Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Carolina (English) No 298
CCCCC AA RRRRR OOOO LL II NN N AA
CC AA A RR R OO O LL II NNN N AA A
CC AA A RRRRR OO O LL II NN N N AA A
CC AAAAAA RR R OO O LL II NN NN AAAAAA
CCCCC AA A RR R OOOO LLLLLL II NN N AA A
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) 22112252, fax: (+420 2) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 298, Friday, July 31, 1998.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO WEEKS (JULY 15 - JULY 29)
President Vaclav Havel Names Social Democratic Government
The 19 members of Milos Zeman's minority government took their
vows before President Vaclav Havel July 22. Havel named Milos Zeman
prime minister July 17 after Prime Minister Josef Tosovsky and his
team resigned. The new prime minister pointed out that the new
goverment is entering an useasy situation marked by a decline in
economic performance and living standards and an increase in
unemployment.
In comparison with previous cabinets the new government has three
more members, because three vice chairmen without subordinate
departments who should act as coordinators. Zeman's government has
received criticism for its high average age of 54, which is 10 years
higher than in Tosovsky's government. According to the Czech daily MF
DNES the average age is the highest in comparison with previous
cabinets, including the last Communist government of Ladislav Adamec.
The new cabinet is also completely male, even though the Social
Democrats, while in the opposition, criticized the absence of women in
high politics. Zeman explained the absence of women in his Cabinet by
saying that during its first two years his team will be a "kamikaze
government," dealing with very difficult tasks. "I wouldn't want
talented female politicians in the Social Democrats to be
unnecessarily afflicted with a decline in their popularity and
prestige," said Zeman in the Czech daily Slovo July 20.
The new government has only one non-party member, Otakar Motejl,
chief justice of the Supreme Court, who is to lead the Ministry of
Justice. The respected lawyer defended dissidents during the Communist
regime. According to the Opposition Contract, the Social Democrats
have to consult with the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) the
participation of a non-party member in the government. ODS Chairman
Vaclav Klaus said he welcomed Motejl's naming. "If this is a sign that
the Social Democrats want racional politicians in their government,
then it is a good sign," said Klaus, according to MF DNES July 17.
Members of the Government:
Prime Minister: Milos Zeman, 53 years old
Vice Chairmen:
Legislation: Pavel Rychetsky, 54
Social Policy: Vladimir Spidla, 47
Economic Policy: Pavel Mertlik, 37
Foreign Security Policy: Egon Lansky, 63
Ministers:
Foreign Affairs: Jan Kavan, 51
Interior: Vaclav Grulich, 66
Defense: Vladimir Vetchy, 49
Justice: Otakar Motejl, 65
Finance: Ivo Svoboda, 50
Trade and Industry: Miroslav Gregr, 68
Agriculture: Jan Fencl, 56
Transportation: Antonin Peltram, 67
Regional Development: Jaromir Cisar, 68
Labor and Social Affairs: Spidla, 47
Health: Ivan David, 45
Education: Eduard Zeman, 50
Culture: Pavel Dostal, 55
Enviroment: Milos Kuzvart, 37
Without Portfolio: Jaroslav Basta, 50
All members of the new government have university educations
except Lansky, Kavan, Dostal and Basta. Lansky and Kavan emigrated
after 1968 and returned after 1989. The media also noted that seven
government members have a Communist past (Cisar, Dostal, Gregr,
Grulich, Rychetsky and both Zemans). Most of them left the party in
the years 1969-70.
Zeman Government Priorities in First Version of Program Statement
To fight against economic crime, to reform the public
administration and the social legislation, to accelarate the economic
development and to quicken the adaptation of the Czech legislation to
EU norms are the top five priorities of Prime Minister Milos Zeman's
government. This comes from the first version of government's program
statement, which was released by the Czech Press Agency (CTK) and
published July 25 in newspapers. The government discussed the draft
July 29 and should officially release it August 5.
Among the main measures of the Social Democrat government
mentioned in the first version are stepping up the fight against
economic crime (using the Italian model, the new cabinet intends to
undertake an Operation Clean Hands and will reform the laws on party
financing) and to reform public administration (to fulfill the
Constitution by establishing territorial administration units, to
de-politicize state administration and to create a civil service act).
The cabinet wants to revive economic growth by conducting active
industrial, agricultural and pro-export policy and by supporting
foreign investment. By the end of 2000 the government intends to
complete bank privatization and to invest the income in housing
construction.
The Social Democrats also want to adapt domestic legislation to
EU norms, to expand cooperation within the Central European region and
also to achieve a better relationship with Slovakia. The acceptance of
the European Council's Social Charter and implementation of the
mechanism of tri-partite collective bargaining should lead to social
peace even in difficult economic conditions.
Vaclav Klaus Elected Chairman of Parliament
Vaclav Klaus, the 57-year-old chairman of the Civic Democratic
Party (ODS), was elected chairman of Parliament in the first round of
voting (he received 135 votes of 200) July 17. The Social Democrats
(CSSD) and ODS have 137 seats together but two deputies abstained from
voting. His opponent, Stanislav Volak of the Freedom Union (US), was
supported by the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) and received 39 votes
(US and KDU-CSL have 39 seats together). The election of Klaus as
Parliament chairman and the naming of Social Democrat Chairman Milos
Zeman as prime minister were the basic terms of the Opposition
Contract signed by ODS and CSSD (for more information see Carolina
298)
The Vice Chairpersons of Parliament are Petra Buzkova, CSSD (32
years old, 125 votes), Stanislav Gross, CSSD (28, 124 votes), Ivan
Langer, ODS (31, 123 votes). Those not elected to the position were
Jan Kasal, KDU-CSL (40 votes), Vojtech Filip, Communist (33 votes) and
Ivan Pilip, US (21 votes). The proposal for a higher number of vice
chairmem was defeated. The previous Parliament had 5 vice chairmen.
Before Parliament holidays, deputies elected chairmen of 13
Parliament committees. From the proposed candidates only two Communist
deputies were not elected. The vote of confidence in the government
should take place at the session scheduled for August 18.
Floods in Eastern Bohemia
6 deaths and damages estimated at about 1.5 billion crowns were
caused by floods resulting from an intense downpour on the night of
July 23 in the eastern Bohemia region of Rychnov nad Kneznou.
Unlike last year's floods in the region, which were caused by
overflows from the Ticha and Divoka Orlice rivers, this year it was
the smaller streams of Zlaty Potok, Bela and Dedina which poured over
their banks as their levels rose by an average three meters/10 feet.
This year's floods affected some 20 communities and 1,200 homes.
President Vaclav Havel Has Another Operation
One day earlier than originally planned, Vaclav Havel had another
operation July 26. The date of the operation, during which
president's colostomy bag was removed and his large intestine closed,
was rescheduled at the president's request.
Professor Ernst Bodner, Austrian doctor and chief surgeon at the
Innsbruck University Hospital, performed the operation. He also
operated on Havel in April in Austria, where a vacationing Havel was
found to have a perforated intestine and required a colostomy outlet.
Even though the second operation was successful, the medical team led
by Bodner would not rule out post-operative complications. Because of
the president's previous respiratory problems (an operation in 1996),
his breathing is kept under close observation. He was connected to
a respiratory machine during the first hours after the operation,
a condition which might be required for several more days. The
president has a slightly increased temperature and his condition is
appropriate to a post-operative state, Bodner said.
Bodner, who was invited to the Czech Republic as a guest of the
Office of the Presidnet, has refused any compensation, saying he
considers operating on Havel an honor.
Former Prime Minister Josef Tosovsky Back to Czech National Bank
Josef Tosovsky, who served as prime minister for half a year
(from the fall of former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus' Cabinet until
July 17) is again the governor of the Czech National Bank. He had held
the post since 1993 and was named again June 22 in Prague by President
Vaclav Havel for the next six years.
FROM SLOVAKIA
Floods in Eastern Slovakia
About 40 deaths and 20 missing persons are the results of the
floods that hit the eastern Slovakia regions of Presov, Sabinov and
Levoca.
On July 20 local streams overflowed their banks in dozens of
regions, for example in the village of Jarovnice village
a three-meter/10-foot-high (some witneses claim almost six
meters/19.5 feet) and 50-meter/162.5-foot-wide wave swept around 30
houses. The most affected were the immediately destroyed Romany
(Gypsy) shanties on the bank of the Mala Svinka stream. Damages are
estimated at more than 1 billion Slovak crowns.
On the proposal of Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, the Czech
government decided July 29 to provide humanitarian aid to the flooded
areas in the amount of 10 million Czech crowns.
ECONOMY
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid July 31)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 18.975
Belgium 100 BEF 84.538
Great Britain 1 GBP 50.674
Denmark 1 DKK 4.574
Finland 1 FIM 5.734
France 1 FRF 5.200
Ireland 1 IEP 43.824
Italy 1000 ITL 17.671
Japan 100 JPY 21.697
Canada 1 CAD 20.496
Luxemburg 100 LUF 84.538
Hungary 100 HUF 14.337
Netherlands 1 NLG 15.463
Norway 1 NOK 4.104
New Zealand 1 NZD 15.933
Poland 1 PLN 9.019
Portugal 100 PTE 17.035
Austria 1 ATS 2.478
Greece 100 GRD 10.475
Germany 1 DEM 17.435
Slovakia 100 SKK 89.354
Slovenia 100 SIT 18.511
Spain 100 ESP 20.536
Sweden 1 SEK 3.905
Switzerland 1 CHF 20.822
USA 1 USD 30.882
ECU 1 XEU 34.348
IMF 1 XDR 41.225
CULTURE
Summer Film School Begins for 24th Time in Uherske Hradiste
The Czech-Slovak border region city of Uherske Hradiste has made
its traditional summer transformation into a center of film and
film-lovers, as the 24th Summer Film School will fill the city from
July 24-August 2. Six theaters, some of which had to be completely
reconstructed after last year's floods, will show films divided into
five sections: theater, the countryside, 1968, Mexican film and 100
years of Czech film.
Newly appointed Culture Minister Pavel Dostal made Uherske
Hradiste his first official visit, and he took part in the gala
opening of the festival. The approximately 2,000 visitors are also
attending discussion forums with directors Jiri Menzel, Juraj
Jakubisko, Petr Zelenka and Otomar Krejca.
The festival was held back by organizational flaws, such as the
complete catalog of festival films being made available to the public
two days after the festival began. One positive side of the festival
is, however, that many showings are preceded by an introduction from
the creator of the film.
SPORTS
Czech Tennis Players Fall from Fed Cup Elite
Without world number-two Jana Novotna and with an inexperienced
team, the Czech Republic lost to Italy 1-4 on Prague's Stvanice clay
courts July 25-26 and is relegated to lower group of the KB Fed Cup.
The Czechs should have been the favorites, but their team broke
down one week before the match. Chronically tired Adriana Gersi
canceled her participation first, then Novotna called from the United
States to say she would not be coming, either. Novotna recently won
three tournaments in a row. These tournaments, including Wimbledon, an
exhibition and duties in America tired her enough that she could not
play. Radka Bobkova, Kvetoslava Hrdlickova, Lenka Nemeckova and
Michaela Pastikova then played for the Czech team, but only Bobkova
had some experience in doubles in the Fed Cup.
Results: Bobkova - Farina 0-6, 4-6, Hrdlickova - Grande 6-7, 6-4,
4-6, Hrdlickova - Farina 2-6, 1-6, Bobkova - Grande 2-6, 6-3, 7-6,
Nemeckova, Pastikova - Lubiani, Perfetti 2-6, 6-4, 5-7.
While the Czechs were sinking, Slovakia advanced to the elite
group, defeating Belgium 4-1 in Bratislava.
Seven Athletes Represent Czech Republic in Goodwill Games
Czech athletes presented themselves in the Goodwill Games in New
York with mixed results. Track and field athletes participated first.
Sarka Kasparkova won the triple jump (14.76 meters), Tomas Dvorak
finished third in the decathlon (8,428 points), tops among Europeans.
Daniela Bartova disappointed, her 4 meters being enough for ninth
place.
Jan Rehula finished the triathlon surprisingly in fifth place.
Boxer Lukas Konecny (up to 63.5 kilograms/140 pounds) lost to Russian
World Championships runner-up Gvasaliya on a TKO despite leading 5-2
on points.
Beach volleyball players Celbova and Dosoudilova are yet perform
in the Goodwill Games.
Three Medals And World Record from Shooting World Championships
Miroslav Lizal, Miroslav Janus and Lubos Racansky broke the world
record in the running target discipline in the World Championships in
Barcelona. Their total of 1,154 points resulted in a gold medal. Lizal
finished second among individuals. A silver went to the skeet team of
Malek, Sychra and Bechynsky.
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Soccer national team member Pavel Kuka leaves German Bundesliga
champion 1. FC Kaiserslautern for 1. FC Nuremberg.
* Slovak coach Jozef Venglos will lead the fabled Scottish team
Celtic Glasgow next season. Venglos was the assistant coach to Vaclav
Jezek, when Czechoslovakia won the European Championships in 1976 and
14 years later they exchanged their roles in the World Championships
in Italy and led the team to the quarterfinals.
* The lone Czech player in American Major League Soccer, Lubos
Kubik, will play in the All-Star Game.
* Sarka Kasparkova won the triple jump (14.73 meters) in the Grand
Prix meeting in Nice, France.
* Cyclist Jan Svorada three times was among the first three
finishers in stages of the Tour de France, but scratched in the 16th
stage. He was then second in the green jersey competition (best
sprinter) behind Germany's Eric Zabel.
* Cyclist Pavel Buran won one title and three other medals in the
European Championships on the oval in Szczeczin, Poland.
* Three Nagano Olympics gold-medal winners signed contracts with NHL
teams - Jaroslav Spacek (Florida), Milan Hejduk (Colorado) and Josef
Beranek (Edmonton). Two more medalists will return to the Czech
extraleague - Vladimir Vujtek to Vitkovice and Martin Prochazka to
Vsetin.
WEATHER
After July 20 a tropical heat-wave arrived in the Czech Republic
with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius/95 degrees Fahrenheit,
in direct sunlight even up to 50 degrees Celsius/122 degrees
Fahrenheit, thermometers are exploding and records are falling,
although the absolute record of 40.2 degrees Celsius/105 degrees
Fahrenheit set July 27, 1983 remains unsurpassed.
This Carolina was prepared by Libuse Kolouchova and Lida Truneckova,
the culture section by Jan Kozanek and sports by Mirek Langer. It was
translated by Sofia Karakeva, Langer and Michael Bluhm.
The next Carolinas will be released August 14 and August 28. The
editor-in-chief of both editions will be Milan Smid (for more
information see the schedule in Carolina 296).
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The
subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. Send them
please to the address:
CAROLINA@cuni.cz
To subscribe to CAROLINA news you send an e-mail message to the address
LISTSERV@listserv.cesnet.cz
The text of message for subscription of the English version must be:
SUBSCRIBE CAR-ENG First name Last name
or for the Czech version
SUBSCRIBE CAR-CS First name Last name
To delete your subscription from the list of subscribers you send
the following message to the address LISTSERV@listserv.cesnet.cz:
SIGNOFF CAR-ENG or SIGNOFF CAR-CS
We ask you not to send automatic replies to our list. You can
temporarily stop receiving of Carolina by sending the command:
SET CAR-ENG NOMAIL
All Listserv commands should be sent to the address:
LISTSERV@listserv.cesnet.cz
Please, don't send commands SUB, SIGNOFF, NOMAIL etc to the address
CAR-CS@listserv.cesnet.cz or CAR-ENG@listserv.cesnet.cz!
