Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Carolina (English) No 136
CCCCC AA RRRRR OOOO LL II NN N AA
CC AA A RR R OO O LL II NNN N AA A
CC AA A RRRRR OO O LL II NN N N AA A
CC AAAAAA RR R OO O LL II NN NN AAAAAA
CCCCC AA A RR R OOOO LLLLLL II NN N AA A
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 136, Friday, November 11, 1994.
EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 2-9)
Coupon Privatization Head Arrested in Bribery Scandal
The head of the Coupon Privatization Center was arrested October
31 after he allegedly accepted an 8 million Czech crown bribe.
Jaroslav Lizner was arrested as he was leaving the Asia restaurant
in Prague. In his briefcase was 8,334,500 crowns, mostly in 5,000-crown
notes. Three people with Lizner were also taken into custody, but they
were released after an initial interrogation.
The firm suspected of making the bribe, Trans World International
(TWI), allegedly wanted to gain an interest in a dairy enterprise in
Western Bohemia.
On November 1, Lizner was accussed in court of accepting the bribe.
A day later, he was again taken into custody for fear he would interfere
with witnesses.
According to allegations, Lizner was to arrange for TWI, a trade
company, to buy a major share of Mlekarna Klatovy, a dairy concern, and
to arrange contacts between the firm and the CS Fund, which according to
various reports has between one-fifth and one-third of the Mlekarna
shares. However, the exact nature of Lizner's alleged services for the
bribe remains unclear.
Interior Ministry Spokesman Jan Subrt confirmed that shares of
Mlekarny Klatovy were involved in the scandal. According to Subrt's
statement, Lizner was joined at the Asia restaurant by representatives
from the CS Fund and TWI - altogether six people.
According to Tomas Chrz, CS Fund executive general manager, the two
fund representative were invited to the dinner "on the occasion of
signing an agreement regarding the sale of shares from the second wave
of coupon privatization." Stepanka Kucerova/Vera Vitkova
Arrest Provokes Concern for Scheme
The bribery arrest of Jaroslav Lizner, a key figure in the coupon
privatization scheme, has caused speculation on how the case could
influence the conclusion of coupon privatization in the Czech Republic.
One of the chief authors of the privatization plan, Prime Minister
Vaclav Klaus, said in an interview with Denni Telegraf that Lizner's
arrest does not directly affect the privatization drive.
"Coupon privatization is going to finish," Klaus said. "In fact,
there are only a few days left, and then we will never see it again. So
I cannot even imagine that the thing would affect the future course,
anyhow. And to think that foreign investors would consider the case
a reason not to invest in the Czech Republic; it is only senseless
hyperbole."
For Klaus, the alleged bribe represents only a personal failure.
Tomas Jezek, another author of coupon privatization and chairman of
the Parliament's Economic Comittee, said speculation about the scheme
pointed in the wrong direction. Damaged, he said was "only Jaroslav
Lizner, and Jaroslav Lizner alone.
But he added,"I feel like someone had spilled dirt on my child."
On November 6, on the television show Debate, the chairman of the
National Property Fund, Roman Ceska, said Lizner could not have acted
alone, because the information he needed is compartmentalized.
However, the opposition Social Democrat leader, Milos Zeman, said
it is regrettable that this case confirms his party's suspicions of
widespread privatization corruption.
The head of the parliamentary club of the Left Bloc, Jaroslav
Ortman, indicated that the coalition has so far refused to monitor the
privatization process. J. Chvojka
Election Campaign Begins
An eight-day campaign leading to local elections November 18 and
19 began Tuesday, with representatives of the republic-level four-party
coalition pledging to compete honestly.
The campaign will end two days before the election begins.
The campaign will be less intense than parliamentary elections,
because of bans on paid radio and TV advertising.
It will also be less expensive. The most expensive campaigns will
be run by the Civic Demcratic Party and the Civic Democratic Alliance,
whose expenditures will exceed 10 million crowns.
In some cities including Pardubice, Nachod and Zatec, public
notices were posted banning the promotion of communism. It is not clear
whether town halls will attempt to enforce the ban. However, the
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia has said it will not observe the
notice as it feels such a ban contradicts the constitution.
According to a study by the Empirical Research Center, 67 percent
plan to vote, 8 percent don't and the rest are undecided.
In no area does interest in the election drop below 50 percent.
according to MF Dnes Martina Vojtechovska/Jirka Sch.
Nazi Victims to Receive Compensation
Victims of Nazi persecution will are going to receive from the Czech
state 2,300 crowns for each month they were imprisoned or detained.
The same amount will be given to widows or children of those who
survived imprisonment or detention but died between then and now. The
preamble to the law granting compensation states that enacting the law
does not affect claims of compensation against Germany, which as the
successor state of the Nazi Third Reich carries the legal burdens of the
Nazi persecution. Martina Krizkova/Jirka Sch.
Miroslav Sladek Accused of Rioting October 28
Miroslav Sladek, chairman of the far-right Republican Party, has
been charged with calling an unauthorized rally in Wenceslas Square
October 28. The rally led to several arrests and injuries.
Sladek is also accused of disregarding a police summons.
Czech police have tried unsuccessfully for several days to arrest
Sladek at home. On November 5, Prague Deputy Mayor Josef Kredba, applied
for a search warrant for Sladek's apartment, but the warrant has not
been granted.
But a special investigative team decided that all necessary
evidence had been collected, and the police watch of Sladek's home was
called off November 7. The charges will be sent to him by mail.
Martina Krizkova/Martina Vojtechovska
Founder of Civil Democrats Leaves Party
Petr Havlik, one of the founders of the Civic Democratic Party
(ODS) in 1991, has left the party.
Havlik said the main reason for his departure was the performance
of ODS Vice-Chairman Petr Cermak, who has been mired in scandal.
According to Havlik, Cermak's activity is destroying his previous work.
Havlik, who works for the KJD firm which runs the failed "Ceska
lotynka" lottery, said his decision is not connected to his role in
running the lottery.
"I advocate the first principles of the ODS program," he said. "If
it's possible, I'll try to be useful to Czech right wing. There is
a long way to perfection." Jana Maruskova/Martina Vojtechovska
Campaign Seeks to Stop Drug Abuse
An anti-drugs campaign kicked off November 2 at more than 30 youth
clubs in the Czech Republic. The campaign, called Stop Drugs, is
concentrating on preventing drug abuse by young people and on informing
the general public about the drug problem.
But some have criticized the program as flashy but lacking
substance.
Dr. Jiri Presl, who works at the Drop In Foundation, a center
helping those addicted to drugs, said the money being spent on the Stop
Drugs campaign could fund his organization's work for three years.
"Nevertheless, I respect the importance of prevention," Presl said.
According to the latest survey of young people, 60 percent of those
under 20 years know at least one drug addict, and nearly half have been
offered drugs.
While the use of hard drugs, especially heroin, is increasing in
the Czech Republic, rates of use are still lower than elsewhere in
Europe. Ludek S. Stanek/Martina Vojtechovska
Where Is My Home? Right Here, Say Czechs
Even if they were able to leave without any problems, 80 percent of
Czechs would remain in their country, according to an October survey of
1,120 people 14 and older. The survey was conducted by the AISA agency.
The remaining fifth would rather move to the move to the United
States, Switzerland, Germany and Canada, followed by Australia, France,
England, Italy and Sweden. The group that would move is comprised
primarily of men, young people and those from cities, especially in
heavily polluted Northern Bohemia. Jirka Schneider/Martina Vojtechovska
Most Popular Media Surveyed
Blesk, the tabloid newspaper with splashy color and lurid
headlines, is read by 17 percent of Czechs, making it the country's most
popular newspaper.
The private television station Nova-TV, which started only in
February, is the most watched station, at 66 percent, and the stalwart
first channel of Czech Radio-Radiozurnal is number one with 17 percent
of Czech ears. The study was conducted by AISA and GFK agencies, and
published last week. Tomas Kopecny/Martina Vojtechovska
New Ambassador to Isreal Appointed
President Vaclav Havel appointed former spokesman of the Civic
Democratic Party Jiri Schneider ambassador of the Czech Republic to
Israel on Tuesday. Jirka Sch.
PEN Club Meets In Prague
The 61st Congress of the Pen Club of writers began meeting in
Prague November 6 at the Spanish Hall of the Prague Castle. Five hundred
novelists and intellectuals are attending.
FROM SLOVAKIA
New Slovak Government Formed
A coalition headed by Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic
Slovakia took over from the government of Jozef Moravcik November 3.
The governing coalition, with 83 of 150 seats in Parliament, is
made of Meciar's HZDS, the Slovak National Party and the Committee of
Slovak Workers.
Jan Luptak, head of the Committee of Slovak workers, said: "I am
glad we will be involved in cleaning our society. We know what our
people want."
The coalition made clear that it will settle old scores in the
turbulent world of Slovak politics. During the first parliamentary
meeting, which lasted 23 hours, parliament voted to replace the heads of
the television and radio council, the general public prosecutor, members
of the highest control office, the leadership of the national property
fund, the control organ of Slovak Secret Service and the director of
Slovak Radio.
Parliament also named a commission to explain the constitutional
crisis in March, when Meciar's and his cabinet was ousted. These
decisions were taken unanimously by coalition members after opposition
members walked out in protest against the coalition.
Michal Vynohradnyk, Lukas Zentel and Jakub Knezu
ECONOMICS
Coupon Privatization Set to Finish
The sixth and final round of coupon privatization began November
7. It will last just one week and will complete the second wave and the
whole program of coupon privatization.
Small investors and experts alike are facing the round with less
than rosy expectations. Those who waited for the final round, hoping to
gain many shares for only a few investment points, are disappointed to
find that many pursued the same strategy, and that only a small amount
of property remains.
The Price Comission, which small investors were hoping would slash
prices in the final round, acted with greater caution than experts felt
necessary. Another aspect which hurts small investors is the tiny pool
of stocks remaining in about a hundred entertprises. For Sativa Kerskov,
there is only one share to be sold. The share price of 1,000 coupon
points is the highest ever set. Petr Hosek
Stock Exchange Falling
Stock exchange indexes are falling again, lead by such enterprises
as Opatovice Power Station, which has fallen by 60 percent from its high
point.
According to Milan Bohac, stock trader Czechoslovak Trade Bank, no
distinct improvement can be expected until the appearance of shares from
the second wave of coupon privatization next February. Compounding the
falling prices, investors are selling now to gain funds for expected
profitable trading with second-wave shares. Petr Hosek/Jirka Sch.
CULTURE
Golden Kids Stage Comeback
A sold-out Lucerna Hall November 3 welcomed back the Golden Kids --
Marta Kubisova, Helena Vondrackova, and Vaclav Neckar -- who appeared
together again after 24 years. The Golden Kids, who performed pop-music
in the 60's, once again sang Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are
A-Changin'" and the Beatles "Hey Jude."
Concert promoter Bohuslav Ondracek was pleased that the crowd
demanded encores of the Golden Kids. In Saturday's Mlada Fronta Dnes,
Vladimir Vlasak wrote: "The Golden Kids were with little exagerration
a symbol of the divided and, after years, reunited Czech popular music,
and one can say they were also a symbol of forgiveness"
according to MfD Andrea Rihova/Jirka Sch
Semafor Celebrates 35 Years
Theater Semafor, which left its stage in the Passage Alfa because of
reconstruction, celebrated its 35th anniversary October 30 with the
300th performances of "Jonas, Let Us Say Tuesday." Andrea Rihova
Actor Zdenek Rehor Dies
Zdenek Rehor, an outstanding Czech actor who started playing at the
Vinohrady Theater in 1950, died Tuesday at the age of 74.
Rehor, who was born in Jicin in 1920, first bacame a teacher. But
after the Second World War, he began to play in the Village Theater of
Jindrich Plachta, then in the D46 Theater.
His career included work for television serials and smaller roles
in films. In the theater, he played Polonius in "Hamlet," Kalafuna in
"The Bagpiper of Strakonice," and Ondrej in Karel Capek's "Mother."
In film he was the water-sprite Vodicka in Vorlicek's comedy "How
to Drown Dr. Mracek," and one of the alcoholics in Klima's "Good Pigeons
Return."
On television, he was the awkward father in "Such a Normal Family."
Karolina Polakova/Mirek Langer
SPORT
Czech Hockey Wins German Cup
Czech hockey players under coach Ludek Bukac won the 7th German Cup
last week in Stuttgart. They won the cup after victories over Finland
3:2, and the German league All-Stars 3:2, which led to a final match
with Slovakia.
Up to the German Cup, the Czech Republic had a good record against
Slovakia, winning all three matches an outscoring the Slovaks 21:5.
But in Stuttgart, Slovakia led at the beginning of the third period
3:0. But with a strong third period, the Czechs won 4:3.
Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
Hockey Extraleague Continues After German Cup Win
After a one-week break for Czechs to play in the German Cup, the
Hockey Extraleague went on with its next round.
Sixteenth round: Zlin - Litvinov 4:3, Sparta Prague - Olomouc 2:2,
Kladno - Slavia Prague 8:4, Plzen - Pardubice 6:1, Ceske Budejovice
- Jihlava 4:0, Vitkovice - Vsetin 1:1. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
Slavia Overtakes Viktoria Zizkov Atop the Football Standings
Slavia Prague took care of Banik Ostrava itself, but it had
Viktoria Plzen to thank for beating Viktoria Zizkov 3:2. The two matches
put Slavia Prague back on top of the first
football league standings before a break for a match between the Czech
Republic and the Netherlands.
Slovan Liberec beat Union Cheb 2:0 to stay in
third ahead of Boby Brno, which beat Sigma Olomouc 2:0.
Sparta Prague lost its fourth away match in a row, dropping to
Ceske Budejovice 0:1, and falling nine points behind Slavia.
The match between cellar-dwelling Hradec
Kralove and Drnovice, with new coach Stanislav Jarabek, finished
a 0:0 draw.
Other results: Zlin - Benesov 3:1, Jablonec - Bohemians Prague 3:0
Ruda Cernik/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
All this week the weather in the Czech republic was cloudy, with
occassional rain and foggy mornings. Temperatures at night between 0 and
4 degrees Celsius, and day temperatures were between 9 and 13.
Eftychia Damianidou/Mirek Langer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The
subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. Send them
please to the address:
carolina@n.fsv.cuni.cz
To subscribe to CAROLINA you send an e-mail message to the address
LISTSERV@CSEARN.BITNET
or to the address:
LISTSERV@EARN.CVUT.CZ
The text of the message is:
SUBSCRIBE CAR-ENG First name Last name
for the English version or
SUBSCRIBE CAR-CS First name Last name
for the Czech version. To delete your subscription from the list
you send the following message to LISTSERV@EARN.CVUT.CZ:
SIGNOFF CAR-ENG or SIGNOFF CAR-CS
Please, don't send automatic replies to our list. You can temporalily
stop receiving of Carolna by sending the command:
SET CAR-ENG NOMAIL
The command should be sent to the address LISTSERV@EARN.CVUT.CZ
