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Carolina (English) No 288
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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: (+420 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+420 2) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 288, Thursday, May 7, 1998.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 29 - May 6)
American Senate Accepts Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary in NATO
During the night of May 1 (Central European Time) the American
Senate expressed, by an overwhelming majority of 80 votes to 19 votes,
its agreement with offering NATO membership to the Czech Republic,
Poland and Hungary. The United States became, after Canada, Denmark,
Norway and Germany, the fifth country to agree with broadening the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization. The other 11 member countries are expected
to ratify expansion this year.
American senators also swept off the table an amendment to impose
a three-year moratorium between the first and the second round of NATO
expansion. An amendment stating that the three future members should
first join the European Union was also rejected. "I consider the result
of the voting a historic milestone on the way to an undivided,
democratic and peaceful Europe," American President Bill Clinton was
quoted as saying in Czech dailies. After the convincing vote it is
highly improbable that complications would arise in expanding the
Alliance. The only exception is ratification in the Turkish Parliament.
Some legislators there want to make NATO expansion conditional on
including Turkey in the EU.
Nora Novakova/Denisa Vitkova
Czech Senators Also Approve NATO Membership
The Czech Senate April 30 approved the country's membership in
NATO. Sixty-four senators voted in favor of joining, and two Communists
and one Social Democrat expressed disagreement with membership. Two
senators abstained from voting, and the remaining 12 legislators were
not present, either by design or by accident. "It is good that the
parliamentary part of the procedure went off relatively fast and with
dignity," daily MF DNES quoted the Defense Minister Michal Lobkowicz as
saying. Lobkowicz said it is almost impossible that a NATO member
country would now reject expansion.
The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary should become NATO members
at the Alliance's summit in Washington April 4, 1999 (the 50th
anniversary of NATO's founding), although they may be co-opted as early
as December.
Nora Novakova/Denisa Vitkova
President Returns Home
President Vaclav Havel returned to Prague May 6 after a three-week
stay at the Innsbruck Hospital. After his return, the president will be
hospitalized for some 10 more days at the Central Army Hospital in
Prague. Havel left Innsbruck on a special airplane from the Tyrolean Air
Ambulance company. Just before his departure, Havel was visited by
Austrian President Thomas Klestil.
The president and his wife had been on vacation in Austria when
Havel needed emergency surgery April 14 for a perforated colon (see
Carolina 285-7). He left the intensive care unit May 4 and made his
first public appearance after the surgery, giving thanks first to his
doctors and also to the people who had been thinking of him.
The Office of the President has cancelled all of Havel's official
appearances until the end of May. Professor Ernst Bodner, who operated
on Havel three weeks ago, said he does not see any reason why Havel
could not return to work in the near future.
Ajla Zinhasovic/Ajla Zinhasovic
Foreign Minister Sedivy Visits South America
Foreign Minister Jaroslav Sedivy left May 2 for a visit to
Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil designed to open economic and political
cooperation. He met with his Argentinian counterpart Guido di Tella May
3, where they discussed global security and integration processes, which
he also took up with Argentinian President Carlos Saul Menem. The Czech
Embassy in Cuba is to be re-opened as part of the restoration of
relations with Latin America.
Pavel Turek/Sofia Karakeva
Roman Ceska Resigns as FNM Chairman
National Property Fund (FNM) Executive Committee Chairman Roman
Ceska announced his resignation May 4. In a letter sent to the FNM
presidium and Finance Minister Ivan Pilip, Ceska cited the reasons for
his resignation as Parliament's cuts in the FNM's budget, the efforts of
some politicians to stop privatization (see Carolina 286) and abuse
their positions in state-controlled companies. "The socialist-lobbyist
decision of the current government to transfer the Trebon spas without
compensation to the the city, or the proposal from (Christian Democrat)
Minister (of Agriculture Josef) Lux for the direct sale of the Budvar
Brewery, which he wants in any government, are exactly the steps which
I do not want to and will not assist," said Ceska.
Ceska, who has been chairman for more than four years, will have
remain for some months more in the position, because the FNM has no
presidium - it was recalled at the Parliament session which cut the
fund's budget.
Many have connected Ceska's resignation with the state's failures
in the Most Coal Company and OKD, where investors were able to buy up
a majority despite the FNM controlling more than 45 per cent of the
companies' shares. The Social Democrats, who had long criticized Ceska,
welcomed his resignation.
"I must say it is another in the negative signs concerning the
process of privatization," said Pilip. Pilip's party colleague, Freedom
Union Chairman Jan Ruml, said "We were never satisfied with Ceska's
work, and after the elections the Union will push for the FNM's
dissolution."
Michal Cerny/Michael Bluhm
Zeman Claims Ruml Prepared Conspiracy against Czech Republic's Interests
Social Democrat (CSSD) Chairman Milos Zeman has provided the newest
pre-election affair. Zeman gave journalists May 4 a letter allegedly
written by former Interior Minister and current Freedom Union Chairman
Jan Ruml to former intelligence chief Oldrich Cerny, in which Ruml
directed the intelligence service to gather foreign reactions to the
"abdication of the prime minister after the release of compromising
materials, the realization of changes in the leadership of the Chamber
of Deputies after intensive media discrediting of the standing
parliamentary parties (and) the acceptance of an act calling for early
elections." The letter is dated September 4, 1997.
Another document, which Zeman did not give journalists, is the
alleged minutes of a meeting between Ruml, President Vaclav Havel and
Cerny, where they prepared the discrediting of former Prime Minister
Vaclav Klaus and the initiation of the Bamberg affair, in which CSSD
leadership is suspected of receiving financial assistance from
a Czech-Swedish businessman in return for promises of high state
positions (see Carolina 281-3). Zeman gave the documents to police
investigator Martin Hadek, who is also investigating the Bamber affair.
Ruml denied all the accusations and said Zeman's documents are
falsifications, that Zeman is paranoid and should "take a hike."
Zeman also gave to journalists another letter which says former
Defense Minister Antonin Baudys and his Christian Democrat ministerial
colleague Miloslav Vyborny were to discuss the same subjects some 14
days earlier. All Christian Democrats called the letter a fake. Baudys
said he had received Zeman's materials 14 days ago, but because it was
obvious that they were frauds he took no notice. He also denied
corresponding with Vyborny.
Social Democrats were evidently disappointed by Zeman's hastiness to
present the materials. CSSD security expert Jaroslav Basta said he
thinks the documents are fakes but that they were probably made by
someone in the intelligence service because of certain official
elements.
Jan Kozanek/Sofia Karakeva
Communist Party Celebrates May Day
Thousands of citizens (some estimates claim 15,000), largely
retirees, gathered May 1 on Prague's Letna Plain to celebrate May Day
and to express their dislike of the government. The event was organized
by the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), giving a start to
the party's election campaign. During the event all candidates on the
party's Prague ballot were introduced, party Chairman Miroslav
Grebenicek and others gave speeches. The entertainment portion of the
event featured the christening of an album of revolutionary songs (The
Labor song (Pisen prace), The Internationale and Onward, Comrades
(Vpred, soudrzi)). No incidents with opponents or police were reported.
The Social Democrats opened their election campaign May 1 in Usti
nad Labem in the midst of beach volleyball and soccer tournaments on the
city's main square, which was packed for the events. Usti also hosted
May Day celebrations organized by the KSCM and the Communist Party of
Czechoslovakia, which urged a boycott of the June elections.
Jaroslav Mares/Sofia Karakeva
Good Will Committee Presents Fourth-Annual Olga Havlova Awards
The Olga Havlova Award, presented annually by the Good Will
Committee - Olga Havlova Foundation, was given to 30-year-old Olomouc
resident Martina Langrova. The award is given to a handicapped person
who significantly contributes to helping other handicapped people.
Langrova, a sociologist, works in Olomouc's Archdiocese Charity and
assists the wheelchair-bound in the Trend civic association.
Lenka Vochocova/Michael Bluhm
FROM SLOVAKIA
Slovakia Still without a President
The Slovak National Assembly failed to elect a president in the
third round of elections, held April 30. Milan Secansky, candidate of
the ruling Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), garnered 72 votes
in the 150-seat Assembly, while opposition candidate Brigit Schmognerova
received 47 votes. The fourth round will be held May 29.
Prokop Havel/Michael Bluhm
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* The state budget finished the first third of the year in
a 755-million-crown deficit, after the month of April saw a deficit of
8.4 billion crowns.
* The Czech Statistics Office released an updated prognosis May 5
predicting 1998 GDP growth of 1.4 per cent, inflation of 12.2 per cent
and unemployment in 1999 of 7 per cent.
* The Czech crown recorded its highest level since last summer record
high May 4, when after heavy trading it was at a level of 18.26
deutschmarks to the crown.
Tomas Mls/Michael Bluhm
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid from May 7)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 20.786
Belgium 100 BEF 88.800
Great Britain 1 GBP 53.947
Denmark 1 DKK 4.802
ECU 1 XEU 36.131
Finland 1 FIM 6.028
France 1 FRF 5.462
Ireland 1 IEP 46.031
Italy 1000 ITL 18.561
Japan 100 JPY 24.488
Canada 1 CAD 22.552
Luxemburg 100 LUF 88.800
IMF 1 XDR 43.854
Hungary 100 HUF 15.520
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.257
Norway 1 NOK 4.407
New Zealand 1 NZD 17.825
Poland 1 PLN 9.641
Portugal 100 PTE 17.874
Austria 1 ATS 2.604
Greece 100 GRD 10.540
Germany 1 DEM 18.320
Slovakia 100 SKK 94.671
Slovenia 100 SIT 19.633
Spain 100 ESP 21.559
Sweden 1 SEK 4.263
Switzerland 1 CHF 21.879
USA 1 USD 32.478
CULTURE
Master Theodore Not Finished
The exhibit of the works of Czech Middle-Ages painter Master
Theodore in Prague's St. Agnes Convent, which opened November 13 and was
scheduled to end April 26, has been extended because of its popularity
until September 17.
Theodore was one of the most significant Czech painters of the
14th century, serving as Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV's court painter.
His most famous work is the the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Karlstein
(Karlstejn), for which he contributed not only paintings and frescos but
also designed the decoration of the entire chapel.
In addition to paintings from the chapel, the exhibit also features
the Relic Cross of the Czech Kingdom. There are supplemental exhibits
about Karlstein and Charles IV, about Middle Ages painting, two films
about Czech painting in the last quarter of the 14th century and
children's works inspired by Theodore.
Karolina Kucerova/Michael Bluhm
B. B. King Reigns in Prague
American bluesman and guitarist B. B. King kept his word and, one
year after his last concert here, returned to Prague, where April 28 he
showed the locals again how the blues sound. "I'm glad to be here with
you again," said King from the stage of the Congress Center.
King said he had more free time in Prague than during his last two
appearances, but said he spent most of his time at the computer
answering e-mail: the 72-year-old Mississippi "King of the Blues" said
he is a passionate user of the Internet.
Every concert is different for him, King said, with differences in
the atmospheres of venues, and he added he is in a different moo every
night. There are times when I say things on stage which otherwise
I would never talk about, said King, who originally worked as a field
hand. His career got off the ground in the 40's, though it was the hit
Three O'Clock Blues which brought him popularity in the early 50's. King
has worked recently with Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones.
Petr Bilek Jr./Michael Bluhm
Ferdinand Peroutka Exhibit in Capek's Strz
An exhibit dedicated to Czech journalist and writer Ferdinand
Peroutka was opened in Karel Capek's museum in Strz near Dobris, the
summer resort of the well-known Czech writer and Peroutka's friend.
Peroutka's permanent exhibit in the museum is located in the attic
room of the summer villa where Peroutka used to live during his visits
in Strz, although the majority of the exhibit - photos, books and
memorabilia - is situated in the hall.
The most valuable part of the exhibit is the first bound edition of
Peroutka's main work, the journalistic and historical The Building of
the State (Budovani statu). Many visitors are intrigued by Peroutka's
less-than-outstanding school report card.
Eva Fronkova/Milan Smid
SPORTS
Czech Hockey Players Fight with Puck and Injuries
The Czech team started the hockey World Championships in
Switzerland with an easy 8-2 win against Japan. Two early Radek Belohlav
goals broke the Japanese and the game continued at a practice-session
pace. Patera also scored two goals, Lubina, Dopita, Moravec and Kucera
each added one. Milan Hejduk was bizarrely injured when he was hit in
the face by teammate Libor Prochazka's shot and required surgery.
The 4-2 Czech win against Belarus was offset by more injuries,
suffered by goalkeeper Roman Cechmanek and forward David Moravec. The
coaches had to experiment with the squad, with four injured players
sitting in the stands. Milan Hnilicka replaced Cechmanek and allowed two
goals in two minutes. The Czechs' goals were scored by Martin Prochazka
(2), Vyborny and Lubina.
The third match was the best for the Czechs as they smashed Germany
8-1. They surprised thousands of German fans and their confident
opponents. Belohlav scored twice again, Vykoukal, Kucera, Vyborny,
Patera, M. Prochazka and Hlavac filled out the scoring, which was also
praised by German coach George Kingston. Three of the injured (Jaroslav
Spacek, Hejduk and Cechmanek) watched the match at home in the Czech
Republic, while center Petr Sykora and defender Jiri Slegr are coming to
Switzerland from the NHL.
Erik Tabery/Mirek Langer
Sparta Wins Soccer League Title Again, Four Rounds before End of Season
After Sparta defeated Hradec Kralove on Hradec's field in a soccer
league 26th-round match May 1, we know the name of the new Czech soccer
champion. Sparta won the title for the 25th time, and while Sparta
players spent the weekend celebrating, other teams fought on for final
positions in the standings. Ostrava beat Viktoria Zizkov, Slavia
defeated Ceske Budejovice, and two candidates for the UEFA Cup
- Jablonec and Liberec - each tallied the full three points. Also the
difference between the worst eight teams in the standings (forgetting
last-place Bohdanec, already doomed to fall from the league) remained
small, so there will be drama until the last round.
Results of the 26th round: Slavia Praha - Ceske Budejovice 1-0,
Brno - Olomouc 1-1, Drnovice - Plzen 2-0, Opava - Teplice 0-1, Dukla
- Jablonec 1-3, Ostrava - Zizkov 6-1, Liberec - Bohdanec 2-0, Hradec
Kralove - Sparta Praha 2-0.
Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 61 points, 2. Slavia Praha 51, 3.
Olomouc 45, 4. Ostrava 43, 5. Jablonec 42, 6. Liberec 41, 7. Teplice
35, 8. Viktoria Zizkov 35, 9. Brno 34, 10. Dukla 32, 11. Drnovice 30,
12. Viktoria Plzen 29, 13. Opava 29, 14. Hradec Kralove 28, 15. Ceske
Budejovice 27, 16. Bohdanec 8.
Ondrej Hanzal/Mirek Langer
Meligeni Wins Tennis Paegas Czech Open in Prague
Brazilian 27-year-old Fernando Meligeni won the Prague tennis
tournament the Paegas Czech Open, defeating Ctislav Dosedel of the Czech
Republic 6-1, 6-4 May 3. Dosedel defeated Petr Korda, who had been
eyeing first place in the world rankings, in the second round.
The final match started three hours late due to rain, and Dosedel
was handicapped by the flu. Meligeni decided the first set in 20
minutes, getting to a 5-0 lead and controlling the rest of the match.
David Kozohorsky/Mirek Langer
After Deadline: Semifinals of the Czech Soccer Association Cup: Drnovice
- Slavia Praha 2-0, Jablonec - Brno 1-0 (overtime).
WEATHER
Even though the month of May has already begun, April's weather is
still playing with us. Compared to last week, temperatures have
decreased. People started wearing coats and sweaters again, and carrying
an umbrella can be very useful as well. Students should be satisfied,
however, because this is ideal weather for studying for exams, which are
just around the corner. During the week, daytime temperatures reached
15 degrees Celsius/59 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures
did not rise above 8 degrees Celsius/ degrees Fahrenheit. The sun is no
longer smiling at us, because it is hidden all the time behind
uncountable clouds.
Gabriela Pecic/Gabriela Pecic
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