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Carolina (English) No 213
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STUDENTS' 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 213, Friday, August 16, 1996.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (August 2 - 14)
Zieleniec Sparks Discussion within ODS
Foreign Minister and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice-Chairman
Josef Zieleniec criticized certain elements within the country's
strongest political party in an interview printed August 5 in the
country's largest newspaper, MF DNES. The interview was presented under
the headline: "ODS should no longer have only one voice", and Zieleniec
commented in the article on June's parliamentary elections.
The interview provoked a sizeable reaction in the Czech media and
speculation about ODS internal conflicts. Robert Dengler, a commentator
for the daily Pravo, wrote that Zieleniec's appeals are, three months
before Senate elections, "utterly an expression of desperation over
(Prime Minister and ODS Chairman Vaclav) Klaus' stubbornness, which may
prove fatal for ODS."
After a summer hiatus the ODS Executive Council met August 12 and
labeled the interview a normal part of ODS policy discussion, which does
not mean a personal confrontation within ODS. At a press conference
where Zieleniec was also present, Klaus said, "It is important for us to
discuss (the post-election situation)." Klaus also expressed his
disagreement with some of Zieleniec's opinions, foremost rejecting the
possibility of the creation of ideological fractions within the party.
Justice Minister Fires Two Prosecutors
New Justice Minister and Civic Democratic Alliance Chairman Jan
Kalvoda August 9 recalled High State Attorney Libor Grygarek and Prague
State Attorney Josef Kredba. In the past the two attorneys had come into
conflict with one another, and both supervised the most serious criminal
cases, some of which had political overtones - e.g., the Jaroslav Lizner
case (see Carolina 136, 176, 188), the police raid at the U Holubu
restaurant (see Carolina 163, 173), or the prosecution of former
Communist leaders for treason (see Carloiina 169, 180-2). The recall of
Kredba, in his 60s, was not a surprise, but Grygarek was considered
a new and dynamic personality in Czech justice. Interior Minister Jan
Ruml expressed his disagreement with Grygarek's firing, and August 12 on
TV NOVA Ruml called Grygarek a very capable official and criticized
Kalvoda for not consulting with his coalition partners before the
firings.
The Government's First Meeting
After a summer vacation the cabinet August 14 held its first
regular meeting since receiving a vote of confidence from the new
Parliament. The government rejected the proposal of the neo-Fascist
Republicans to cut parliamentary deputies' pay in half, and rejected the
Communists' proposal to abolish the Senate. The Communists' proposal to
rewrite laws concerning party financing was also rejected, because the
cabinet is working on its own revision.
Ruzickova on Communist Ballot
Actress Helena Ruzickova accepted the offer of the Communist Party
of Bohemia and Moravia to appear on the party's ballot as a non-party
candidate in November's Senate elections. "I do not feel my decision is
something treasonous," said Ruzickova, known best for her roles in
numerous Czech film comedies and television serials. She explained the
reason for her decision by saying, "I took the Communists' offer because
they contacted me first."
Czech Savings Sells Share of TV NOVA
Czech Savings (Ceska sporitelna) is selling its share in the Czech
Independent Television Company, which handles the broadcasting of TV
NOVA, to the bank's partner, the American-owned Central European Media
Enterprises (CME), according to Czech reports taken from the Financial
Times. From its original 22 per cent share Czech Savings will keep 2 per
cent, while CME's share will grow to 86 per cent; the remaining 12 per
cent is owned by CET 21, which holds the broadcasting license (see
Carolina 212 for the question of the legal relationship between CET 21
and the Czech Independent Television Company).
A Czech Savings representative confirmed the Financial Times story,
including the 1 billion crown price for the 20 per cent share. It was
supposedly one of Czech Savings' most successful transactions.
Czech Drug Smuggler Sentenced in London
The Southwark Crown Court in London sentenced Tomas Honz, 27, a bus
driver for the Tinbus company in Liberec, to 26 years in prison August
2 for smuggling 50 kilograms/110 pounds of heroin, worth about 10
million English pounds. Honz was sentenced along with the three Turks
from London who were to receive the package.
ECONOMY
Statistics Office Adjusts Prognosis
Czech economic indicators will be somewhat lower than expected, the
Czech Statistical Office announced August 1 with the publication of
corrections to its April predictions. In April the Office predicted
1996 GDP growth of 5.4 per cent, while August's correction estimates
growth at 5.1 per cent. The trade deficit should reach 81 billion
crowns, i.e. about 5.7 per cent of GDP, foremost because of reduced
exports. Inflation will not fall to 8.7 per cent, as was predicted in
April, but should remain at 9 per cent. On the other hand, unemployment
should be lower than originally estimated, at 3 per cent instead of the
3.3 per cent prognosis.
The Office announced August 8 that July consumer prices rose 1 per
cent, creating the danger that annual inflation may be higher than the
predicted 9 per cent.
The Crash of Credit Bank
The Czech National Bank revoked Credit Bank's (Kreditni banka)
banking license August 7. The financial problems of Credit Bank, which
date to 1992, came to a head one month ago, when estimates of the banks'
losses were made public. In June the estimates ranged from 4 billion
crowns to 6 billion crowns, but today are believed to be 10 billion
crowns to 12 billion crowns, which would mean a Czech record for
business losses.
Bank clients will be returned deposits of up to 4 million crowns,
while the largest burden of the losses must be borne by Credit Bank's
majority owner, Czech Insurance (Ceska pojistovna), after the country's
largest banks, including the Czech National Bank, refused to help in the
rescue.
Some experts consider the bankruptcy of Credit Bank a chapter in
the fight for control of the nation's largest insurer, Czech Insurance,
which has 68 per cent of the insurance market. In December 1995 the PPF
investment group gained a 20 per cent share of Czech Insurance and spots
on the company's boards, PPF being known as the administrator of
billions of crowns of property gained in voucher privatization and
a large investor in Russia. The Investment and Postal Bank, which wanted
to increase its share in Czech Insurance by rescuing Credit Bank,
abandoned its plan and left the problems to PPF, which will soon become
the controling shareholder in Czech Insurance, according to a report in
daily MF DNES.
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid from August 16)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 20.823
Belgium 100 BEF 86.980
Great Britain 1 GBP 41.357
Denmark 1 DKK 4.636
Finland 1 FIM 5.969
France 1 FRF 5.246
Ireland 1 IEP 42.816
Italy 1000 ITL 17.568
Japan 100 JPY 24.678
Canada 1 CAD 19.399
Luxemburg 100 LUF 86.980
Netherlands 1 NLG 15.972
Norway 1 NOK 4.151
New Zealand 1 NZD 18.347
Portugal 100 PTE 17.473
Austria 1 ATS 2.548
Greece 100 GRD 11.285
Slovakia 100 SKK 87.920
Germany 1 DEM 17.924
Spain 100 ESP 21.147
Sweden 1 SEK 4.016
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.047
USA 1 USD 26.677
ECU 1 XEU 33.753
SDR 1 XDR 38.884
CULTURE
Czech Music Legend Dies
Rafael Kubelik, 82, conductor and composer, co-founder of the
Prague Spring music festival and former chief conductor of the Czech
Philharmonic, died August 11 in Lucerne, Switzerland. After the
Communist takover in February 1948 Kubelik decided to leave
Czechoslovakia. He returned home after 42 years when, in 1990, he
conducted the opening concert, Smetana's My Homeland, of the Prague
Spring festival once again. According to family wishes, Kubelik's
remains will be transferred to the Czech Republic, where the Ministry of
Culture offered to bury them in the Slavin National Cemetery at
Prague's Vysehrad.
American Soloist Attraction at Dvorak Music Festival
Soprano singer Renee Fleming, New York Metropolitan Opera soloist,
performed August 14 at the courtyard of Nelahozeves Castle where the
3rd annual Dvorak's Musical Summer Festival took place. The soprano
Fleming's repertoire includes the title role of the Dvorak opera
Rusalka, which she sings in Czech.
BRIEFS
* Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Prague August 11 to publicize his Planet
Hollywood restaurant, which should open on Prague's Na prikope street
this fall.
* Miki Volek, a Czech rock star from the 1960's, was found dead in his
Prague apartment August 14. Volek, 53, lived alone and evidently died
some days before being discovered, though police rule out foul play.
* Jana Robbova, one-time temperamental pop singer, died at age 46 in
Prague after a short illness. Robbova stopped singing in 1985.
SPORT
Final results of the Czech Republic in Atlanta (continued from Carolina
212)
The Czech Republic claimed 17th place in the medal count of the
1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta: 4 golds, 3 silvers, 4 bronzes.
Gold medals:
Jan Zelezny - track and field: javelin 88.16 m
Martin Doktor - track canoeing: C-1, 500 m
Martin Doktor - track canoeing: C-1, 1000 m
Stepanka Hilgertova - rapids canoeing: K-1
Silver medals:
Lukas Pollert - rapid canoeing: C-1
Jiri Rohan/Miroslav Simek - rapids canoeing doubles: C2
Jana Novotna/Helena Sukova - tennis, women's doubles
Bronze medals:
Sarka Kasparkova - track and field: triple-jump 14.98 m
Tomas Dvorak - track and field: decathlon 8,664 points
Miroslav Janus - shooting: running target 678.4 points
Jana Novotna - tennis, women's singles
Zelezny Defeated for First Time in 1996
Jan Zelezny, Atlanta gold medalist, finished only fifth at 86
meters at the first important post-Olympic track and field event, in
Monte Carlo August 10. After his first 1996 defeat Zelezny canceled his
appearances in the next two big track and field meets, in Zurich and
Lahti, due to a minor arm injury.
Dream about Champions League Disappears
Slavia Praha, the 1995-6 Czech soccer champion, was defeated by the
Swiss champ Grasshopper Zurich 5-0 in qualification for the Champions
League in Zurich August 7. Slavia has practically lost the chance to
advance into the most prestigious team soccer competition in Europe,
even before the return match in Prague.
Czech Soccer League Starts Again
Results of the 1st round August 9-12: Jablonec - Hradec Kralove
2-0, Drnovice - Karvina 4-0, Liberec - Olomouc 1-1, Plzen - Teplice
1-1, Bohemians - Ceske Budejovice 1-1, Ostrava - Zizkov 3-0, Slavia
- Opava 1-1, Boby Brno - Sparta 2-1.
WEATHER
Very erratic, temperatures of 18 degrees to 24 degrees Celsius/64
degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When the sun shines, it's summer, but
there probably hasn't been one day in August when it didn't rain. Those
who pick mushrooms praise the weather highly.
Today's Carolina was written by Milan Smid.
English version was edited by Michael Bluhm.
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