would have been a crime to hurt Bernstein's music."
Where it was necessary to create harder music, Miki Jelinek and
Martin Kumzak, who arranged West Side Story in the Karlin Theater,
contributed arrangements.
Besides melodies from Bernstein's musical, we can hear a passage
from Dvorak's Jakobin opera, and motifs from Sarka and Dvorak cello's
concerto. Jana Maruskova/Martina Vojtechovska
Comedian Jara Kohout died
Jara Kohout, comedian and theatrical performer, died in the night
from October 23, one day short of his nintieth birthday.
In the First Republic, Kohout was active in theater and cabaret,
performing in the Rokoko, Red Ace Cabaret and the Tyl Theater. In 1938,
he took over from Voskovec and Werich, after their departure overseas,
Novak's Theatre, where he was in charge until 1946. He left
Czechoslovakia in 1948 to live in exile. In the United States, he worked
for Radio Free Europe and he made eleven films.In 1990, he returned to
Prague and when he was 88 years old he got married for the second time.
During his life, Jara Kohout made 60 full-length films.
With his wife Marcela, a journalist 60 years his junior, he wrote of
book of memories. He did not live to see it published.
Jindrich Jirasek/Eftychia Damianidou
Roxette and David Byrne - a concert blast
Roxette, the Swedish pop-music group, was introduced to its Czech
audience at two near sell-out concerts in Prague October 26 and 27. The
group is known for its hits The Look, Joyride and It Must Have Been
Love.
At the same time, David Byrne, founding member of the seminal new
wave band Talking Heads, performed songs from his solo career and
Talking Heads classics like Burning Down the House to a packed Archa
Theater. Tomas Kopecny/ Vera Vitkova
ECONOMICS
New Skoda Unveiled
Skoda Felicia - the new Czech car - was officially presented to
guests and journalists on October 26 in Prague's Hotel Atrium. Prague
Mayor Jan Koukal christened the new model water from the Vltava River on
the Charles Bridge.
Felicia is the first new model in the Skoda-Volkwagen joint effort.
After months of secret development, the successor to Skoda's Favorit was
revealed. It is a 5-door sedan with a 1,289 ccm engine. Felicia has
a new modern interior and exterior design. There are many systems giving
more comfort and security than previous Skodas, including airbag,
automatic braking systems, air-conditioning and a three-way catalysator.
Jiri Hrabovsky, Skoda spokesman, said the the most important changes
were made on the chassis. The car is made of 80 percent Czech
components. The highest speed of the car is 150 km per hour, but
customers can have also stronger VW engines, which allow higher speed.
The Felicia base price will be 209,000 crowns. Sales will begin in
November.
President Vaclav Havel tried the car and said he liked it. "I guess
it is such a small family car for middle classes and I hope they will be
able to afford this," said Havel. Petr Hosek/Jiri Chvojka
Exchange Rates of the Czech National Bank (valid from November 3)
Checks Cash
country Buy Sell Middle Buy Sell
Great Britain 1 GBP 44,455 44,901 44,678 43,26 46,10
France 1 FRF 5,300 5,354 5,327 5,13 5,53
Canada 1 CAD 20,018 20,220 20,119 19,23 21,01
Austria 1 ATS 2,581 2,607 2,594 2,53 2,65
Germany 1 DEM 18,166 18,348 18,257 17,80 18,72
Switzerland 1 CHF 21,823 22,043 21,933 21,43 22,43
USA 1 USD 27,131 27,403 27,267 26,57 27,97
Slovensko 1 XCU -- -- 34,752 -- -
SPORT
Viktoria Zizkov Leads Football League
In the eleventh round, Slavia Prague beat Viktoria Zizkov, which led
the standings until then, so Slavia moved to the top of the standings.
Slovan Liberec and Boby Brno continued their accomplishments: Slovan
defeated Sigma Olomouc 2:1 and Boby Brno won in at Drnovice. On the
contrary, Sparta Prague lost again at the opponent's home stadium,
- 1:2 in Hradec Kralove, the last team in the standings.
Other results: Cheb - Ostrava 0:0, Plzen - Benesov 2:1, Zlin
- Jablonec 2:1, Bohemians Prague - Ceske Budejovice 0:0.
In the twelfth round, Slavia brought only one point for a draw
without goals from Cheb, while Viktoria Zizkov beat the third-place
Slovan Liberec 1:0 and returned to first place. Boby Brno finished the
match in Benesov without two expelled players, but still kept a 1:1
draw.
Other results: Jablonec - Hradec Kralove 3:0, Ostrava - Ceske
Budejovice 2:1, Olomouc - Plzen 3:1, Ruda Cernik/Mirek Langer
Three Medals from Hall Cycling World Championships
The pair of Miroslav Berger and Miroslav Kratochvil won the silver
medal and followed the glorious tradition of the Pospisils brothers, the
twenty-time world champions in bicycle-polo. The next two bronze medals
are for figure bicycling: Martina Stepankova in category of soloists and
Sarka Jelinkova with Blanka Pospisilova among couples. Mirek Langer
Czech Hockey Players Return from NHL
Because of a strike in the U.S. National Hockey League over wages
some Czech players temporarily return to the ice-hockey Extraleague.
Among the short-time returnees are Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh
Penguins, and Frantisek Musil of the Calgary Flames.
Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
Czech Ice-hockey Extraleague Results
Twelfth round: Ceske Budejovice - Sparta Prague 2:4, Vitkovice
- Litvinov 4:1, Plzen - Zlin 4:4, Vsetin - Olomouc 2:0, Kladno - Jihlava
3:1, Slavia Prague - Pardubice 4:2.
Thirteenth round: Olomouc - Vitkovice 4:3, Zlin - Sparta Prague
5:2, Slavia Prague - Ceske Budejovice 3:1, Pardubice - Vsetin 3:6,
Litvinov - Kladno 3:3,Jihlava - Plzen 2:1.
Fourteenth round: Ceske Budejovice - Zlin 4:8, Sparta Prague
- Jihlava 3:1, Plzen - Litvinov 3:3, Kladno - Olomouc 5:5, Vitkovice
- Pardubice 3:3, Vsetin - Slavia Prague 4:0.
Fifteenth round: Vsetin - Ceske Budejovice 4:3, Olomouc - Plzen
2:2, Slavia Prague - Vitkovice 1:5, Pardubice - Kladno 4:4, Litvinov
- Sparta Prague 7:1, Jihlava - Zlin 3:4. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
Teams for Davis Cup and Federation Cup Have Got New Coachs
Vladislav Savrda, former coach of Czech tennis player Karel Novacek,
will run the Czech Davis Cup team in the next year. The women's
Federation Cup team will be run by Helena Mandlikova, former player and
now coach of Jana Novotna. The Executive Committee of the Czech Tennis
Union has appointed them. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
A warm break in the chilling of the autumn has seen daytime
temperatures as high as 15 degrees Celsius.
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