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Carolina (English) No 185
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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 185, Friday, January 12, 1996.
HOLIDAY EVENTS (December 20 - January 10)
Czech Politicians Remember Francois Mitterrand
Former dissidents grieved for Francois Mitterrand, who had
supported their opposition movement during the old regime. When he
visited the Czech Republic in 1988, Mitterrand breakfasted with the
dissidents in political recognition of what had been until then
a criminal activity.
President Vaclav Havel remembers him as a politician-European
thinking in the long-term perspective. Post-revolution Minister of
Foreign Affairs and today the Co-chairman of the Free Democrat-National
Socialist Liberal Party Jiri Dienstbier Considers Mitterrand to be one
of the most important people since World War 2.
Premier Vaclav Klaus was shocked by news of Mitterrand's death,
especially when the French ambassador reminded him that he was probably
the last Czech politician to speak to Mitterrand.
Opposition politicians also payed their respects. Social Demorat
Chairman Milos Zeman was quoted as saying that Mitterrand was one of the
last politicians to deserve the denotation of statesman. Zdenek Mlynar,
honorary chairman of the Left Block and Charta 77 signatory, calls the
death a loss for all the world's socialists.
Both President Havel and Premier Klaus signed condolences at the
French embassy in Prague January 9. Havel attended the January 11
funeral in Paris. Lucie Dvorakova/Andrea Snyder
President Havel and Cardinal Vlk Visit Bosnia
President Vaclav Havel was in Bosnia December 22-23. His visit was
to support the arrival of the first international peace-keeping units.
He was the first head of state to visit Bosnia following the Dayton
Agreement.
Havel met with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic, Premier Haris
Silajdzic and representatives of all of Sarajevo's ethnic communities.
He honored fallen Sarajevans, toured the historical sights and opened
a Czech culture center.
President Havel was accompanied to Bosnia by Czech Minister of
Defense and Cardinal Miloslav Vlk. The archbiship cardinal from Prague
stayed for Christmas Eve to the conduct midnight mass in the Sarajevo
Cathedral. It was the first mass in for years to be conducted in peace.
Olga Huderova/Andrea Snyder
First Czech Soldiers in Bosnia
Twenty five Czech soldiers, who belong to IFOR (Implementation
Force) international peace-keeping forces, left for Bosnia on Thursday,
January 4. The officers are to assist planning of an operation, which
aims to maintain peace pact regulations in Bosnia. 14 more soldiers left
for former Jugoslavia Wednesday, January 14.
The first part of the battalion (over 850 soldiers) will be in
northwest Bosnia around January 16. The soldiers will work under the
Canadian brigade of the British division.
Olga Huderova/Katerina Zachovalova
Premier Visits United Arab Emirats and Kuwait
Czech Premier Vaclav Klaus was on a three-day official visit to the
the United Arab Emirats and Kuwait January 6-8.
Klaus met with the Kuwaiti head of state, Emir Shiek Ahmad Jabir
sabah Monday, January 8. He also met with the Crown Prince of Kuwait,
Kuwaiti Premier Shiek Saadam Abdallah Sabah, and with officials from the
Kuwaiti Chamber of Industry and Trade. On the Same day, the First Deputy
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandr Vondra signed
a Czech-Kuwaiti agreement regarding the support and protection of
investment. The agreement should facilitate financial co-operation. An
agreement concerning double taxation between the Czech republic and
Kuwait, and between the Czech Republic and the UAE, is also being
prepared. Natasa Hajkova/Andrea Snyder
Czech-Slovak Border Pact
Czech Minister of the Interior Jan Ruml and his Slovak counterpart
Ludovit Hudek signed an pact regarding Czech-Slovak border maitenence
January 4 at the Zidlochovice castle.
The administrative border should be shortened from from its current
285 km to 252 km. Of the nearly 20 proposed changes, the U Sabotu
community issue is one of the most fiercely debated. U Sabotu should
fall within the Slovak borders, but according to the latest city
referendum, 64 percent of the community's residents does not want to
live in the Slovak Republic. The Czech government is preparing
a compensation package for them. Parliament has yet to approve the pact
and then both presidents to sign. Natasa Hajkova/Andrea Snyder
Lubos Dobrovsky to Be New Czech Ambassador to Russia?
Current Czech Ambassador to Moscow Rudolf Slansky wants to resign
in January. Supposedly, the Director of the President's office and the
former Minister of Defence, Lubos Dobrovsky, should replace Slansky in
the office.
Dobrovsky, born in 1932 studied and translated from Russian. In
1967-68 he worked in Moscow as a radio correspondent.
Natasa Hajkova/Katerina Zachovalova
President Awards Legionnaires and OSN Peace Keepers
On New Year's Day President Vaclav Havel awarded 15 legionnaires
(one in memorium), who had faught in World War One the medal "For
Bravery." OSN peace keepers received the same award for bravery and the
saving of human lives. Three other UNPROFOR soldiers were awarded with
a "For merits" medal. Natasa Hajkova/Katerina Zachovalova
Probably No University Tuitions Next Year
Parliament returned the University Education Act bill to the
government for reappraisal. As a result, the tuition decision will
probably be delayed for some time.
The opposition, the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) and the
Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party all opposed
the bill, which was rejected mainly due to the tuition clause and
payment system. Minister of Education Ivan Pilip refused to reshape the
bill until elections. Pilip is qouted in Czech daily Mlada fronta dnes
as saying in parliament, "The election campaign has come closer, there
were not enough ears for factual arguments."
Lucie Dvorakova/Katerina Zachovalova
Minister of Interior Recalls Inspections Director
The fourth director of inspections, Vladimir Nechanicky, was fired
by the Czech Minister of the Interior Jan Ruml December 28. The reason
Ruml explained that, as his precedents, Nechanicky was guilty of
a serious breech in service duties. Vladimir Nechanicky says that
conflicts are centered around the fumbled police intervention at the
U Holubu restaurant in May. Natasa Hajkova/Katerina Zachovalova
News in Brief
* In his New Year's address, appealing to the morals of society,
President Vaclav Havel said, "I believe the necessity to bond all forces
in nuturing a better moral climate in the land is the most important
thing in the comming months and years." Newspaper headlines following
the address read: "Moral Climate Must Improve, Believes President"
(Denni telegraf); "President Believes Czech Society to be Mainly Lacking
Moral Dimensions" (Pravo); "New Year's Address: A Market Economy
Doesn't Mean Getting Rich at the Expense of Others" (Lidove noviny);
"President Havel: Freedom and Democracy Do Not Give Anyone the Right to
Threaten the Freedom and Lives of Others" (Svobodne slovo).
* The new Jesenik district (in North Moravia) is the 76th district in
the Czech Republic as of January 1.
* December 31 former Health Minister Ludek Rubas stepped down from his
position as advisor to the Minister of Health. He will continue as Civic
Democratic Party representative to Parliament, and pediatric surgeon.
* The policeman, who has been calling to threaten Vaclav Benda, the
director of the Office for the Documentation and Investigation of the
Crimes of Communism," and his family with death, was fired from the
police force. Unlike other police, he received no severence pay.
* Former state police (StB) leutenent Ludvik Zifcak, who had been
serving an 18-month sentence for abusing his authority as a public
official during the revolution, was released December 28 after serving
half of his sentence. The court put him on an 18-month probation.
* Following the recent skinhead attack of foreign students at Pacleck
University in Olomouc, police are strengthing patrols in town, and
students are preparing an anti-racism demonstration.
Lucie Dvorakova and Olga Huderova/Andrea Snyder
FROM SLOVAKIA
President Michal Kovac: The Year of Tolerance in Slovakia Was More
the Year of Retaliation
That was the headline for Slovak daily SME's January 2 story on the
president's New Year's address. Slovak President Michal Kovac said that
the present political situation has begun to seriously threaten the
position and mission of morality and profesional honor. He says that
party allegiance and loyality to powerful politicians has become more
important. Lida Truneckova/Katerina Zachovalova
ECONOMICS
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from 11.1.1996)
country currency
Australia 1 AUD 19.893
Belgium 100 BEF 90.384
Great Britain 1 GBP 41.355
Denmark 1 DKK 4.803
Finland 1 FIM 6.144
France 1 FRF 5.423
Ireland 1 IEP 42.687
Italy 1000 ITL 17.008
Japan 100 JPY 25.552
Canada 1 CAD 19.625
Luxemburg 100 LUF 90.384
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.584
Noway 1 NOK 4.222
New Zealand 1 NZD 17.601
Portugal 100 PTE 17.916
Austria 1 ATS 2.641
Greece 100 GRD 11.382
Slovakia 100 SKK 90,170
Germany 1 DEM 18.574
Spain 100 ESP 22.079
Sweden 1 SEK 4.096
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.996
USA 1 USD 26.745
ECU 1 XEU 34.535
IMF 1 XDR 39.453
CULTURE
In Spite of Czech Philharmony Hundreth Anniversary Celebration,Internal
Conflicts Abound
The Czech Philharmony celebrated its hundredth anniversary January
4, replaying the opening concert from 1896. Under the baton of two
conductors - Czech Jiri Belohlavek and German Gerd Albrecht, the
orchestra played The Third Rhapsody, The Biblical Chants, the overture
Othello and the New World symphony by Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak had
directed the concert one hundred years before. The Biblical Chants were
performed by Dagmar Peckova. Neither the Prime Minister, nor the
President attended the concert, which was at invitation only. Due to
intense public interest, the concert was re-performed in following days.
The gala evening brought only a short moment of peace to the five
year-long contention over the jurisdiction of the director and the head
conductor of the philharmony. Tuesday, January 9 Minister of Culture
Pavel Tigrid discussed his decision to ammend the Czech Philharmony's
statute with the orchestra members. The amendment, that should become
valid January 15, would pass the decision making juridiction into the
hands of the general director of the Czech Philharmony. DPH, a German
wire service, reported that Albrecht has resolved resign from his
function immediately after the orchestra's tour of Spain, which began
Wednesday finishes. Tigrig sais, however, that although he lost
confidence in Albrecht years ago, he wants to meet with the head
conductor once more.
Petr Ruttner directed "A Hundred Years in the Life of the Czech
Philharmony", a documentary to be shown on Czech Television January 1.
The movie does not refer to the conflicts of the past five years.
Klara Schirova/Klara Schirova
Castle Clothed in New Lights
Twenty new lights, situated to stress architechtonic features lit
the St.Vitus Cathedral in the Prague Castle for the first time
Wednesday, December 20. Frenchman Roger Glab, of the Rhems Centre
National Art et Technologie, designed the lighting that cost the Prague
Castle Administration and the Vaclav Havel Foundation for the
Development of the Prague Castle 12 million crowns. The new lighting was
introduced with an evening light show. Pictures depicting the history of
the cathedral and the country, were projected on a wall of the
Lichtenstein palace. Music was played throughout the projection and the
production ended with a laser show and fireworks.
50 other monuments in Prague are also illuminated by the flood
lights. The Public Lightning Administration uses about 1400 reflectors
and lights to stress architechtonic features. They are planning new
lightning for Charles Bridge in the near future.
Klara Schirova/Klara Schirova
Nativita - an Exhibition by Handicapped Girls
The fourth year of the Nativita 96 exhibition opened January 2 in
the Gallery of the Therapeutic Art in Prague. The exhibition presents
collection of the art works and ceramics created by mentally and
physically disabled girls from the Institute of the Social Care in
Cekanice u Blatne.
Thanks were expressed to all devoted employees who try to replace
that what is most important for the children - home.
The exhibition of pictures, engaging in their cheerful colors and
innocent will end January 21. Jitka Motejzikova-Klara Schirova
SPORTS
Javelin-thrower Zelezny the Best Sportsman of Czech republic in 1995
The Sportsman of the Year 1995 poll results were announced in
Prague's hotel Praha Wednesday, December 20. 1416 sports reporters voted
for Jan Zelezny, the Czech Republic's javelin-throwing olympic winner
and world champion, to receive the award for the second time. 1289 votes
gave second place to the best Czech ice-hockey player in NHL Jaromir
Jagr. 1045 votes put Radka Kovarikova and Rene Novotny, world champions
in amateur and professional pair ice skating. The journalists also
awarded the Czech team that played in the European Championship.
The sport staff of Carolina voted for the ice-skaters and the
soccer team. Jan Palicka/Katerina Zachovalova
Drulak Football Player of the Year
Radek Drulak, an offence player for the Drnovice team and the Czech
representation, was voted Football Player of the Year Wednesday,
December 27 in the Boby centre in Brno. The thirty-three year old was
followed by a trio of Sparta players - Petr Kouba, Martin Frydek and
Pavel Nedved. As expected, Dusan Uhrin of the representation was made
Coach of the Year. Ivo Ulich, a reserve player for the Hradec Kralove
team was voted Talent of the Year. Jan Palicka/Klara Schirova
Traditional Vltava Christmas Swim
Men and women gathered Tuesday, December 26 on Zofin Island in
Prague to immerse their bodies in the icey waters of the Vltava for the
Alfred Nikodem Memorial. Participants prepare all year for this 49-year
old tradition, building up a tolerance to freezing water. On the day of
the swim, water temperature was about three degrees Celsius and the
outside temperature oscilated around zero. Approximately 88 people,
including 16 women, took the dive. The oldest person was Ladislav Nicek
from Olomouc, born in 1913, who hasn't missed a Christmas swim for the
past 46 years. Jan Palicka/Klara Schirova
Extraleague Ice Hockey Results
Round 29: Sparta-Olomouc 4-1, Slavia-Kladno 4-2, Jihlava-Zlin 3-2,
Plzen-Litvinov 4-1, Vitkovice-Budejovice 4-3, Brno-Pardubice 0-4.
Round 30: Zlin-Jihlava 2-4, Olomouc-Sparta 3-4, Trinec-Vsetin 2-4,
Budejovice-Vitkovice 3-0, Kladno-Slavia 2-4, Pardubice-Brno 1-2,
Litvinov-Plzen 9-2.
Round 31: Pardubice-Trinec 4-5 p.p., Olomouc-Vsetin 5-3, Brno-Plzen
4-2, Vitkovice-Sparta 5-3, Jihlava-Litvinov 2-2, Kladno-Budejovice 1-1,
Slavia-Zlin 1-5.
Round 32: Budejovice-Kladno 8-2, Plzen-Brno 3-2, Litvinov-Jihlava 4-0,
Vsetin-Olomouc 2-4, Trinec-Pardubice 4-3 p.p., Zlin-Slavia 3-5,
Sparta-Vitkovice 2-5. Jan Palicka
Football in Brief
* Lubosh Kubik, who has played for the Slavia, Norimberk, Fiorentina,
Met and Lazni Bohdanec teams, will be hosting the first league's spring
season in Drnovice.
* Not having resolved financial conflicts with the Cheb town hall, the
SK Union Cheb team will be moving to Blsany. Jan Palicka/Arsen Kocarjan
WEATHER
Christmas was muddy, here in the Czech Republic. It only snowed in
the mountains.
December 22 icey roads caused a tragic 40-car pile-up near Humpolec
on the Prague-Brno highway. Two people were killed, and seven sustained
serious injury. Actor Petr Hanicinec from the Vinohrady
theater was also severely injured.
Early January brought us rain, which froze, leaving a dangerous
film of ice over everything. Olga Huderova/Arsen Kocarjan
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