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Carolina (English) No 327
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STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Charles University in Prague
Faculty of Social Sciences
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
e-mail: CAROLINA@mbox.fsv.cuni.cz
tel: (+4202) 22112252, fax: (+4202) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 327, Friday, April 9, 1999.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (March 31-April 7)
Government Allows NATO Planes to Use Czech Republic Airspace
During an extraordinary session April 2, the Government approved
a request from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to allow
NATO planes used in the raids on Yugoslavia to use Czech airspace.
The Government's manner of deciding was not accepted unanimously by
legislators. Some of them said that, according to the Constitution, the
decision should have been taken by Parliament. Ministers defended the
decision, saying that because no foreign soldier will stand on Czech
territory, Parliament does not have to discuss the matter.
The exact routes, altitude or frequency of the flights are not
known to the public. Sasa Jokic/Jakub Jirovec
Kovanda Warned for His Words about Government's Stance on Kosovo
Foreign Minister Jan Kavan April 1 threatened to recall Czech
ambassador to NATO Karel Kovanda for Kovanda's statements about
criticism in Brussels of some Czech politicians' stance on the attack on
Yugoslavia. Most ministers said they took Kovanda's comments as an
expression of disloyalty to the Government.
Kovanda said NATO representatives fail to see clear support for the
attack among Czech politicians. NATO representatives, Kovanda said,
criticized off the record the statement issued by the Government of
Prime Minister Milos Zeman, which incorrectly claimed the decision to
attack Yugoslavia was made before the Czech Republic was a member of
NATO (see Carolina 325). Kavan reproached Kovanda for not first
informing the Government of such a reaction.
"NATO looks upon the statements of some our representatives with
puzzlement and a certain incomprehension," said Kovanda. He also alluded
to Parliament Chairman Vaclav Klaus, who criticized the NATO attacks
(see Carolina 326). Kovanda also said one of NATO's key values is the
unity of member states in defending decisions agreed to, which cannot be
later questioned. Jan Mates/Jakub Jirovec
Czech Republic Helps Victims of Yugoslavia Crisis
Organized by the Government and civic organizations, the Czech
Republic is sending humanitarian aid to victims of the Yugoslavia
crisis. The Government has earmarked 7 million crowns for this
assistance. A plane with 14 tons of food, blankets and medical supplies
left Prague April 4. Czech Television's Man in Distress Foundation sent
2 trucks to Albania and one truck from the ADRA civic organization went
to Montenegro.
The Czech Republic is not now subject to a flood of Kosovo
refugees. There are now about 400 refugees from Kosovo live in Czech
refugee camps who have applied for political asylum. Foreign Minister
Jan Kavan said the Czech Republic is prepared to admit immediately
1,700 refugees and could eventually handle a maximum of 5,000.
Jan Mates/Jakub Jirovec
Czech Government Sends Military Hospital to Albania
Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Policy Egon Lansky April 7
oversaw the delivery of a fully equipped military field hospital to
Albania.
The hospital, worth about 1.3 million crowns and is the Czech
Republic's contribution to resolving the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo,
is being accompanied by three officers. These three will educate medical
personnel in Albania, which is experiencing a flood of refugees. Defense
Minister Vladimir Vetchy said the Czech Army can make do without the
equipment of the military hospital. This project is not connected with
the sending of a military hospital to Macedonia, approved by Parliament
as part of a possible international mission. That hospital should be
located near Skopje, after the conclusion of the NATO military actions
against Yugoslavia and subordinated to the leadership of NATO (see
Carolina 325). Ondrej Fer/Jan Martinek
Four Communist Deputies Travel to Yugoslavia
A group of four Parliament deputies of the Communist Party of
Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), headed by KSCM Parliamentary club Chairman
Vojtech Filip, travelled April 5 to Yugoslavia to assess the situation
in person. Filip accused NATO in a phone interview from Belgrade of
destroying civilian targets.
The Communists made the trip on their own after Parliament rejected
a proposal to send a monitoring group.
The Communist Party is against the NATO attacks on Yugoslavia and
emphasizes that they have been made without the mandate of the UN
Security Council. Jan Mates/Jan Martinek
NEWS IN BRIEF
* The Czech Parliament April 1 approved amendments to the penal
code, increasing punishments for corruption. The increased punishment
would affect not only those who accept the bribes (increased from
a maximum of five years in prison to eight years) but also those who
offer them (increased from three years to five).
* By a majority of the votes of Freedom Union (US), Christian
Democrat (KDU-CSL) and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) deputies, Parliament
April 1 approved a bill amending the transfer of the ownership of
farmland and forests from the state to private citizens. The Communists
and Social Democrats were against the bill and are going to file
a complaint with the Constitutional Court alleging the bill
discriminates against corporations.
* A bill from Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Government to ratify the
European Social Charter was April 2 passed into a second reading by
Parliament, despite significant resistance by the strongest opposition
party, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). The acceptance of the charter
would mean the modification of social rights in the Czech Republic to
European standards.
* The Government March 29 on the new director of the Security
Information Service (BIS) - present head of Military Defense
Intelligence Jiri Ruzek. Ruzek was investigated a short time ago on
suspicions of abusing public office. The investigation, which would have
threatened his appointment, was closed. A district attorney is expected
to provide a statement on the investigation
* President Vaclav Havel March 31 signed the amended Lottery and
Gaming Act. The act changes the maximum number of gain prizes and
eliminates discrimination against foreign corporations, which had been
banned from running consumer competitions in the Czech Republic.
Michaela Prokopova & Radan Dolejs/Jan Martinek
FROM SLOVAKIA
Kosovo Crisis from Slovak Point of View
Reactions of Slovak representatives to the Kosovo situation differ
throughout the political spectrum. There are many different statements
and disputes not only between the Government and the opposition, but
also between and within various political parties.
The Slovak National Assembly discussed the Yugoslavia crisis March
31. Its proposed statement said the assembly thinks human rights are
a matter of the international community. The statement also expresses
regret that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic did not accept the
efforts of the international community to resolve the situation and NATO
had to begin bombing. The declaration also expresses agreement with the
steps taken by the Government, which allowed NATO to use Slovak airspace
and challenged the sides in the conflict to resume negotiations. The
statement will be voted on April 9.
Premier Mikulas Dzurinda said for the daily Sme that he is not
thinking about Slovak forces' participation in Yugoslavia. Foreign
Minister Eduard Kukan said Slovakia allowed NATO planes to fly over the
country mostly because of its efforts at integration.
The opposition (former Premier Vladimir Meciar's Movement for
a Democratic Slovakia and the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party)
criticizes NATO's actions as agression, terror and an international
crime. Opposition representatives said that by allowing NATO planes to
fly over Slovakia, the country became an accomplice to the aggression.
They also called American President Bill Clinton a criminal. The
opposition will propose a confidence vote on the Government.
Jana Kadlecova/Jakub Jirovec
ECONOMY
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from April 8)
--------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 38.275
country
Belgium 100 BEF 94.881
Finland 1 FIM 6.437
France 1 FRF 5.835
Ireland 1 IEP 48.599
Italy 1000 ITL 19.767
Luxembourg 100 LUF 94.881
Netherlands 1 NLG 17.368
Portugal 100 PTE 19.091
Austria 1 ATS 2.782
Germany 1 DEM 19.570
Spain 100 ESP 23.004
----------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 22.290
Great Britain 1 GBP 56.529
Denmark 1 DKK 5.148
Japan 100 JPY 29.369
Canada 1 CAD 23.587
Hungary 100 HUF 15.074
Norway 1 NOK 4.573
New Zealand 1 NZD 18.877
Poland 1 PLN 8.905
Greece 100 GRD 11.771
Slovakia 100 SKK 85.214
Slovenia 100 SIT 19.950
Sweden 1 SEK 4.290
Switzerland 1 CHF 23.989
USA 1 USD 35.463
IMF 1 XDR 47.871
CULTURE
Writer Milan Kundera Celebrates 70th Birthday
World-renowned writer Milan Kundera, born in Brno, turned 70 April
1.
Kundera, whose works have been translated into many world
languages, first gained widespread fame in the former Czechoslovakia
after publishing his first novel The Joke in 1967. After the Soviet-led
Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968, his novels were
prohibited by the communist regime. In 1975 Kundera emigrated to France,
where he taught at universities in Remes and Paris and later gained
French citizenship. His novels were published in French by the Parisian
publishing house Gallimard and in Czech by the Toronto-based 69
Publishers, owned by Czech emigre writers Josef Skvorecky and Zdena
Salivarova, his wife. After The Joke, Kundera published the novels
Laughable Loves, Life Is Elsewhere, The Last Waltz, The Book of Laughter
and Forgetting, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Immortality, Slowness
and Identity. His critical works, The Art of the Novel and Betrayed
Testaments, are also dedicated to the novel.
Kundera does not write his books in Czech anymore. After the events
of 1989 Kundera did not move back to the Czech Republic.
Klara Nedvedova/Katerina Kolarova
Jirina Jiraskova about Herself
Jirina Jiraskova: About Herself is the title of the book of memoirs
christined in Prague's Book Paradise bookstore March 31.
The memoirs of the popular actress were jointly published by Format
and Close Encounters (Blizka setkani). "My life, although not very easy,
was very beautiful," said Jiraskova to the daily Pravo. Besides acting,
Jiraskova runs the Vinohrady Theater. Recently she received the Thalie
Prize for the lifetime achievement in the theater.
The cover of the book was designed by Jiraskova. Playwright Alex
Koenigsmark assisted with the book. Linda Kholova/Katerina Kolarova
SPORTS
Slavia Returns to Fight for Title by Win over Sparta
The intracity derby between Prague's two S's - Sparta and Slavia
- was the hit of the Gambrinus Soccer League 21st round. About 10,000
fans saw a collision between two former Viktoria Zizkov players, Ludek
Zelenka, who recently arrived in Slavia, and Antonin Mlejnsky, after
which the referee ordered a penalty kick. Former Sparta player Pavel
Horvath scored. Sparta could not manage to score in the second half and
was lucky Richard Dostalek did not convert another Slavia penalty kick.
Slavia defeated Sparta 1-0, its first victory in six years.
Jablonec achieved a surprising win in Teplice, which is still
falling from its position in the beginning of the spring session (it was
tied with current leader Sparta). For Jablonec the win meant a step out
of the depths of the standings, but its future in next year's first
league is not yet assured. The game will be closed by a meeting of the
Arbitration Commission, because Teplice filed a complaint against the
referee Vidlak.
Ostrava tied Olomouc after Petr Ruman (Ostrava) and Pavel Hapal's
(Olomouc) goals 1-1, Ostrava's 13th draw this season. A record number of
five games finished in 1-1 ties.
Results of the 21st round: Slavia Praha - Sparta Praha 1-0, Teplice
- Jablonec 2-1, Ostrava - Olomouc 1-1, Blsany - Zizkov 2-0, Pribram
- Brno 1-1, Opava - Plzen 1-1, Drnovice - Karvina 1-1, Liberec - Hradec
Kralove 1-1.
Standings (not including the postponed game between Jablonec and
Slavia): 1. Sparta 43 points, 2. Teplice 36, 3. Slavia 35, 4. Olomouc
35, 5. Blsany 32, 6. Drnovice 32, 7. Hradec Kralove 29, 8. Ostrava 28,
9. Brno 27, 10. Opava 27, 11. Liberec 24, 12. Zizkov 24, 13. Jablonec
21, 14. Pribram 21, 15. Plzen 20, 16. Karvina 16.
Josef Koukolicek/Mirek Langer
AFTER DEADLINE: In the postponed game, Jablonec defeated Slavia 5-2
April 8.
Hockey Extraleague: Semifinal Series Need Deciding Games
Slovnaft Vsetin - Sparta Praha 2-2 (2-1 OT, 2-3, 4-2, 1-4)
"We are going for the title, Vsetin is only one of the obstacles,"
said Sparta forward Miroslav Hlinka after Prague's team defeated Vsetin
in the fourth game of the series and evened the series at 2-2. Sparta is
the first team to defeat Vsetin in a playoff series more than once.
The first game in Vsetin finished in a win for the home team after
Jiri Dopita's overtime goal. The next match belonged to Sparta, which
also won by one goal. Vsetin players however felt cheated in both games,
because two Sparta goals were scored after collisions of Sparta forwards
with Vsetin goalkeeper Roman Cechmanek. A livid Cechmanek said, "Even
the head referee, Mr. Janu, confirmed it was interference. I was right
to be annoyed in Vsetin," he said, but he denied that his excitement had
a bad influence on his performance.
Vsetin won the next game and defeated Sparta on the road 4-2. It
could not take the final step to the finals - in the fourth game, Sparta
was much better and won 4-1. "It's an early final, Vsetin and Sparta are
obviously the best teams in the league," Hlinka said.
ZPS Zlin - Trinec 2-1 (5-1, 2-1, 1-5)
The biggest surprise of this year's league, Zlin continues
performing brilliantly. Goalkeeper Jaroslav Kames is its main star, in
the quarterfinal series allowing one goal in three games.
He dominated the first two games at home against Trinec - in each
he allowed one goal. The second win, decided in the 51st minute by Roman
Meluzin's goal, seemed crucial for the series. Trinec, however,
complained that the referee did not officiate the game according the
rules. "We are not satisfied with the performance of referee Petr
Bolina, who hurt us," said Jaroslav Jagr, Trinec's coach, for the daily
Sport. Particularly Zlin's first goal annoyed the guests, who thought
the referees would call the icing, but the goal counted.
Trinec first won in the third game, in which it obliterated Zlin
5-1 and forced Kames to the bench. Viktor Ujcik scored a hat trick.
"Kames is an excellent goalkeeper, he will deal with it. He took himself
out of the game intentionally and saved his strength for the next game,"
said Ujcik for the daily Sport. Stepan Etrych/Mirek Langer
AFTER DEADLINE:
Vsetin - Sparta 1-0 (penalty shots), Vsetin wins the series 3-2 and
advances to the finals.
Trinec - Zlin 5-4, Trinec ties the series at 2-2, the decisive
fifth game is scheduled for April 9.
Jihlava Gets Back in Extraleague Qualification Series
Although Dukla Jihlava was down 0-3 in games in the best-of-seven
qualification series against second-league champ Znojmo, it managed to
get back into the series.
After two wins in Jihlava, Znojmo did not slow down in the third
game on its own ice, winning 4-1. Since then it has been waiting to take
the final step into the extraleague. In the fourth game, again in
Znojmo, Petr Vlk's overtime goal kept Jihlava's hopes alive with a 3-2
win. In the fifth game, Jihlava played excellently, crushing Znojmo 8-2.
Znojmo met Opava in last season's qualification series, and
although it also led then 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, Opava won the
last four games to stay in the extraleague.
Stepan Etrych/Mirek Langer
AFTER DEADLINE: Znojmo - Jihlava 1-3, Jihlava tied the series on 3-3 and
will host the deciding match April 9.
Czech Davis Cup Team Loses in Belgium
The Czech men's tennis team did not manage the fulfill the role of
favorite and lost to Belgium in the World Group of the Davis Cup first
round in Ghent. This unexpected result means the Czech team has to
compete in the September qualification round.
Although Belgium's top player Filip Dewulf had problems with an
injury, Belgium worked hard after losing the doubles match, when the
score stood at 1-2 (Bohdan Ulihrach - Xavier Malisse 1-3, Ctislav
Dosedel - Filip Dewulf 3-0, Jiri Novak, David Rikl - Filip Dewulf,
Johann Van Herck 3-0). Dewulf's substitute Christophe Van Garsse
defeated Ulihrach 3-0 and the decisive match between Malisse and Dosedel
finished with the Belgian teenager's 3-1 win. Petr Wilfer/Mirek Langer
AFTER DEADLINE: The Czech Republic will meet Uzbekistan in the
qualification round in September, the series will be played on the
opponent's court.
Short-Track Swimming World Championships: Slovakia's Moravcova Triumphs
The fourth short-track swimming World Championships finished in
Hong Kong April 5. Swimmers broke eight world records, while former
Czechoslovak and now Slovak star Martina Moravcova won three titles and
became one of the championships' big winners.
The seven Czech participants made their presence known, as three of
them advanced to the A-finals: Yvetta Hlavacova broke the national
record in the 100m individual medley and finished sixth. Jan Vitazka
finished in seventh place in the 200m individual medley and Marcela
Kubalcikova added an eighth place in the 200m backstroke.
Jirka Wazik/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
The Czech Republic was visited by spring. People wore shorts,
t-shirts and skirts last week. Parks and forests were full of people,
who, crazed by cabin fever, biked, jogged or just went for a stroll.
Prague's famous Petrin Hill was swarmed by young couples, who replaced
snowboarders (they went into hiding with the first sunshine). But then
what happened? The rains came April 5 and the clouds returned. The sun
is gone. But we all hope that it will not be for long.
Jirka Wazik/Jakub Jirovec
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