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Carolina (English) No 350
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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 350, Friday, November 5, 1999.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (October 27 - November 3)
President Honors 26 Outstanding Individuals
On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the founding of
Czechoslovakia October 28, 1918, President Vaclav Havel honored 26
people in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. In his speech, Havel
talked about the Czech Republic's integration into the EU.
The Order of T.G. Masaryk, named for the first president of the
former Czechoslovakia and given for significant merit in promoting
democracy and human rights, was awarded to Oldrich Cerny, who in exile
supported Czech dissidents. The same award was given posthumously to
Josef Karel Matocha, who after 1948 defended the church and the people
and was imprisoned, and also posthumously to Premysl Janyr, political
prisoner after the 1948 Communist coup and exile author.
The Medal for Heroism was given to Josef Slavik, who found a tragic
death during the floods in 1998 in the Pulice village while trying to
warn others, and also posthumously to Colonel Karel Pavlik, commander of
the Frydek-Mistek army unit that resisted the Nazi army of occupation in
1939.
Havel awarded the Medal for Merit to screenplay author Jan
Prochazka, violinist Josef Suk, Jara Cimrman Theater co-founders
Ladislav Smoljak and Zdenek Sverak, globetrotters Miroslav Zikmund and
Jiri Hanzelka and hockey coach Ivan Hlinka.
Jaroslav Svelch/Sofia Karakeva
Police Again Sides with Neo-Nazis
During celebrations of October 28 almost 400 members of the
National Front (Vlastenecka Fronta) and the National Protest (Narodni
odpor) surrounded the statue of Jan Zizka on Prague's Vitkov hill. The
air was full of chauvinism and xenophobia around the equestrian statue
of the one-eyed general who led Bohemian forces in the Hussite Wars.
Members of the hate groups questioned the existence of the Holocaust and
cried slogans like Sieg Heil.
At the same time about 300 people from the Czechoslovak Anarchist
Federation gathered in Prague's Tesnov for an anti-fascist demonstration
against racism and xenophobia. When demonstrators decided to march to
Vitkov they were surrounded by the police SWAT teams and Prague City
Police, who stopped them from leaving. Demonstrators disbanded and after
some time re-assembled in Peace Square (namesti Miru). After a few
speeches, the demonstration began a march downtown. The police once
again stopped them, this time to allow the march of the neo-Nazis to
proceed - under the reasoning that the neo-Nazis had a permit for their
gathering. After the neo-Nazi march passed by, police surrounded the
anti-fascist demonstrators and attacked them and take them away in
paddywagons. The neo-Nazis were allowed to end their successful and
peaceful day at the statue of Saint Wenceslas in Wenceslas Square.
Among the anti-fascists was Lukas Rychetsky, student of the John
Huss Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague and the son of
Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Rychetsky. Pavel Rychetsky said part of the
police sympathizes with the neo-Nazis. The Government asked Interior
Minister Vaclav Grulich to re-open discussions on abolishing neo-Nazi
organizations.
Grulich sent letters to such organizations and warned them they
would be disbanded if they continue with similar activities. However,
only officially registered organizations can be disbanded, while the
most-active neo-Nazi organization, the National Protest (Narodni odpor),
is not registered.
Jakub Trnka/Sofia Karakeva
Four-Party Coalition Tries to Dump Government
The Four-Party Coalition (the Christian Democrats, the Freedom
Union, the Civic Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Union) are
trying to arrange for a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies, to
end the term of Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Cabinet. To start the
process, the Four-Party Coalition needs the support of 50 deputies in
the 200-seat chamber, but the coalition has 37 representatives there.
The chairmen of the parties called on dissatisfied Social Democrats and
Civic Democratic Party deputies to join the petition. To overthrow the
Government, 101 deputies must stand against the Cabinet.
Civic Democratic Party and Chamber of Deputies Chairman Vaclav
Klaus rejected the initiative, saying that it is not possible to
overthrow the Government without a clear vision of a new administration.
He also said the coalition had changed its stance that it is impossible
to negotiate about a new government without first canceling the
Opposition Contract.
Jan Skala/Jakub Jirovec
Deputy Prime Minister Lansky Resigns
The second member of Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Government to
leave office is Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Policy and Security
Egon Lansky, who was also responsible for country's preparation for the
European Union. Zeman announced Lansky's resignation October 28 at
a meeting with President Vaclav Havel.
Lansky will resign after he comes back from the hospital, where he
has been because of unspecified health problems. Havel will not be able
to accept the resignation for another 14 days, because he is on vacation
in Portugal.
The official reason for Lansky's resignation is health problems,
but the media have speculated about other reasons. Lansky illegally
opened a bank account in Austria without the Czech National Bank's
permission, and then received about 10,000 USD in questionable
circumstances related to a state deal. Lansky also failed to coordinate
the work of ministers responsible for legislative harmonization demanded
by the European Union.
Lansky's agenda relating to the European Union will probably be
taken over by Deputy Foreign Minister Pavel Telicka.
David Mirejovsky/Jakub
Jirovec
Prime Minister's Adviser Accused of Blackmail
One of the biggest scandals to hit the Social Democrat Government
broke out when Prime Minister Milos Zeman's adviser Jaroslav Novotny and
Foreign Minister Jan Kavan were accused of blackmailing Vaclav Hruby,
former director of the convention center at Stirin Castle. Kavan fired
Hruby in September, citing bad management. Hruby claims, however, that
Novotny tried to blackmail Hruby into creating false documents to show
former Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec had corrupted journalists. Zeman
said in June that Zieleniec had corrupted journalists, which Zeman said
he found out from Kavan. Neither Zeman nor Kavan have yet come up with
any proof of the charge, although both have repeatedly promised they
would.
Hruby October 27 went public with recordings of three phone calls
from Novotny in August and September. Novotny openly talks about
blackmailing here. "... when you do, what, between us, can of course be
called blackmailing..., you will be let alone, have peace and will even
get some cash," said Novotny on the tape according to a transcription in
the daily Lidove noviny. Later Novotny claims Kavan knows about the
deal. Kavan denies that and, just like Zeman, claims he knows nothing at
all about the episode.
Some Social Democrats are beginning to call for an explanation of
the whole affair. Novotny did not deny the authenticity of calls in his
statement, questioning only their completeness. Hruby said nothing was
cut out of the tapes. Novotny claims he was framed.
Jakub Tronicek/Ondrej Maly
After deadline: At Zeman's urging, Novotny resigned.
Sverma Statue Taken down
Disputes over the Prague statue of Communist Party official Jan
Sverma ended November 2. At 7 a.m., a crane arrived at Stefanik Bridge
(Sverma Bridge until 1997) and took it down. Representatives of
Prague's first district decided to remove the statue two years ago, and
first district Mayor Jan Burgermeister said the council was just
fulfilling its promise, Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Prague
representatives of Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM)
expressed their disapproval with the act. Zeman said the dismantling was
a "political pathology." KSCM Prague Chairman Jan Dolejs said the
removal was an act of cultural barbarism and intolerance. "We do not
consider the removal final act and we will try to change this decision.
The statue should remain in a dignified and public place," said Dolejs
in a proclamation sent to City Hall.
Sverma's statue was seen by some as a symbol of the era of
normalization in the 70's after the Soviet-led invasion, while others
reject any connection to that era. Sverma (1901-1944) joined the
Czechoslovak Communist Party in 1921. He worked closely with former
Czechoslovak President Klement Gottwald, often arguing with him over
Sverma's interpretation of Komintern policy according to Czechoslovak
democratic traditions. Sverma had to express self-criticism, so he could
stay on as editor-in-chief of the party daily Rude pravo until the party
was banned in 1936. Sverma died in 1944 in combat during the Slovak
National Uprising.
Tereza Tesarikova/Ondrej Maly
NEWS IN BRIEF
* The health of former Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) Chairman Josef
Lux, who underwent a bone-marrow transplant at the end of September in
Seattle, is stable. Lux, who was released from the hospital in Seattle
into intensive homecare two weeks ago, still must take care to avoid
infection. According to his physician Kris Doney, nothing conclusive
will be known for another six months.
* Former members of the ruling Czech Social Democrat Party (CSSD)
from the Teplice and Vyskov regions established a new political party
during the weekend of October 30-31 - the Czech Social Democrat Movement
(CSDH). Pavel Svoboda was elected chairman by delegates of the inaugural
congress. The party's program could be briefly characterized as "social
policy for the widest groups of the population with essential elements
of Slavic solidarity." The main impetus for establishing the new party
was, according to the chairman's statement, the fact that the Social
Democrats did not fulfill the promises it gave to its voters.
* Some 17 per cent of poll respondents are satisfied with the
development of the Czech Republic after 1989. It is the lowest figure of
all surrounding post-communist countries. The results of the poll, taken
by Vienna's Fessel & Gfk Institute, were published recently in Brussels.
Twenty-six per cent of Polish respondents, 24 per cent of Bulgarians,
23 per cent of Hungarians, 22 per cent of Romanians and 18 per cent of
Slovaks said the change of political systems met their expectations.
Petra Kovacova and Gabriela Bobkova/Simon Dominik
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Zeman Offers Latvians Military Airplanes and Trolley-Buses
During his visit to Riga from October 31 to November 2, Prime
Minister Milos Zeman began negotiations that should lead to the sale of
Czech military aircraft to the Latvian Army. The Latvians, led by Prime
Minister Andris Skel, said they are pleased they can consult matters of
national security with the Czech Republic, particularly now that the
Czech Republic is a member of NATO. Zeman also offered Czech
trolley-buses and other transportation vehicles to Latvia. At the end of
his visit he said Latvia had a great chance to become the center of
Baltic trade.
The annual volume of Czech exports to Latvia is 63 million USD. It
exceeds that of import from Latvia about ten times. Zeman said the Czech
Republic exports more to Latvia than into China or India. Latvia, with
a population 2.5 million, is a dynamic country still getting out from
under the former Soviet Union - the last Russian soldier left Latvia
last month. Because of the Asian and Russian crises, Latvia's economic
growth declined from 8 per cent in 1997 to this year's 1.2 per cent.
Martin Rusek/Simon Dominik
FROM SLOVAKIA
October 28 Not a Memorable Day in Slovakia
Each anniversary of the founding of the former Czechoslovakia
October 28, 1918, sparks debate about the relevance of this day for
Slovak history. Peter Bohunicky, assemblyman for the Party of the
Democratic Left, initiated a bill to make the day a public holiday. The
National Assembly modified the motion, proposing October 28 to be
a memorial day but not a holiday. However, the National Assembly did not
have a quorum October 29 and could not vote, leaving the issue
unresolved.
Some critics of making October 28 a holiday prefer instead October
30, 1918, when the Slovak nation declared in the Martin Declaration its
willingness to join the new Czechoslovak state. Opposition parties claim
there is no reason to celebrate those days at all, because cohabitation
in the Czechoslovak state favored the Czechs.
This year's debate was concluded by an official wreath-laying
ceremony October 30 at the statues of Czechoslovak founding fathers of
Slovak descent Tomas Garrigue Masaryk and Milan Rostislav Stefanik.
Andrea Slovakova/Milan Smid
Slovakia 10 Years after the End of Communism
During a lecture called Slovakia 10 Years After the Revolution held
in this school November 2, former actress and Slovak presidential
candidate Magda Vasaryova said sophisticated bilateral relations are
a necessary condition for Slovakia to join NATO and the EU. She also
said such relations were a main priority of Slovak foreign policy.
Vasaryova highlighted relations between Slovakia and Ukraine,
because their development is one of the factors which will determine the
acceptance of Slovakia to NATO. She also cited relations with the
Balkans, where Slovakia, with the help of the US, is participating in
the renewal of public initiatives. In regard to the current question of
Slovak-Vatican relations, she expressed positive sentiments and said
both sides needed to compromise.
In discussion with students, Vasaryova, head of the Slovak Foreign
Policy Society, said Slovak relations with Hungary are very satisfactory
thanks to the present political leadership of Hungary. In relation to
Russia she criticized long-term agreements for gas and oil delivery.
In reference to relations with the Czech Republic, Vasaryova said
the case of import duties imposed in Slovakia, where the Czech-Slovak
Customs Union Council was informed 24 hours before the duties became
valid, did not correspond to the special relationship the two countries
enjoy.
Andrea Slovakova/Veronika Hankusova
ECONOMY
Unemployment Rate Nearly Steady
The number of unemployed people has been growing more slowly in
recent months. The unemployment rate for October was 9.2 per cent, the
September rate was 9 per cent. The Government has been giving financial
support to large companies and foreign investors are offering jobs.
Labor Office officials said they were surprised that companies are only
slowly firing redundant employees. Economists expect the unemployment
rate to reach 10 per cent by the end of the year.
Jaroslav Svelch/Petra Kovacova
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid November 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 36.745
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 22.372
Great Britain 1 GBP 57.660
Denmark 1 DKK 4.943
Japan 100 JPY 33.413
Canada 1 CAD 23.889
IMF 1 XDR 47.610
Hungary 100 HUF 14.374
Norway 1 NOK 4.445
New Zealand 1 NZD 17.950
Poland 1 PLN 8.159
Greece 100 GRD 11.188
Slovakia 100 SKK 84.308
Slovenia 100 SIT 18.680
Sweden 1 SEK 4.234
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.851
USA 1 USD 35.065
Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 18.787
Belgium 100 BEF 91.088
Finland 1 FIM 6.180
France 1 FRF 5.602
Ireland 1 IEP 46.657
Italy 1000 ITL 18.977
Luxemburg 100 LUF 91.088
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.674
Portugal 100 PTE 18.328
Austria 1 ATS 2.670
Spain 100 ESP 22.084
CULTURE
Semafor Theater Celebrates 40th Anniversary
A gala evening full of reminiscences of the past 40 years of the
existence of Prague's Semafor Theater took place October 30 in the
Karlin Music Theater (Hudebni divadlo Karlin). Besides Jiri Suchy, the
leader of the theater whose name is inextricably connected to the
theater's history, many other Czech celebrities took part in the
celebration. Songs were performed by Waldemar Matuska, Karel Gott,
Pavlina Filipovska, Hana Hegerova, Eva Pilarova and Ferdinand Havlik and
his Big Band. The audience, which included President Vaclav Havel and
his wife, saw scenes from contemporary plays The Bouquet (Kytice),
A Well-Paid Walk (Dobre placena prochazka) or My Heart Is a Zimmer Frei
(Me srdce je Zimmer-frei).
The Semafor Theater opened October 30, 1959, with the play A Man
from the Attic (Clovek z pudy). No one at that time knew that the
theater's leaders, Suchy and Jiri Slitr, would create a comic theater to
follow the famed tradition of the Liberated Theater (Osvobozene
divadlo), a stage which became a legend between the wars thanks to Jan
Werich and Jiri Voskovec. The golden era of the Semafor Theater ended
with the death of Slitr at Christmas 1969. Suchy did not let the theater
die, though, and began a new series of works with his partner, Jitka
Molavcova.
Stars whose origins were the Semafor stage usually broke with the
theater once they became famous. Some said Suchy did not want to lose
his position as leader, others said the artists wanted more than the
theater could give them.
After 1989, the theater broke up into three troupes, but the
quality of the productions sank quickly. Suchy, however, remains the
centerpiece of the theater's history and the texts he wrote for the
theater's songs are still sung by all generations today.
Alzbeta Trousilova/Daniela Vrbova
Film Version of Olbracht Short Story
Karel Kachyna, well-known Czech director, has created the new film
Hanele based on Ivan Olbracht's famed story, The Sad Eyes of Hana
Karadzicova. The story of a girl from an orthodox Jewish family who
falls in love with a non-believing Jew has fascinated Czech directors.
The late master Frantisek Vlacil also intended to use Olbracht's story
and Kachyna has once directed a similar plot in the film movie The Cow
(Krava), which was very successful.
Michal Pospisil/Zuzana Janeckova
Stepanka Hanicincova Died
Stepanka Hanicincova, writer and host of childern's television
shows, died October 27 at the age of 68.
Hanicincova studied acting and dramaturgy at the Czech Academy of
Theater Arts. She worked in Czechoslovak Television from 1953, creating
a specific genre for several generations of children. The marriage of
her daughter to a Charter 77 signatory kept her out of television work
from 1981 until 1989, after which she returned to the screen and to the
airwaves.
Michal Pospisil/Zuzana Janeckova
CULTURE IN BRIEF
* On October 27 the members of the Czech Film and Television Academy
chose as the Czech candidate for this year's Oscar for best
foreign-language film The Return of Idiot (Navrat Idiota) by director
and screenwriter Sasa Gedeon. The film, which has won international
awards, defeated finalists Cozy Nests (Pelisky) from Jan Hrebejk and All
My Beloved Ones (Vsichni moji blizci) of Matej Minac. Slovak director
Minac's film was chosen to represent Slovakia.
Michal Pospisil/Jaroslav Sauer
* From October 27-30 the third Jihlava Documentary Film Festival took
place in Jihlava's Dukla Theater. The festival, created thanks to the
initiative of a local high school, has a good reputation among Czech
filmgoers and critics. For the first time, films from various countries
were presented by their creators. The Kodak Vision Audience Award was
won by The Day of Bread by Sergei Dvortsevoi, a Russian filmmaker. The
festival's web site is www.dokument-festival.cz.
Marek Uhlir/Jaroslav Sauer
SPORTS
Champions League: Sparta Wins Group G
In its last game in the Champions League, Sparta Praha defeated
Spartak Moscow 5-2 November 3 and won the group. It earned 12 points and
did not lose a game.
Sparta started the game in an excellent fashion - Vratislav Lokvenc
opened the scoring in the 42nd second and after Tomas Rosicky's goal
Sparta led 2-0 in the 11th minute. But it could not keep its lead until
the end of the half - Viktor Bulatov and Artem Bezrodnyi tied the score
at 2-2. However, the second half started just like the first one - with
a Sparta goal, this time from Milan Fukal. Moscow's Andrei Tikhonov then
deflected Vladimir Labant's shot with his hand, was sent off and Labant
converted the penalty. The last goal was registered on Labant's free
kick and Lokvenc's header.
Dita Kristanova and Alzbeta Trousilova/Mirek Langer
Soccer League: Viktoria Zizkov Concedes Five Goals in Pribram
Hradec Kralove, the last-place team in the soccer standings,
surprised Brno 2-1 in a preplayed game of the top league's 12th round.
Sparta defeated Blsany 3-1 in an game dominated by offense, while
Slavia tied Teplice 1-1. The gap between the two leading teams in the
standings closed to one point.
Zizkov fell into last place in the standings after a loss in
Pribram. Both of Zizkov's goals were scored by former Pribram striker
Kincl, but his former team won 5-2.
Results of the 12th round: Brno - Hradec Kralove 1-2, Teplice
- Slavia Praha 1-1, Sparta Praha - Blsany 3-1, Pribram - Zizkov 5-2,
Opava - Drnovice 2-0, Jablonec - Olomouc 0-0, Ceske Budejovice - Liberec
0-1, Bohemians Praha - Ostrava 0-0.
Standings: 1. Slavia Praha 28, 2. Sparta Praha 27, 3. Drnovice 20,
4. Ceske Budejovice 20, 5. Bohemians Praha 18, 6. Teplice 18, 7. Ostrava
17, 8. Liberec 15, 9. Opava 13, 10. Pribram 13, 11. Jablonec 13, 12.
Olomouc 12, 13. Brno 12, 14. Hradec Kralove 12, 15. Blsany 11, 16.
Zizkov 8.
Dita Kristanova/Mirek Langer
Hockey Extraleague: Litvinov Marches on
Fans' interest centered on Vladimir Vujtek and Martin Prochazka's
comebacks from the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers. Vujtek will play for Sparta
Praha and Prochazka will return to Vsetin.
First-place Plzen was beaten by Litvinov 1-6 in the 17th round.
Robert Kysela and Jan Alinc each scored two goals. Trinec players were
evidently suffering no ill effects from the illness that caused them to
postpone two games: they defeated the reigning champion Vsetin 8-3. With
a pair of 2-2 ties, Ceske Budejovice and Zlin prolonged their home
unbeaten streaks.
The first two scoreless ties of the season were recorded in the
18th round in Plzen and Kladno. Vitkovice has not won in 10 games. On
the contrary, Litvinov has not lost in nine games - both its goals in
a 2-2 tie against Sparta were scored by Robert Reichel, while Sparta's
Jaroslav Hlinka scored also twice.
Results of the 17th round: Trinec - Vsetin 8-3, Zlin - Znojmo 2-2,
Karlovy Vary - Vitkovice 5-1, Slavia Praha - Kladno 3-2, Litvinov
- Plzen 6-1, Ceske Budejovice - Sparta Praha 2-2, Pardubice - Havirov
2-1.
Results of the 18th round: Sparta Praha - Litvinov 2-2, Plzen
- Slavia Praha 0-0, Karlovy Vary - Zlin 2-7, Havirov - Ceske Budejovice
1-0, Znojmo - Trinec 7-2, Kladno - Vitkovice 0-0, Vsetin - Pardubice
5-3.
Standings: 1. Plzen 26, 2. Zlin 25, 3. Vsetin 23, 4. Litvinov 22,
5. Sparta Praha 20, 6. Ceske Budejovice 18, 7. Trinec 17, 8. Slavia
Praha 16, 9. Karlovy Vary 15, 10. Znojmo 15, 11. Vitkovice 14, 12.
Pardubice 14, 13. Kladno 13, 14. Havirov 10.
Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer
WEATHER:
Although it's November, the weather is still bearable and
temperatures continue to reach 10 degrees Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit.
That is somewhat unusual for this season, because the long-term average
temperature is just more than 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Our eastern neighbor is enjoy unseasonably warm weather, too:
meteorologists in Bratislava recorded temperatures of about 13 degrees
Celsius/55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Petra Kovacova/Petra Kovacova
English version edited by Michael Bluhm
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