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Carolina (English) No 328
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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 328, Friday, April 16, 1999.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 7 - April 14)
Social Democrat Congress Leaves Party the Same
For the fourth time, Prime Minister Milos Zeman was elected as
chairman of the Social Democratic Party (CSSD) with 82 per cent of
delegates' votes, 10 per cent more than two years ago. Vladimir Spidla
remains first vice chairman, Zdenek Skromach, Petr Lachnit and Petra
Buzkova remain the other vice chairs. The new face in the leadership is
Karel Kobes, vice chairman for management, who replaced Finance Minister
Ivo Svoboda. The congress was held April 9-11 in Prague and it was the
first in which the party could celebrate being alone in forming the
Government. There was a full program and many expected an conflict of
opinion to come to the fore between the coterie surrounding Stanislav
Gross, chairman of the party's Parliamentary club, and Zeman's clique,
but no substantial changes occurred.
Zeman did record one defeat when his long-term party program
proposal was not approved by the congress. Gross and others said the
proposal was too descriptive and lacked a realistic vision. The fight
over the party's articles of association ended with quotas remaining for
women and young people in the party. Deputies also voted to weaken the
influence of Social Democrat Women and the Young Social Democrats on the
internal workings of the party.
The congress also discussed the situation in Kosovo. More than
half of the delegates (341 of 600) signed a letter addressed to Yugoslav
ambassador in Prague labelling the NATO attacks an act of aggression and
requesting they end. Foreign Minister Jan Kavan distanced himself from
the letter, saying its contents conflict with the Government's position
and the Czech Republic's interests. He did support a resolution calling
on all sister Social Democrat parties to start a discussion immediately
about peace in the Balkans and expressed full support for the
Government's actions in the Balkan crisis.
Zeman confirmed his planned retirement from politics in 2002, and
said he will not run for re-election as party chairman. He said, "I'm
convinced that present statutory Vice Chairman Vladimir Spidla fulfills
all requirements for character, intelligence and diligence to replace
me." Spidla received 91 per cent of delegates' votes for the position of
first vice chairman.
Pavlina Hodkova/Sofia Karakeva
Government Approves Field Hospital for Balkans
Both chambers of the Czech Parliament April 14 approved sending an
army field hospital and an An-26 transport aircraft. Repeated approval
was needed because the previous vote bound the hospital to a peace
agreement.
Government spokesman Libor Roucek announced April 11 after an
extraordinary Cabinet session that ministers will earmark about 1
billion crowns for humanitarian aid for Kosovo Albanians.
The Chamber of Deputies April 14 passed a resolution declaring that
deputies "are ready to support all steps toward the quickest resolution
of the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo."
The Senate did not accept any of three proposed resolutions
concerning a stance on NATO actions in Yugoslavia.
Marketa Kaclova, Jakub Jirovec, Radan Dolejs/Jakub Jirovec
Havel: Czech Attitudes on Kosovo Discourages NATO from Further Expansion
President Vaclav Havel criticized on Czech Television again the
attitudes of Czech political leaders toward NATO attacks. Havel also
warned that their statements threaten further NATO expansion. "Already
today there are doubts if the Alliance should futher expand at all.
I have it confirmed from very significant sources that these doubts are
based on debates and comments among Czech politicians," said Havel. His
words were confirmed by French political scientist Jacques Rupnik, who
also said that a popular phrase in NATO is, "The Poles are in, the
Czechs out and the Hungarians in-between." According to American daily
The Washington Post, NATO General Secretary Javier Solana reprimanded
Czech ambassador to NATO Karel Kovanda for the inability of Czech
representatives to take responsibility for NATO attacks.
Havel's claim was indirectly dismissed by Foreign Minister Jan
Kavan, who said he did not hear any criticism of the Czech stance during
a meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member countries. American
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, according to Kavan, repeatedly
called the Czech Republic a loyal ally. Havel's claim was also
criticized by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). ODS representatives said
further NATO expansion could be discouraged by many other factors and
Havel was only trying to exploit the Kosovo crisis for domestic
political favor.
The Kosovo conflict was one of the topics discussed during the
session of the Czech Republic's Security Council. Havel, Prime Minister
Milos Zeman, Senate Chairwoman Libuse Benesova and Chamber of Deputies
Chairman Vaclav Klaus supposedly reached agreement on their position in
order to appear unified at NATO's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Jakub Jirovec, Radan Dolejs/Jakub Jirovec
Charles University Finishes 650th Anniversary Festivities
The Celebratory Concert in Prague's Municipal House (Obecni dum)
April 7 brought an end to the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of
the founding of Charles University. The university was established April
7, 1348, by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. From its beginning, one of
the oldest European universities was considered an important part of the
European and world academic community.
The celebrations began November 17, 1997, with a Celebratory
Meeting of the extended University Scientific Board and with a meeting
of the university's rector with the school's top current students at the
historical Carolinum building (see Carolina 266). Besides the jubilee
events organized for the general public, the celebrations encompassed
many scientific conferences, congresses, symposia and seminars, during
which the university was visited by 5,000 academics from around the
world.
The anniversary events came to a head the first week of last April
(see Carolina 284-285). Charles University representatives were received
by the president of the Czech Republic at Prague Castle, a celebratory
concert was performed by the Czech Philharmonic and the Conference on
the Role of the University on the Threshold of 21st Century took place
in the Carolinum.
Among other main events in the next month were Czechs Abroad Week,
Mayales and the Cycle of Seven Concerts of Period Music, which began in
February 1998 and lasted till March 1999.
Charles University has 37,807 students and 7,000 employees.
Jan Martinek/Jan Martinek
Trial Run for Unified High-School Final Exams
The Czech Republic April 8-9 in nearly all Czechs high schools
administered the last trial exams in its preparations for a unified
final state high-school exam. This year will be the last year that high
schools will draw up their own questions for the state exams. The
statewide questions will be created for Czech, math and foreign
languages, in order to enable comparison of high schools. Last week's
exams were given to about 106,000 students at more than 1,600 high
schools. The cost was 28 million crowns, and the whole project has
sometimes been criticized as expensive.
Marketa Kaclova/Lenka Nejezchlebova
Pig Farm in Lety Not to Be Taken Down
The Czech Cabinet voted down April 7 the motion submitted by its
civil rights officer Petr Uhl, according to which the pig slaughterhouse
in Lety near Pisek should be purchased, dismantled and built in another
place at the state's expense. The pig farm stands on the site of
a concentration camp for Romany (Gypsy) people from World War II.
According Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Rychetsky, the state cannot spend
600 million crowns on the project. The Government will try to do its
best for refitting the place as a memorial to Romany victims. A similar
measure should be applied to another former Romany camp in Hodonin in
Moravia.
Jirka Wazik/Lenka Nejezchlebova
Miss Czech Republic 1999
An extraordinarily high concentration of beautiful girls was in
Karlovy Vary April 10. The finals of the Miss 99 competition were held
in the city's Grand Hotel Pupp. Helena Houdova, 19-year-old student from
Pilsen (Plzen), was elected this year's Miss Czech Republic. The
runner-up was 19-year-old student from Bohumin Sarka Sikorova, third
prize was received by 20-year-old model Jitka Kocurova from Vlasim.
Petra Machova/Katerina Kolarova
FROM SLOVAKIA
HZDS Announces Last-Minute Meciar Candidacy for President
The Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) announced April 9 the
presidential candidacy of former Premier Vladimir Meciar. That day was
the deadline for submitting candidates to Chairman of the Slovakia
National Assembly Jozef Migas. He will have to determine the eligibility
of three party candidates (Rudolf Schuster of the Party of Civic
Understanding, Jan Slota of the Slovak National Party and Meciar) and
six independent candidates.
Meciar's candidacy surprised most observers. According to the
Slovak daily Sme, HZDS had been encouraging Meciar for several weeks to
run. Thanks to loyal HZDS voters and part of the Slovak National Party
(SNS) voter base, Meciar is expected by many to advance into the second,
final round of the election. Observers say the result could either
strengthen morale within HZDS or will spell the end of Meciar and the
political approach of HZDS will have to change.
Editor-in-Chief of the Slovak daily Domino Forum Stefan Hrib said
voters are surprised by Meciar's candidacy and will choose stability
offered by Schuster, which should then weaken the position of
independent candidate Magda Vasaryova.
Jana Kadlecova/Sofia Karakeva
Slovak Parliament on Yugoslav Situation
Slovakia's National Assembly April 9 discussed the situation in
Yugoslavia. Slovak Premier Mikulas Dzurinda explained the permission
granted to NATO planes to fly over Slovakia as a confirmation of the
values the Government and Slovakia's people want to support. The
Government contributed 80 million Slovak crowns to humanitarian aid to
Kosovo victims. The National Assembly will continue discussion on the
Kosovo crisis April 20.
Jana Kadlecova/Sofia Karakeva
Assemblymen Allow Lexa's Criminal Prosecution
Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) assemblyman and former
Director of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) Ivan Lexa was stripped
of his parliamentary immunity during the Slovak National Assembly's
April 9 session.
Assemblymen allowed Lexa to be prosecuted in five matters in which
he is being investigated by the police, for example for his role in the
kidnapping of the son of former President Michal Kovac or the fraudulent
sale of a church's triptych to discredit the Catholic Church.
Lexa, after the former Interior Minister Gustav Krajci, became the
second HZDS assemblyman to be stripped of his immunity.
Petr Kupec/Jakub Jirovec
ECONOMY
Revitalization Plan for Industry in the Offing
Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda, Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr and
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy Pavel Mertlik came to an
agreement on the final form of the restructuring and revitalization of
selected industrial corporations (see Carolina 326).
The whole project will be managed by the Revitalization Agency, set
up by the state's Consolidation Bank (Konsolidacni banka) with basic
capital of 100 million crowns. The custodian of the agency, to be
selected through an international tender among renowned investment
banks, will be obliged to become a shareholder. The custodian will be
responsible for the activity of the agency. According to the daily
Hospodarske noviny, the Czech banks that are the creditors of the
targeted enterprises, could also participate in raising basic capital.
The project also presupposes minority state ownership in the selected
companies.
Four criteria will be decisive for the selection of the companies:
national and regional economic and social importance (i.e., more than
2,000 employees), the company's multi-level impact on the economy
(purchases of materials and services from local suppliers exceeding 1
billion crowns last year), contribution to the recuperation of the
banking sector and the company's ability to survive.
Pavlina Hodkova/Milan Smid
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* The Czech Statistics Office released surprising information that
the rate of inflation in the Czech Republic was 0.2 per cent in March.
* The Banking Council of the Czech National Bank April 9 reduced the
14-day repo rate from 7.5 per cent to 7.2 per cent.
Pavlina Hodkova/Jakub Jirovec
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid April 16)
------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 37.700
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 22.135
Great Britain 1 GBP 56.354
Denmark 1 DKK 5.072
Japan 100 JPY 29.337
Canada 1 CAD 23.336
IMF 1 XDR 47.460
Hungary 100 HUF 14.852
Norway 1 NOK 4.516
New Zealand 1 NZD 18.812
Poland 1 PLN 8.794
Greece 100 GRD 11.624
Slovakia 100 SKK 83.972
Slovenia 100 SIT 19.760
Sweden 1 SEK 4.218
Switzerland 1 CHF 23.517
USA 1 USD 34.899
Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 19.276
Belgium 100 BEF 93.456
Finland 1 FIM 6.341
France 1 FRF 5.747
Ireland 1 IEP 47.869
Italy 1000 ITL 19.470
Luxemburg 100 LUF 93.456
Netherlands 1 NLG 17.108
Portugal 100 PTE 18.805
Austria 1 ATS 2.740
Spain 100 ESP 22.658
CULTURE
Poet Ivan Divis Dies
Poet Ivan Divis died at the age of 74 in Prague April 7. Divis was
one of the most significant Czech postwar poets. His first anthology was
published in 1947, his most productive years were the 60's, with the
publishing of collections Elias' Fire (Eliasuv ohen), Spewing Blood
(Chrleni krve) and Moralities (Morality). At the end of the 60's, after
the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia and the ensuing dark years of
normalization, he emigrated to Germany. In 1997 he returned to the Czech
Republic.
None of his anthologies stand out more than any other, his work is
considered a whole. Divis' frequent favorite topic was love of country,
the mother language and God.
Divis received the state prize for lifetime achievement in 1995.
Petra Machova/Katerina Kolarova
CULTURE IN BRIEF
* The Evening for Guatemala concert was held in Prague's La Casa Bleu
(La casa blu) April 8. Proceeds from the concert will support Guatemalan
Indians affected by Hurricane Mitch.
* The Swedish pop group The Cardigans performed in Prague April 9.
The group played songs from its new album Gran Turismo and also older
songs.
* Non-fiction author Miroslav Ivanov celebrated his 70th birthday
April 10. Ivanov studied literature and history at Charles University in
Prague. His most famous non-fiction works are monographs on Czech poet
Karel Hynek Macha, Hussite military leader Jan Zizka and about Nazi
Protectorate leader Reinhard Heydrich.
Stepan Etrych, Pavel Sladky, Michaela Prokopova/Katerina Kolarova
SPORTS
Hockey Extraleague: Both Semifinal Series Finish in Fifth Games
After the first scoreless game in playoff history, Vsetin players
advanced to the finals after penalty shots April 8. They ended the
dreams of Sparta Praha, which has not reached the final since the
break-up of Czechoslovakia.
Despite the loss, Sparta coaches were satisfied with the team's
performance. Vsetin did not win even one game at home in regulation time
and in the deciding fifth game was threatened by a one-on-one break by
Richard Zemlicka, Sparta Praha captain.
In the fourth game of the second semifinal series, Trinec turned
the score around from 1-4 to 5-4, but Tomas Chlubna was standing in the
crease when he scored the first goal of Trinec's streak. The deciding
goal was scored after an unlucky mistake by Zlin goalkeeper Jaroslav
Kames, who could not catch a shot from the middle of the ice.
Kames, out sick, was replaced by Richard Hrazdira for the fifth
game. Hrazdira also allowed one shocking goal, but then led Zlin to the
finals as Zlin defeated Trinec 3-2.
Hockey Extraleague Finals: Vsetin - Zlin
The battle between two neighboring northeastern Moravia cities,
Zlin and Vsetin from the Wallach region, started April 12. The first two
games in Vsetin were similar. Zlin played together, but Vsetin's
individual talents were greater, especially thanks to Martin Prochazka.
He scored a hat trick in the first game, and in the second one he added
another two goals and an assist.
The result of the first game, won by Vsetin 3-1, awoke Zlin for
a more spirited performance in the second match. However, they started
too late, as Vsetin led 3-0 after the first period. Zlin could not tie
the score even by pulling its goalie and lost 3-4. Vsetin needs only one
more victory to win its fifth title in a row.
Robin Rohrich/Mirek Langer
Extraleague Qualification Round: Joy for Znojmo, Sadness for Jihlava
The deciding seventh game of the best-of-seven qualification series
between the Extraleague's last-place Jihlava and first-league winner
Znojmo was played in Jihlava. The Znojmo Eagles surprisingly won 3-2 and
took the series 4-3. Znojmo's goals were scored by Havir, Kudelka and
Fink, Jihlava's goals by Morava and Polcar. Jihlava, 12-time league
champion, is relegated to the lower league after 42 years.
While Znojmo looks forward to the Extraleague, Jihlava's hockey
future is not clear. Dukla management had found a new general sponsor
for the next season of the extraleague, but now it will try at least to
maintain hockey in the town.
Alena Smrzova/Mirek Langer
National Teams Preparation: Czech Republic's First Loss to Slovakia
The Czech national hockey team started its preparation for the
World Championships with two games in Slovakia. The first game, in
Liptovsky Mikulas, was scheduled for the day after the Czechs returned
from Canada, where they played Canada six times, winning twice, tying
twice and losing twice. The team in Canada did not include players
taking part in the Extraleague's semifinals or foreign leagues. For the
Slovak games the team was joined by defender Jiri Vykoukal.
The Slovak win in the first game was decided by two goals at the end
of the game, the second one in an empty Czech net. In the second game,
the Czechs held on after two first-period goals. Results: Czech Republic
- Slovakia 2-4 (0-1, 1-0, 1-3) in Liptovsky Mikulas and 2-1 (2-0, 0-1,
0-0) in Zilina.
Petr Wilfer/Mirek Langer
Soccer: Favored Slavia Finishes with Debacle in Jablonec
Jablonec defeated Slavia unexpectedly, but deservedly in
a postponed game of the 20th round April 8. Jablonec striker Radim Holub
scored his first career hat trick and his performance was rated a 10 in
the daily Sport. Jablonec then prolonged its winning streak to three
games against Blsany and moved from 15th to 11th place in the standings.
Sparta Praha was surprised by the flawless defense and fast
counterattacks of Teplice. Martin Prohazska finally scored in the 90th
minute and in the overtime Horst Siegl converted the penalty shot.
Slavia has not lost its hopes of participating in next season's
Champions League, trying to advance from second place, which it took
with its win over Hradec Kralove.
Result of the 20th round postponed game: Jablonec - Slavia Praha
5-2.
Results of the 22nd round: Sparta Praha - Teplice 2-0, Zizkov
- Pribram 1-1, Brno - Ostrava 3-0, Olomouc - Drnovice 0-1, Karvina
- Opava 2-1, Plzen - Liberec 1-2, Jablonec - Blsany 1-0, Hradec Kralove
- Slavia Praha 0-2.
Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 46, 2. Slavia Praha 38, 3. Teplice 36,
4. Drnovice 35, 5. Olomouc 35, 6. Blsany 32, 7. Brno 30, 8. Hradec
Kralove 29, 9. Ostrava 28, 10. Liberec 27, 11. Jablonec 27, 12. Opava
27, 13. Zizkov 25, 14. Pribram 22, 15. Plzen 20, 16. Karvina 19.
Tomas Kohout/Mirek Langer
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Olymp Praha and Lapos Frenstat pod Radhostem are competing in the
women's volleyball extraleague finals, Olymp leads in the best-of-five
final series 2-0. In the semifinal series Olymp defeated Unis Brno 3-0
and Frenstat beat Palacky University Olomouc 3-1.
* Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice is the first team to advance to the
men's volleyball league final. It will meet either VSC Fatra Zlin or
Corps Usti nad Labem, which are tied in a best-of-five semifinal series
2-2. Budejovice defeated Dukla Liberec 3-0 in the semifinals.
* The men's handball league finished after a thrilling five-game
final between Frydek-Mistek and Plzen. Plzen managed to win the deciding
game 21-20 and won its second title in a row. Third place belongs to
Dukla Praha.
Petr Novy, Alena Smrzova/Mirek Langer
WEATHER: Clouds vs Sun 6-1
After April 8's promising start the sun fell suddenly into a deep
slump and was overwhelmed by the systematic attacks of the clouds, who
were playing the game in a very sporting mood. If the sun had not
launched April 10's counterattack with a warm and sunny day, the match
would have been lost before halftime of the match at noon April 11, when
temperatures almost reached 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, the clouds, assisted by talented reserves Rain, Cold and Wind,
took back the offensive, and the bad impression given by the Sun's very
poor performance was neither improved by sporadic breaks into its
rivals' territory nor even a frantic attack launched just before time
ran out in the game April 13. The cold wind was able to neutralize the
sun's efforts quickly. Let us hope that the Sun will recover and in the
next round will meet the high expectations of the weather sport
audience.
Vladimir Vorechovsky/Milan Smid
English version edited by Michael Bluhm
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