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Carolina (English) No 247
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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: (+4202) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+4202) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 247, Friday, May 16, 1997.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (May 7 - 14)
President Pays Tribute to Victims of World War II
Commemorative ceremonies in the Czech Republic marking the end of
World War II culminated at the National Memorial on Zizka Hill in Prague
May 8. By placing flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, tribute
was paid to victims of the war by President Vaclav Havel, chairmen of
both houses of Parliament, Defense Minister Miloslav Vyborny, Prague
Mayor Jan Koukal and Czech Union of Freedom Fighters Chairman Jakub
Cermin, among others.
Honza Mazak/Mirek Langer
May Session of Lower House Begins
The 11th session of the Czech Parliament's lower house, the Chamber
of Deputies, began on the afternoon of started May 13. On the agenda
were the government's report on the state of the economy, debate on the
new Waste Management Act, and amendments relating to the Penal Code,
television and radio licence fees, tax laws and the Social Security Act,
including proposals for welfare as compensation for rent increases. The
Republicans and the Communists did not succeed with their proposal to
put confidence in the government to a vote, because they did not get the
necessary number of signatures for the proposal. The Social Democrats
refused again to sign the proposal.
Lucie Podesvova/Mirek Langer
Trade Minister Dlouhy Considers Resignation
Trade Minister Vladimir Dlouhy, vice chairman of the Civic
Democratic Alliance (ODA), announced he is contemplating leaving the
Cabinet, during the political debate program of TV NOVA "7 or Seven
Days" May 11. He cited fatigue from eight years of work in the
government and the feeling of partial responsibility for the economic
situation in the Czech Republic.
ODA Chairman Michael Zantovsky understands Dlouhy's possible
departure in the course of Cabinet restructuring as "taking inventory of
the government program declaration agreed upon by the coalition
parties." He made his statements to the press May 12 after the regular
meeting of the coalition party chairmen, the so-called "coalition
breakfast" in Kramar villa. At the same time, the ODA chairman rejected
the opinion that Dlouhy's prospective resignation would serve him as
a lever for his own advance into the Cabinet ranks. "I have already had
plenty of opportunities to join the Cabinet, and I could have used them
before if I had wished," argued Zantovsky.
Prime Minister and Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party Vaclav
Klaus admitted after the coalition breakfast that Dlouhy had mentioned
the idea of leaving the government three weeks ago. "I have understood,
and I still understand this idea as his personal contemplation, and not
as a immediate political decision," said Klaus.
Dlouhy remarked on published opinions by recalling the fact that he
had already announced his voluntary departure, planned for the end of
1997, last autumn. At the same time he emphasized he would leave his
ministerial post only within a context of overall Cabinet restructuring,
and not because of blame for the poor economic situation and demands for
his resignation.
Bohdana Rambouskova/Milan Smid
High State Attorney Koutny Resigns
Recently appointed Olomouc High State Attorney Jaroslav Koutny
resigned May 9. As a reason he cited the media campaign aroused by his
alleged involvement in political trials before the events of November
1989. Justice Minister Vlasta Parkanova, who appointed Koutny on the
recommendation of the Attorney General Vit Vesely, accepted Koutny's
resignation without comment.
Witnesses and court records indicated that in Koutny's former
position as Prostejov deputy prosecutor, he brought several people
before the court for distributing the anti-communist petition Several
Sentences. The case relates foremost to the late Jaroslav Honzirek, who
was sentenced to six weeks in prison for collecting signatures on the
petition. Koutny admits that he took part in the case, but he claims not
to recall any other political cases and said his conscience is clear. He
resigned, however, so that Parkanova would be able to examine the affair
without media pressure.
Karolina Cebrovska/Andrea Snyder
Kvapil Replaces Former Boss at Ministry
President Vaclav Havel named Tomas Kvapil minister of regional
development. Jaromir Schneider stepped down last week under pressure
from his party, the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL, see Carolina 245).
KDU-CSL Chairman and Agriculture Minister Josef Lux said Kvapil, who had
been a deputy at the ministry, had created the current Czech housing
policies. The KDU-CSL presidium and National Committee held a secret
ballot May 7 to decide the candidacy.
David Simonek/Andrea Snyder
Rail Strikes Illegal
The Prague City Court decided May 7 that the the five-day February
rail strike was illegal. Union attorneys immediately appealed the
decision, and may take the case to the Constitutional Court to prove
railroad employees had the right to stop transportation on the tracks.
Union leader Jaromir Dusek claims that Czech Railways will not have
to pay any strike losses even if the Constitutional Court reaches the
same verdict as the Municipal Court. "No damages exist which someone
could really prove," he said.
Marketa Kropacova/Andrea Snyder
The Strike In Motol Interrupted - Doctors Keep Negotiating
Prague-Motol Faculty Hospital doctors and nurses May 7 interrupted
their strike against the recent recalling of surgical clinic chief
doctor Josef Dvorak (see Carolina 245 and 246). Although the strikers'
main demands - instituting an independent commission to ascertain the
circumstances of Dvorak's recall, and the departure of two hospital
deputies - have not been met, they decided to interrupt the strike for
the following two weeks and to declare strike readiness. Beginning May
9, not only acute cases, but also patients whose surgery was put off
during the strike will be treated.
During the following two weeks, the hospital management wants to
find a compromise solution to the doctors' and nurses' demands. The
managers offered the recalled chief doctor an exclusive job May 7 at the
clinic, though they would not publicize the details of the offer.
Physicians' Union Club Chairman Dr. David Rath told daily MF DNES that
the proposal to send professor Dvorak to work in the USA had been
dropped and the position's salary could also be rather exclusive.
While most of the doctors and nurses favor a moderate form of the
strike, some unionists want a hardline approach. Unionists threatened
that the clinics will not provide insurance companies with necessary
information.
Simona Malkovska/Denisa Vitkova
Mass Firings to Affect Education System
About 10,000 teachers will likely have to leave their posts by
September, as a result of the recently approved economic recovery
package. The Education Ministry, however, proclaims it will not insist
on massive firings.
The Ministry of Education is going to decrease spending (as will
other ministries, see Carolina 243) by ending the practices of extra
paychecks, personal evaluations and small bonuses. "The decreasing of
finances in the state sector will not affect basic wages. Nominal wages
in education are expected to grow by almost 11 per cent this year,"
Deputy Education Minister Libor Svoboda said to the daily MF DNES May
10.
The Education Ministry increased the teaching load by two hours per
week in the economic package. Most grade-school teachers will thus have
to teach subjects outside their specialties. Music and art education,
together with home education and civics, will be affected most.
Bohdana Rambouskova/Magdalena Vanova
First Czech Judge Convicted of Corruption since 1989
Former judge Kvetoslava Krylova from Prerov set a record among
judges, being the first convicted of corruption since the events of
November 1989. The charges claim she gave a 100,000-crown bribe in
November 1995 to former prosecutor Karel Studeny from Prerov to
influence the prosecution of Zdenek Sevcik. Studeny informed police
about the bribe in advance, and when he received the envelope, police
found inside 100 1,000-crown bank notes. Krylova still claims she was
not giving a bribe, but merely mixed up envelopes; she said she thought
the envelope contained technical documentation. The court sentenced her
to 21 months, suspended, with probation for two years.
Lucie Podesvova/Ondra Provaznik
ECONOMY
IPB Case Continues
The case of the two top Investment and Postal Bank (IPB) bosses who
were arrested, Jiri Tesar and Libor Prochazka (see Carolina 246), has
taken a new turn after the police questioned Belgian businessman
Jean-Claude van Gansen May 9. Police charged Gansen with being an
accomplice in embezzlement in connection with the sale of the Army
Project Institution (VPU) to IPB.
Gansen voluntarily appeared for questioning after his return from
abroad, convinced that the case is a big misunderstanding. After an
eight-hour questioning in Prague, he said he explained the entire deal
to the police and that nothing should prevent the bank managers from
being released.
Gansen's attorney, Miloslav Jansta, added that the case was
a question of a professional failure by the individual who filed the
charges. Although Gansen was released, he is still under investigation.
The Czech press wrote May 13 that investigators wanted to release Tesar
and Prochazka, while not dropping the charges. However, the state
prosecutor vetoed their proposal.
Gaparov Batyrbek/Sofia Karakeva
Americans and CSA to Buy Aero Vodochody
On April 7 the Czech government decided to sell more than
one-third of the largest Czech aircraft factory - Aero Vodochody - to
a Czech-American consortium of Boeing, McDonnell Douglas and Czech
Airlines (CSA). Trade Minister Vladimir Dlouhy was given the task of
dealing with the consortium, which was chosen over the Czech company
Cimex Holding, known for its investment fund takeovers. The strategic
investor should help Aero, maker of L159 military trainer jets, to
survive and enter international ventures. The state will keep at least
a one-third share in the company, but is willing to decrease it if the
consortium fulfills its investment promises.
Milan Smid/Matej Cerny
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid from May 15)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 24.062
Belgium 100 BEF 87.890
Great Britain 1 GBP 50.634
Denmark 1 DKK 4.763
Finland 1 FIM 6.018
France 1 FRF 5.386
Ireland 1 IEP 46.964
Italia 1000 ITL 18.407
Japan 100 JPY 26.030
Canada 1 CAD 22.275
Luxembourg 100 LUF 87.890
Hungary 100 HUF 17.063
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.127
Norway 1 NOK 4.390
New Zealand 1 NZD 21.492
Poland 1 PLN 9.806
Portugal 100 PTE 18.063
Austria 1 ATS 2.577
Greece 100 GRD 11.371
Slovakia 100 SKK 93.155
Germany 1 DEM 18.141
Spain 100 ESP 21.491
Sweden 1 SEK 4.028
Switzerland 1 CHF 21.393
USA 1 USD 30.926
ECU 1 XEU 35.375
IMF 1 XDR 42.842
CULTURE
Prague Spring Music Festival Takes off
According to tradition, Bedrich Smetana's cycle of symphonic poems
My Country opened the 52nd Prague Spring International Music Festival
May 12. After a two-year break, the ceremony was again held in the
Smetana Hall of the newly renovated Municipal House (Obecni Dum) in
Prague (see Carolina 246).
The first piece was performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra
under the direction of Chief Conductor Gaetano Deloga.
More than 30 orchestras and chamber ensembles, 50 soloists and 20
conductors will take part in the three-week program of the festival. The
close of Prague Spring June 2 will be attended by some 50,000 listeners.
Bohdana Rambouskova/Matej Cerny
Book World 1997 Fair in Prague
From May 8-11 the third-annual international book fair Book World
took place at Prague's Fairgrounds. Numerous Czech and foreign
publishing companies exhibited at the fair; visitors had the chance to
see a number of exhibits, of course focused primarily on books and
photographs (e.g., World's Most Beautiful Children's Book, Czech Book of
'96, Photography '96, etc.)
The whole project was preceded by the Prague May Day Book Festival,
where the most successful publishers, book-sellers and authors of 1996
were presented with awards May 7 (Vladimir Paral received an award,
while poet Jiri Zacek was recognized for lifetime achievement). An
associated conference about information sources, INFOMEDIA 97, dealt
mainly with the electronic information trend and its use in public
libraries.
There were auctions May 10 of historic and contemporary graphic
arts, photographs, books, and rare manuscripts and signatures at the
fair. Collectors and second hand booksellers could obtain for instance
original prints from the beginning of the 16th century.
Fair visitors also had the chance to meet literary personalities
(e.g., Joseph Heller), there were autograph signings, professional
lectures and seminars about writers, the library trade and literature
development. This year, a privileged post belonged to Finland, which
presented the largest exhibit and delegation of cultural representatives
- among them Culture Minister Claes Andersson.
May 9-11, the Clementinum National Library allowed the public to
visit its historic rooms, on the occasion of the fair and the 220th
anniversary of the library's opening.
Simona Malkovska/Denisa Vitkova
Heller Visits Prague
Invited by the PEN Club and the American Cultural Center, author of
Catch 22 Joseph Heller arrived in Prague May 5. The American spent one
week in the Czech Republic. Although he arrived in order to spend his
vacation here, his schedule was rather demanding.
On May 11, Heller read extracts from his books and answered readers'
questions at the trade fair Book World 1997. He also gave lectures at
the Charles University College of Humanities in Prague and Palacky
University in Olomouc.
Heller first visited Prague two years ago. He said he was looking
forward to having Czech meals and beer.
Karolina Cebrovska/Jan Majer
Boss Has Dinner with Havels
American rock star Bruce Springsteen performed songs from his latest
album, The Ghost of Tom Joad, and other hits with only his guitar and
harmonica. His concert at Prague's Congress Center was sold out in
several hours. Czech rock fans saw the singer, nicknamed the Boss, who
arrived with his wife and no musicians on the acoustic tour, for the
first time May 11.
Springsteen said several sentences in Czech with almost perfect
pronunciation during the concert. In the middle of the concert President
Vaclav Havel and his wife Dagmar joined the audience. After the concert,
Springsteen had dinner with the first couple.
Marketa Kropacova/Jan Majer
Carmen in a New Dress
The National Theater presented the first night of the ballet Carmen
May 9. The characters of Carmen and Jose are brilliantly alternated
between ballet dancers Zuzana Parmova - Petr Zuzka and Tereza Podarilova
- Jiri Pokorny.
Alexander Schneider, German director and choreographer, allowed
himself to take no more than inspiration from the Prosper Merimee
novella and its classical music form by composer George Bisset. The most
famous arias of the opera appear only in the main solo scenes, while the
fast-paced musical accompaniment is more of a collage of jazz and other
popular styles. The story takes place in the present, and instead of
a toreador people condemn the leader of the police commandos, following
drug dealers. The director emphasized the tragic fate and betrayal of
the soldier Don Jose, whereas the figure of the gypsy Carmen is the
first cause of all events.
The ballet is interesting not only for its non-traditional form and
the simple stage, but especially for the glorious performance of the
Czech soloists.
Simona Malkovska/Ondra Provaznik
SPORT
Czech Hockey Takes Home World Championships Bronze Medal
When the Czechs beat the the Russians 4-3 at the ice hockey World
Championship in Finland May 10, they took third place, following up with
dignity on last year's gold. Jiri Dopita's goal during a last-minute
power play decided the game. Hundreds of fans flocked to Prague's Ruzyne
Airport to welcome their team home.
Bumping shoulders during the game was not enough for the Canadians
after the Czech Republic's 5-3 victory May 7; a fight broke out,
resulting in four players from each side being eliminated from the game,
which always carries an automatic suspension for the next game. Although
after a protest two Czechs were reinstated, but because of a slight
concussion Vujtek could not play anyway. So, when Vykoukal sustained an
injury in the third match with the Swedes, only 4 Czechs remained on
defense and 10 on offense. Jonsson placed the matches' only goal,
leaving the score 0-1 in the Swedes' favor. Canada eventually won the
championships, with the Swedish taking second place.
Honza Mazak/Andrea Snyder
Slavia and Sparta Match Wits in Soccer
The soccer season is drawing to an end, with three rounds left. Only
three teams can win the title, although for Jablonec to do so would mean
that the powerful Sparta squad would have to lose all of its games and
Jablonec would have to win its remaining contests. Slavia beat Ostrava
May 9 2-0, Liberec tied in Ceske Budejovice 1-1. Sparta defeated Teplice
1-0 over the weekend and Opava knocked out Drnovice 2-0. Karvina beat
Olomouc 2-1, Viktoria Zizkov tied Brno 1-1, and the Hradec Kralove
- Plzen game ended as it began, 0-0. The Bohemians lost in Jablonec
0-2. Sparta leads the league with three points more than Slavia.
Honza Mazak/Andrea Snyder
WEATHER
Although May 9 was cloudy with light thunderstorms, the rest of the
week approached us in the the guise of summer. All at once, everything
was blooming, people strapped on sandals and tourists crowded the
streets of Prague. Next week, temperatures should rise to 30 degrees
Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit. The threat of brief showers remains, but,
no worries, water runs through sandals in no time!
Bohdana Rambouskova/Andrea Snyder
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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