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Carolina (English) No 291
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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 291, Friday, May 29, 1998.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (May 20-27) IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
ODS-Freedom Union Tension Becoming Open Conflict
Jan Ruml, chairman of the Freedom Union, verbally attacked May 24
former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, from whose Civic Democratic Party
(ODS) the founders of the Freedom Union fled after revelations about
illegal ODS financing. ODS Senator Vaclav Benda immediately denied
Ruml's accusations that Benda was in charge of luring back Union
members. The incident occurred as polls show ODS' preferences increasing
to nearly 15 per cent, while Freedom Union support has decreased almost
by half.
Former Labor and Interior Minister Jindrich Vodicka, who left ODS
for the Freedom Union and is now independent, wants to return to ODS,
the Czech press reported. The Freedom Union called it an attempt to
regain a position in a future government and accused ODS of promising
positions for party membership. One deputy minister who rejected ODS'
overtures confirmed the approach on Czech Television, while another, who
had joined, said Benda had explained that "it's always good to belong
somewhere."
The conflict took place after ODS members said they would not leave
their party for Freedom Union. Among them are Hana Marvanova and others,
who authored a document criticizing Freedom Union party leadership for
using the ODS' financial scandal as a chance to enhance their personal
careers without acknowledging their responsibility for the problems. The
Freedom Union calls their criticism the sour grapes of old politicians
who were given poor positions on the new ODS ballot.
Freedom Union Vice Chairman and sociologist Petr Mateju, who is one
of the new faces on the political scene, asked deputy Milan Uhde to
leave the party, because Uhde wrote communist poems in the 1950's, after
the fall of Communism became chairman of Parliament from 1992-96 and
said he would always go for Klaus' beers, then joined the Freedom Union
and became its vice chairman, and now criticizes the party. Ruml rebuked
Mateju, and said that his nerves must have frayed. Ruml then accused
Vodicka of excessive alcohol consumption. After Vodicka criticized the
Union's close ties with President Vaclav Havel and former Foreign
Minister Josef Zielienec, Ruml said, "Was Mr. Vodicka sober when he said
that? There are some times when he doesn't know what he's saying."
Ondrej Drabek, Lida Truneckova/Andrea Snyder
ODS Rising in Polls
Sofres-Factum, a public opinion polling agency, released results
May 26 showing the Social Democrats would win parliamentary elections
with 26.3 per cent of the vote. According to the 1,973-person poll, the
Civic Democratic Party (ODS) would come in second with 14.8 per cent.
Czech daily MF DNES reported ODS had gained 5 per cent in voter
preferences over the past three months. The Retirees for Life Security
are in third place with 10.8 per cent of the vote, and might join the
Social Democrats in a coalition. The Communists follow with 8 per cent,
the Freedom Union with 7.2 per cent, the neo-Fascist Republicans with
6.4 per cent and the Christian Democrats with 5.4 per cent.
Gabriela Pecicova/Andrea Snyder
Social Democrats Make Empty Gesture against Finance Minister Ivan Pilip
An undermanned Parliament May 22 approved a proposal to ask Prime
Minister Josef Tosovsky to propose the recall of the Freedom Union's
Ivan Pilip, Finance Minister and National Property Fund presidium
chairman, to President Vaclav Havel. Parliament approved the proposal
during discussion on privatization and deregulation. The step was seen
as mere posturing, with elections in three weeks, on June 19-20, and
Tosovsky rejected the proposal May 27. Social Democrat deputy Stanislav
Gross authored the proposal, said Libor Roucek, spokesman for the Czech
Social Democrat Party (CSSD). Of the 130 deputies present, 68 voted for
the proposal. Many of the 70 who were missing were at election rallies.
Members of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), to which Pilip
belonged before he helped found the Freedom Union last winter, supported
the finance minister. "All of our deputies were against (the recall
proposal). The proposal passed because many deputies from the former
government coalition were absent, especially those from the Freedom
Union," said leading ODS deputy Vlastimil Tlusty.
Pilip called Parliament's decision a meaningless pre-election
gesture. He said the step lessons confidence in the Czech Republic
abroad. Investors may lose faith that economic transformation will
continue after the elections, he said.
Ajla Zinhasovic/Andrea Snyder
Former Finance Minister Kocarnik Not to Be Investigated
Parliament did not approve stripping former Finance Minister Ivan
Kocarnik of his parliamentary immunity after a City of Prague
investigation team requested an investigation. Police evidence shows
that Kocarnik broke the law when he signed a 4.1 billion crown state
guarantee for the Czech Savings Bank (Ceska sporitelna). Kocarnik will
never be forced to appear in court over the issue.
Kocarnik's party, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), was against
stripping Kocarnik's immunity. The party said Kocarnik saved millions of
depositors' savings and protected the state's property. Most Freedom
Union deputies were against releasing Kocarnik. The Social Democrats,
Communists and Christian Democrats pushed for the removal of his
immunity. The neo-fascist Republicans did not vote on the measure.
Ludvik Pospisil/Andrea Snyder
Parliament Approves New Laws, Including Freedom of Information Act
The Chamber of Deputies adopted amendments to the Inheritance,
Donation and Property Sales Tax Act May 21. The amendments abolish
paying inheritance taxes for direct descendants.
Deputies also approved a Freedom of Information Act. According to
the law, everyone has the right to request information from public and
other offices which "deal with the rights and responsibilities of
citizens and corporations," as long the information released does not
violate regulations on personal data, intellectual property,
confidential information or trade secrets. The law also requires certain
institutions to publish annual reports about their activities.
Deputies agreed on amendments to the Penal Code and the Bill of
Rights which double the time of detention possible before charges are
filed to 48 hours.
According to amendments to the Banking Act, bank regulators will
have the right to prevent banks' shareholders from exercising their
shareholder rights if they acquired their shares without the approval of
the Czech National Bank or if they are seriously endangering the bank's
status. The Chamber of Deputies also raised compensation from insured
deposits from 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the deposit.
Deputies adopted a Protection of Classified Information Act which
outlines how to deal with confidential information and is extremely
important for the Czech Republic's integration into NATO.
Ludvik Pospisil/Matej Cerny
NEWS IN BRIEF
* About 5,500 farmers demonstrated May 21 on Prague's Old Town Square,
demanding a better standard of living, lower taxes and changes in the
activities of the Market Regulation Fund, which provides subsidies.
* The anti-drug operation Canal, launched in 1991 with the aim of
paralyzing the Czech branch of the British-Turkish gang of heroin
dealers, was successfully completed May 26. During the operation foreign
and domestic investigators seized 470 kilos of heroin and arrested 12
people, including the leader of Czech organization.
* Head of Czech Television's (CT) news department Ivan Kytka resigned
May 20. CT's public-affairs programming and political news were, after
the April 1 arrival of Kytka and new CT General Director Jakub
Puchalsky, criticized "for a lack of creativity and the inability to
compete with private TV channels," according to the Czech daily Pravo
May 22. The new head of the news department is 31-year-old Zdenek Samal,
who used to work as a CT's correspondent in Moscow. All three men
graduated from Charles University's School of Journalism in Prague.
Gabriela Pecic/Gabriela Pecic
FROM SLOVAKIA
New Election Act Weakens Opposition
The Slovak government coalition pushed through a law nearly four
months before the elections which forces all parties, even those in an
election coalition, to gain at least 5 per cent of the vote in order for
the coalition or the party to earn seats in the National Assembly. This
law seriously curtails the chances of the united opposition block of the
Slovak Democratic Coalition to win the elections. Of the five parties in
the coalition, two of them realistically actually have the chance to
pass the five-per-cent barrier: the Christian Democratic Movement and
the Democratic Union. The Social Democrats, the Greens and the
Democratic Party do not have the same prospects. According to analysts,
the election favorite has again become the ruling Movement for
a Democratic Slovakia.
Ales Bartl/Ajla Zinhasovic
Slovak Embassy in Vienna Occupied by Environmental Activists
The reason for the protest by the environmental movement Global
2000 was the planned activation of the first reactor at the Mochovce
nuclear power station May 23. Six of the activists who got inside the
embassy building were arrested by police and taken into custody.
While the Austrian side continues to protest against the launch of
Mochovce, Slovak political representatives are in rare union - they say
Mochovce must be activated.
Ales Bartl/Ajla Zinhasovic
After deadline: Slovak Premier Vladimir Meicar arrived in Moscow May 27
for a two-day visit, during which he was to meet with President Boris
Yeltsin to discuss foremost Russian oil shipments to Slovakia, and also
about a Slovak astronaut.
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* Finance Minister Ivan Pilip said he blames Parliament's Chamber of
Deputies for the budget deficit, which is estimated to be 4.5 billion
crowns. Pilip said the deficit stems from the deputies' vote to raise
health insurance payments by the state May 20.
* The Czech crown strenghten to its annual maximum against German mark
(18.1 CZK for a deutschmark) and American dollar (31.91 CZK for
a dollar) May 22.
* According to the Czech Statistics Office, the trade deficit
increased from 8.6 billion crowns in March to 9.4 billion crowns for
April. Experts explain the rise by the the strength of the crown.
* The Czech beer Budweiser (Budvar) is the only Czech drink listed in
the 120 most popular alcoholic drinks in Britain, compiled by Publican
magazine. Budweiser ended up 82nd.
* As many as 3,000 employees will leave the Chemapol holding company
in the next 12 months. The company plans to merge its manufacturing
holdings and to cut activities outside the chemical and engineering
sectors. This is part of the recovery program Chemapol adopted because
of financial problems resulting from bad investments.
* Police charged Chairwoman of the Board of Skloexport Regina Razlova
of embezzeling from the firm. Razlova, who used to be a popular actress,
allegedly transfered 400 million crowns of Skloexport's money to her
family's company. Razlova is now outside the Czech Republic.
Ludvik Pospisil/Matej Cerny
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid May 29)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 20.739
Belgium 100 BEF 90.719
Great Britain 1 GBP 54.426
Denmark 1 DKK 4.913
ECU 1 XEU 36.872
Finland 1 FIM 6.157
France 1 FRF 5.581
Ireland 1 IEP 47.147
Italy 1000 ITL 18.984
Japan 100 JPY 24.196
Canada 1 CAD 22.925
Luxemburg 100 LUF 90.719
IMF 1 XDR 44.764
Hungary 100 HUF 15.475
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.601
Poland 1 PLN 9.488
Portugal 100 PTE 18.279
Austria 1 ATS 2.659
Greece 100 GRD 10.921
Germany 1 DEM 18.715
Slovakia 100 SKK 96.724
Slovenia 100 SIT 19.604
Spain 100 ESP 22.038
Sweden 1 SEK 4.268
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.612
USA 1 USD 33.345
CULTURE
Fourth Book World Fair Held in Prague
The fourth-annual book trade fair Book World '98, the most important
and most extensive domestic exhibit for publishers, took place at
Prague's Fairgrounds May 21-24. This year's festival hosted more than
650 publishers from 22 countries and, even though the size of the Czech
fair cannot be compared to fairs in Warsaw or Leipzig, it holds
a prestigious place on the international map of such feasts.
During discussions and readings, visitors could meet authors like
Israeli poet Yehuda Amichaie, American detective writer Ed McBain,
former Norwegian teacher Jostein Gaarder, author of Sophie's World, and
also with Czech writer living in Israel Viktor Fischl. The main theme of
this year's fair was Israel and its literature, presented to readers
because of the 50th anniversary of Israel's founding.
Petr Bilek Jr./Sofia Karakeva
Contemporary Japanese Cinematography Presented in Prague
In order to bring viewers closer to contemporary Japanese culture
a film festival called Japon.film@prague.cz took place in Prague.
Festival organizers managed to bring to the Czech Republic 13 films,
shown in the Lucerna theater May 21-24. "This event is unique because it
offers Europe the best of Japan's new wave. In normal film distribution
Japanese films do not appear, and it would be pity not to experience
them," said to Carolina festival coordinator Jana Semeradova.
Producer Masazuki Suo opened the festival and introduced his last
film Shall We Dance? (Smim prosit?). This delicate comedy is the most
successful Japanese film in years. Masao Kawano, chairman of the
Tokyo's Sundance Film Festival, an Asian offshoot of the famous American
independent film festival established in the mid-80's by actor and
producer Robert Redford, also visited Prague.
The golden years of Japanese cinematography are considered to be the
50's and 60's, represented by Akira Kurosawa and Ozi Mizoguchi. Film
experts describe the following years as dark, but the 90's have brought
a new generation of filmmakers focusing on pop-culture and technical
innovations. So in films from the land of the rising sun we can see
themes like alienation and trauma connected with life in a society
subject to rapid technological advances.
Petr Bilek Jr./Sofia Karakeva
Chance for Unique Brno Cultural Center, If Money Found
Vankovka, a turn-of-the-century complex of factory buildings a few
steps from the Brno main train station, has been abandoned and in
disrepair for years. It was, however, saved by local preservationists,
who prevented its planned demolition. The case took a turn for the
better last year when Vankovka fell into the city's custody.
The Vankovka civic association, made up mainly of theater
aficionados, was formed with goal of reconstructing the major parts of
the complex and devote it to artists. With projected clubs, galeries,
theaters, stores and practice areas, Vankovka could become one of the
biggest centers of its kind in Central Europe.
Vankovka hosted a theater and music festival last weekend, where the
high quality and number of visitors surprised many. There were some
problems, such as the only entrance via an auto dealership and no
permanent bar, but the main problem is money - the whole reconstruction
could reach 1 billion crowns. The city does not have the money and there
are only a few sponsors.
Brno, suffering from a lack of venues for young artists, could use
Vankovka. Last weekend's festival showed there are good amateur theater
troupes deserving of better conditions.
Ales Bartl/Ivona Pulkrabkova
SPORTS
Czech Soccer Players Win Kirin Cup
After a 1-0 win against Paraguay (goal by Smicer) and a 0-0 tie
against Japan, the Czech soccer players won the Kirin Cup in Yokohama,
Japan. They won the one-meter-tall trophy and a check for 100,000 USD.
The match against Japan was not too dramatic, as the Japanese
players chose a defensive style. About 70,000 people attended the game.
The Czech Republic team then met South Korea, another team which
will participate in the World Cup '98, and tied 2-2 (halftime 2-0, goals
by Nemec, Lokvenc) in Seoul. National team captain Jiri Nemec scored his
first goal for the national team, and it was the 100th goal for the
independent Czech Republic's national team.
Liberec Loses Battle for Nordic Skiing Championships
The FIS international ski federation congress in Prague May 21
decided that the 2003 nordic skiing World Championships will take place
in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The four-year struggle of the Czech cities
Liberec and Jablonec and their SKI 2003 association came to naught.
Czech Republic Dallies away Possibility of Winning Tennis World Cup
Czech tennis players did not win a point in the World Cup final
match against Germany in Dusseldorf. The injured Ctislav Dosedel lost to
Haas 1-6, 4-6, while Petr Korda, sick with a cold, lost to Kiefer 5-7,
3-6. German captain Boris Becker, playing doubles with David Prinosil,
then added a third point, defeating Cyril Suk and Daniel Vacek 6-4,
4-6, 6-2.
After Deadline: Czech tennis player Petr Korda lost in the first round
of the French Open to Argentinian Zabaleta 0-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6.
Prague International Marathon Winner Comes from Kenya, Again
The 4th Prague International Marathon drew 2,512 participated, one
of the top Czech track and field events. Kenya's Elijah Lagat, who once
ran the third-fastest marathon in history, won and broke the
one-year-old record of John Kagwe, finishing in 2:08:52. The former
official of the Kenyan Education Ministry, who began to run as
a 26-year-old to lose weight, managed to speak with his opponents during
the race. Elena Vinickaya from Belarus was the top female finisher.
Pavel Kryska was the top Czech finisher, coming in 10th. About
28,000 people participated in the entire event, including the fun runs.
Jan Ruml and Vaclav Klaus Went to Prcice - Separately
Chairmen of the Freedom Union (US) and the Civic Democratic Party
(ODS) proved their abilities in the Prague-Prcice hike May 23. Jan Ruml
(US) took part for the first time and went 22 kilometers, Vaclav Klaus
(ODS) chose the most frequent route, 25 kilometers long. He handed out
autographs to passersby, let them photograph him and spoke with
journalists.
It was the 33th year of the hike and about 10,000 people
participated.
Sports news by Ivona Pulkrabkova/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Last week showed us mainly clouds, occasionally with showers and in
the mountains even with snow. Nighttime temperatures were about 5
degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit, while daytime temperatures topped
out at 15 degrees Celsius/59 degrees Fahrenheit. The sun finally visited
us at the beginning of the week and the temperature reached 24 degrees
Celsius/65 degrees Fahrenheit by Wednesday's deadline. It looks like
studying for exams will only get tougher.
Gabriela Pecic/Ivona Pulkrabkova
English version edited by Michael Bluhm
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