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Carolina (English) No 228A
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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 228, Friday, December 20, 1996.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (December 11-18)
Kalvoda Resigns over Title
Jan Kalvoda's resignation from Parliament and the government shocked
the nation December 17. The former minister of justice, vice-chairman of
the government and Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) chairman, announced
that his departure was due to his unauthorized use of the title juris
doctor, or doctor of law. Although Kalvoda graduated from Charles
University's School of Law, he did not apply for the rigorous exam that
would have authorized his use of the Czech title JUDr.
"I do not like to be a continuation in this series (see Titlemania
Continues below), but that is how it is. The title JUDr. does not belong
to me. I allowed it to be attached to me, something I consider to be my
mistake," said Kalvoda. Confusion reigned in Parliament after his
announcement. Jan Kasal, who was chairing the session, immediately
closed it, and the deputies left for their separate parliamentary clubs.
Members of the government were also surprised when Kalvoda told them
of his decision just a few minutes before his announcement in
Parliament. "It was a huge shock, we all had to have a shot of whiskey,"
said Deputy Prime Minister Josef Lux of the Christian Democrats, in
response to his colleague's resignation.
Kalvoda personally delivered his letter to the Office of the
Government and visited President Vaclav Havel's sickbed. Although the
president invited him to reconsider his resignation, the prime minister
had already officially sent it to the President's Office, and as in such
cases, according to constitutional law, the president must accept it.
Kalvoda remains ODA chairman until the party congress in the spring.
Zdenek Janda/Andrea Snyder
Former Czech Prime Minister Heads Senate
It was only after the second round of secret voting at the Czech
Senate's first session that Petr Pithart of the Christian Democrats was
voted in as Senate leader December 18. Czech prime minister in the
Czechoslovak Federal Republic from 1990 to 1992, Pithart received 39 of
81 votes in the first round, two short of the necessary majority.
In the second round, 13 of his own party supported him, along with
25 Social Democrats. Union leader Richard Falbr, who was elected as an
independent, had also openly supported Pithart. The two remaining votes
must have been cast by members of the ruling Civic Democratic Party, the
Civic Democratic Alliance and/or the Communists, all of whom had
publicly contended that Pithart was unacceptable for the position.
In his acceptance speech, Pithart said he plans to patiently and
carefully listen to all opinions, and to be impartial. He also expressed
wishes for an active Senate, saying that the new body should not just
wait for laws from Parliament, but act on its own initiative, mentioning
also the "immorally broad immunity of Senators and members of
Parliament".
The newly elected Senators were sworn in by their oldest colleague,
Jaroslav Musial of the Social Democrats, who presided over the session.
Ondra Provaznik/Andrea Snyder
Havel's Illness Receding
After three weeks in the hospital, President Vaclav Havel spent his
first weekend without a fever. His condition has been slowly getting
better for a few days, and Havel wrote a two-page note December 15 to
thank people for their concern about his health.
The president's convalescence from serious surgery December 2, when
doctors removed a malignant tumor and half his right lung, was been
complicated by pneumonia December 7. After that, he was given
antibiotics and a respiratory apparatus to support his breathing. Also
the medical team taking care of President was expanded to 12 members,
and American expert Robert Ginsberg from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center of New York came for a two-day consultation.
Connected to Havel's illness, his office also confirmed an intimate
relationship between the president and an actress Dagmar Veskrnova.
Presidential press spokesman Ladislav Spacek said, while subbing for
Havel in Havel's weekly radio program, "Mr. president's girlfriend Dasa
Veskrnova has played a very important role in caring for the condition
of Mr. president's spirit."
Matej Cerny/Denisa Vitkova
Titlemania Continues
Even before Jan Kalvoda's resignation sent shock waves throughout
the country, Pavla Jurkova of the Christian Democrats renounced her
parliamentary mandate for using the title juris doctor without meeting
its qualifications. Like Kalvoda, she graduated from Charles
University's School of Law, but did not complete the final exam.
Following a formal suggestion by the Republicans, Parliament's
organizational committee will check all members' academic titles.
After the disclosure that Parliament deputy Marie Noveska of the
Social Democrats was affixing the title to her name without having
finished her legal studies (see Carolina 227), two more pretenders were
discovered. Ondrej Zemina and Anna Roschova, both of the Civic
Democratic Party, were also accused of using the distinction without the
necessary qualifications. Zemina's assumed title figured on the official
list of Parliament deputies during the June elections, as well as in ODS
brochures. The same brochures also list Roschova as a Doctor of Law, but
the new list of Parliament members shows her as the recipient of
a Masters' degree, which she had not earned, either. Although the juris
doctor does not belong to either Roschova or Zemina, both finished law
school. Both claim the use of the title was a mistake made either in the
offices of Parliament or by the editors of the printed materials.
Jaroslav Schovanec/Andrea Snyder
Government Pushes through Budget
On December 13 the government succeeded in getting its 1997 state
budget proposal passed in Parliament, where the opposition has
a majority (101 deputies to 99 deputies for the coalition).
Surprisingly, the issue was decided by the votes of two opposition
Social Democrat deputies. Ninety-nine of 196 Parliament members voted
for the budget (which forecasts incomes and expenses of 549 billion
crowns) - among them the Social Democrats Jozef Wagner and Tomas Teplik.
While Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus did not conceal his satisfaction,
Social Democratic Party Chairman Milos Zeman sharply denounced these two
Parliament members' votes: "A deputy who acts against his party's
program should not be a member."
Before the voting, there was a discussion on many alternative
proposals, the most substantial of which was brought up by the Social
Democrats. Zeman was to support the budget only if it included an
increase in teachers' wages. School unions have threatened a strike on
January 28 if the government does not officially promise increased wages
of 18.9 per cent. This, like most of other proposals, was rejected.
However, one day before the vote, it was not sure whether the
coalition would votes together. The Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA)
declared it would agree with the budget only with tax decreases and
deregulation of rents and energy prices, (see Carolina 226), and ODA
ministers were ready to resign if this requirement was not met. Other
coalition members refused these demands and considered them improper
pressure since similar formulations were included in the coalition
agreement. After the coalition parties' official declaration that they
are to continue in economic transformation and to deregulate energy,
heat and rent prices gradually by the first half of the year 2000, and
they are not to use a possible budget surplus for other purposes than
for decreasing taxes, ODA decided to support the budget.
David Simonik/Denisa Vitkova
Social Democrat Central Committee Expels Wagner and Teplik
The Social Democrats no longer have a majority in Parliament after
the central committee expelled Jozef Wagner and Tomas Teplik from their
party December 14. The expulsion followed their vote on favor of the
1997 state budget proposed by the coalition. They were also requested to
give up their mandates.
According to party Chairman Milos Zeman, the party cannot count on
the representatives who not only supported the government project but
also voted against all alternative proposals submitted by their party
colleagues. This was flatly refused by Teplik: "I was supporting the
important things, like raising teacher's wages," while only Wagner
actually voted against all the proposals. Both claimed they personally
remain Social Democrats. It was necessary, as Wagner said, to support
the budget to avoid unstability and the alternatives, like raising
teachers' wages, would have been only nonsystematic measures.
David Simonik/Magdalena Vanova
Buzkova Baby Born
Parliament's Deputy Chairwoman Petra Buzkova of the opposition
Social Democrats became a mother December 17. Her daughter Anicka
measures 52 cm/20.5 inches and weighs 3.75 kg/8.25 pounds. The baby's
surname is after her father, Josef Kotrba. Kotrba is an economist, and
a member of coalition-member the Civic Democratic Alliance.
Lida Truneckova/Andrea Snyder
FROM SLOVAKIA
Slovak President Addresses Empty Room on Slovak Nation
Slovak President Michal Kovac spoke in the Slovak National Assembly
December 11 session on the state of the nation in Slovakia. Only
opposition deputies and Assembly Chairman Ivan Gasparovic of the ruling
Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and Chairman of the Mandate
Committee Antonin Poliak of the coalition United Workers' Party stayed
to listen. The other deputies of the ruling coalition left the room
before the president's speech.
Although the president expressed satisfaction over the country's
economic growth, he was very critical of the internal political
situation in Slovakia. He also addressed the case of former HZDS deputy
Frantisek Gaulieder, whose parliamentary mandate was unconstitutionally
taken away.
Foreign viewers called the exit of the ruling party disrespectful to
the head of state, unlike anything anywhere else in the world.
From SME, Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder
Meciar Considering Changes in 1998 Election Dates
Slovak Premier and Chairman of the Slovakia's ruling party, Vladimir
Meciar has speculated on changing the October 1998 national elections.
He says that in its current form, Parliament will not be able to elect
a new president. President Michal Kovac's term ends in March 1998.
Meciar has proposed national elections in June 1998 or changing the
dates of the November local elections in 1998.
The opposition is considering proposing direct election of the
president, which could be advantageous to the current head of state.
Kovac is supported by roughly half of the voting population. Meciar
refuses similar proposals.
From SME, Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder
NEWS IN BRIEF
* Slovak Parliament passed an unpopular amendment to the Penal Code
December 17, enabling imprisonment of someone who organizes mass
demonstrations which threaten to subvert the state.
* Vice-President Pavol Bezak of CEBO Holding Slovakia Partizanske was
murdered. This is the second CEBO-related killing, apparently due to the
firm's high debts.
* All 3,000 copies were swept up at an autograph-signing session for
the book Meciar and Meciarism December 14.
Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder
ECONOMY
Czech and Slovak Leaders Discuss Import Quotas in Dublin
Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and Slovak Premier Vladimir Meciar
met December 14 in Dublin, Ireland at an EU summit meeting. They spoke
about import quotas for Czech agricultural goods, which Bratislava wants
to implement January 1.
Klaus said that introducing the quotas violates the Central European
Free Trade Agreement and the Czech-Slovak tariff union. Meciar says
problems arise from over-production. The statesmen decided that Czech
and Slovak finance ministers will discuss the problem.
Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder
COMPANIES AND MARKETS
* No great changes were noted last week, after December 18, the PX 50
index was at 522.1 points. Trading on the quoted market was at more than
100 million crowns, one-fifth of which was trading of investment fund
SPIF Cesky.
* Pilsen (Plzen) liquor producer Stock's sales are rising. December
12 180,000 liters were sold, 60 per cent of which were Fernet. Eleven
million liters of the bitter liquor should be sold this year, as
compared to 2.7 million liters sold in 1990.
* The Motokov trading company will try to take 80 per cent of the
Zetor tractor company's share from the Consolidation Bank (Konsolidacni
banka). Motokov owns the FINOP concern, an umbrella company for foreign
trading companies now controlled by the Czechoslovak Trade Bank
(Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka). Motokov International, a Motokov
subsidiary, will handle most of Zetor's export activities.
* The Czech Central Bank implemented forced administration on one of
the country's largest crown funds - the Litomerice Czech National
Investment Company, due to the loss of investors'deposits worth 1.7
billion crowns. Other administrative changes are being made at the
Agrobanka II investment fund, which damaged its shareholders, for
example by purchasing so many of Credit Bank Pilsen's (Kreditni banka
Plzen) worthless shares.
* The Czech company Spolchemie's bid for 55 per cent of Bulgaria's
Orgachim was rejected.
Martin Cermak/Andrea Snyder
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid from December 19)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Great Britain 1 GBP 45.910
France 1 FRF 5.234
Japan 100 JPY 24.174
Canada 1 CAD 20.104
Austria 1 ATS 2.514
Slovakia 100 SKK 86.483
Germany 1 DEM 17.693
Switzerland 1 CHF 20.686
USA 1 USD 27.445
ECU 1 XEU 34.080
IMF 1 XDR 39.517
CULTURE
Czech Nightingales: Lucie Bila, Karel Gott and Olympic
Results of the Czech Nightingale public poll for the most popular
Czech singers and musicians were announced at Prague's Karlin Musical
Theater December 14. The organizers - Czech magazines Flowers (Kvety)
and Young World (Mlady svet), renewed the tradition of the "Golden
Nightingale," abandoned after 1990 as a relic of the Communist era. The
1996 winners were Karel Gott as best male singer, Lucie Bila as best
female singer and, in the rock group category, Olympic.
A record number of 137,000 people sent their votes, while Gott won
for the 23rd time. Female winner Lucie Bila is a generation younger than
Gott, and won for the first time. The most popular group, at least
according to this poll, Olympic has been at it since the 60's, although
the younger generation has its own idols now, like the pop groups Buty
and Lucie, which placed second and third, respectively.
The musicians, giving their speeches at the presentation of the
prizes of Czech glass and Czech garnet, sent their regards and wishes
for a quick recovery to President Vaclav Havel.
Jaroslav Schovanec/Jan Majer
American Rock'n'Roll Legend Kiss Meets with Great Success
Members of legendary glam-rock group Kiss performed their show at
the sold-old Prague Sport Hall twice, December 14-5. Kiss played their
biggest hits and, after resounding applause, ended the concert with
their most famous anthem, Rock'n'Roll All Nite.
At the end of both concerts, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley declared
Prague the capital of Rock'n'Roll. No wonder, the group never was
allowed to come or to be broadcast in Communist Czechoslovakia and their
fans still adore their black-and-white-painted image. Both concerts had
the biggest attendance of all Kiss concerts in Europe.
Matej Cerny/Jan Majer
New Biographies of Czech Actors Marvan and Kopecky
The life stories of famed Czech actors Milos Kopecky and Jaroslav
Marvan were issued by Eminent Publishers earlier this month. The first
book is called Milos Kopecky: Me, the second is titled The Private Life
of Jaroslav Marvan.
Pavel Kovar arranged Kopecky's posthumous biography from Kopecky's
diary, tapes, notes, scraps and correspondence, with the help of the
actor's fourth wife, Jana. Kopecky freely writes about his love affairs
with prostitutes, the life of a son from a mixed Jewish family during
World War II, his relationships with politicians and his serious health
problems.
Marvan's niece Jarmila Nova had difficulties with The Private Life
of Jaroslav Marvanova in gathering his writings, but she compensated
with her own recollections and those of her mother. With her husband
Peter she wrote a monograph which differs from other books about Marvan
foremost in its efforts at an unbiased, open look at the life of
a famous actor. "Information about his fees for film roles appear here,
we reprinted the drastic document about Marvan's death, records of
marital spats. We don't ignore the fact that he drank, but at the same
time we explain why he drank," said Nova. She claims Marvan was
a "workaholic" (he acted in more than 200 films) and to a certain extent
became a victim of the political atmosphere of his time.
Jiri Kuchar Publishers is preparing for 1997 another book about
Kopecky, in which they plan to publish correspondence between Kopecky
and Lubomir Strougal, Communist prime minister during the normalization
of the 70's and 80's, as well as correspondence with Alois Indra, who
served as chairman of Parliament during normalization.
Magdalena Vanova/Magdalena Vanova
Nativity Scenes Visit Hradec Kralove during Advent
About 280 nativity scenes, paintings on glass, postcards and stamps
(all with nativity scene motifs) can be found during the second
International Nativity Scene Exhibition at the Pastoral Center in Hradec
Kralove from December 3 till January 20.
After the last event, which took place two years ago and was
visited by an admirable 60,000 people, the organizers - the Czech
Alliance of Nativity-Scene Friends - are trying to raise the quality of
this year's exhibition by borrowing more valuable pieces. Thanks to
a year-long search, Vladimir Vaclik, the commissary of the exhibit, has
prepared a display of the most valuable items which can be found in
nativity-scene art on Czech territory.
The most valuable piece from a historical point of view is
a nativity scene made by members of the Jesuit Society, originating from
the 18th century. It is the only one of its kind (the dissolving of the
Jesuit Society in 1773 brought about the destruction of many of its
religious artworks).
The biggest piece occupies a 10-square-meter/32.5-square-foot
space, a painted nativity scene including 600 figures from the 19th
century. Its installation lasted about 20 hours.
There are also foreign pieces - among them ones from Japan, Alaska,
Korea and Africa.
Optimistic organizers count on a large number of visitors this
year, also. Preparations for the next exhibit, which will take place two
years from now at the same place and during the same time, have started
already.
Pavel Novak/Katerina Zachovalova
SPORT
Canoeist Martin Doktor Named Czech Sportsman of the Year
Two-time Olympic champion in Atlanta, canoeist Martin Doktor was
voted the 1996 top Czech athlete by the Sport Journalists Club. He
defeated two-time Olympic champion (Barcelona, Atlanta) and javelin
world-record holder Jan Zelezny, who had already won the crystal crown
for top sportsman twice - in 1993 and 1995.
Another Atlanta winner, slalom-canoeist Stepanka Hilgertova,
finished third. So many successful Olympians filled the first 10 places
that only hockey player Jaromir Jagr and soccer player Karel Poborsky
managed to get among them.
The country's soccer squad, European Championships silver-medalists
from England, were voted the top team. After them, the Czech hockey
representation, world champions from Vienna, finished second and the
UEFA Cup semifinalist Slavia Praha finished third.
Stefan Danko, winner of the Paralympic Games in Atlanta in javelin,
got the crystal crown for the best handicapped sportsman.
The Top 10 Sportsmen of the Czech Republic: 1. MARTIN DOKTOR (canoe
- sprint, two gold Olympic medals from 500 meters and 1,000 meters), 2.
JAN ZELEZNY (track and field - javelin, Olympic gold medal and world
record), 3. STEPANKA HILGERTOVA (kayak - slalom, Olympic gold medal),
4. JANA NOVOTNA (tennis, Olympic silver from singles and bronze from
doubles, world's third-ranked female player), 5. TOMAS DVORAK (track and
field - decathlon, Olympic bronze medal and European indoor
championships silver medal), 6. JAROMIR JAGR (hockey, the N.H.L.'s best
right wing, probably), 7. LUKAS POLLERT (canoe - slalom, Olympic silver
medal), 8. SARKA KASPARKOVA (track and field - triple jump, Olympic
bronze medal and European indoor championships silver medal), 9. KAREL
POBORSKY (soccer, European championships silver medal), 10. MIROSLAV
SIMEK, JIRI ROHAN (canoe - slalom, Olympic silver medal).
Zdenek Janda/Mirek Langer
Ski-Jumping World Cup Competition Weekend in Harrachov
The December 14 World Cup competition belonged to Japanese ski
jumpers - Funaki did not only gain take first place, but he also broke
the Harrachov ski-jump record (141.5 meters). Two other Japanese
jumpers, Okabe and Saitoh, ended up behind the Slovenian Peterka, who
garnered second place.
Peterka then won the final December 15 competition, defeating
Austria's Goldberger and Norway's Brenden.
The new generation of Czech athletes finally made it to the front of
the ski-jumping charts on this windy and snowy ski-jump. The leading
ones are Jakub Suchacek (7th Saturday, 13th Sunday) and Robert Krenek
(14th Saturday, 8th Sunday). Also, Jaroslav Sakala, who fights problems
with take-off, climbed to the 10th position Sunday after being 47th the
day before. There is hope the Czech ski-jumping tradition will not lose
its good reputation, especially thanks to its new faces.
Honza Mazak/Katerina Zachovalova
Czechs Win Five Medals in European Swimming Winter Championships
Thanks mainly to women, Czech swimmers got two golds, one silver and
two bronzes in the European Championships in the 25-meter pool in
Germany's Rostock.
Pivonkova (200-meter breaststroke) and Kynerova (400-meter
freestyle) became champions, Pivonkova then got one silver in the
100-meter breaststroke. Malek (50-meter breaststroke) and Chrastova
(400-meter individual medley) got bronzes. The championships also
brought seven new Czech records.
Honza Mazak/Mirek Langer
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Katerina Neumannova finished fourth in the cross-country World Cup
15 kilometers freestyle in Brusson, Italy December 14.
* Radka Kovarikova and Rene Novotny, the best Czech figure-skating
couple, did not defend their 1996 title and finished third in the World
Professional Championships in Landover in the U.S.A.
* Winners of the Czech Republic Figure Skating Championships in Usti
nad Labem: Men: Nekola, women: Kulovana, ice dancing: Vondrkova, Kral.
They all qualify for the European Championships in Paris, where Mrazova
and Simecek (they did not compete in Usti because of injury) will also
go.
Honza Mazak/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Predicting Weather in Slovak Legislature for 1997
Situation - A cold front from the West has been sweeping Slovakia,
followed by an increase in public opinion pressure.
Prediction through June, 1997 - Clouds and murky skies roll in,
especially over the governing coalition. A weak rain will fall in the
lower ranks, becoming hail at higher altitudes, for example in the Blue
Alliance. A light breeze from the East will strenghthen the cold front
from the West. In the southwest, we can expect thunder (anger of V.M.).
Bad conditions for dissolution. Frost from the Kremlin.
Prediction for June-December, 1997 - The high pressure of public opinion
will bring nice sunny weather. The sky will clear at higher levels, like
the Blue Alliance. Conditions for the thaw will be good, small coalition
parties will melt among the opposition. The sun will shine again in
Bratislava for the first time in three years.
Happy holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Slovak
Department of Carolina from Jan Potucek
The Carolina staff wishes all our readers Happy Holidays, a Merry
Christmas amd a Happy New Year. We look forward to your interest in our
first 1997 edition January 10.
English version edited by Michael Bluhm
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ANNOUNCING: The International Study Program of the Faculty of Social
Sciences. Beginning in February 1997, a one-semester English-language
program will be offered twice a year in Central and Eastern European
Studies, with a selection of courses in modern history and recent
political and economic developments in the region. Some courses are also
available in German. For further information contact Cyril Simsa at:
E-mail-- svoz@mbox.fsv.cuni.cz
Phone-- 42/2/2481 0804
Fax-- 42/2/2481 0987
When e-mailing, please include a regular mailing address so an
information packet can be sent without delay.
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