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Carolina (English) No 407
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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 ISSN 121-5040
tel: (+4202) 22112252, fax: (+4202) 22112219
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 407, Friday, February 23, 2001.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (February 14 - February 21)
American Lawyer Ed Fagan Starts Fighting against Temelin
American attorney Edward Fagan said he will get the Temelin nuclear
power plant closed. At a press conference in Wullowitz, Austria February
19 Fagan gave an ultimatum of March 20 for the Czech Energy Company
(CEZ) and Westinghouse (which refitted the Soviet-planned plant) to
provide complete documentation on the plant. The Czech and Austrian
governments have an agreement in place calling for making all
documentation available except that which is subject to trade secrecy.
It is unclear how Fagan plans to achieve his stated goal. He is not
licensed as a lawyer in the Czech Republic and as such cannot argue
before Czech courts. Fagan gained fame representing Holocaust victims'
relatives against Swiss banks and negotiating compensation in Germany
and Austria for former forced laborers in World War II. He recently
represented the relatives of victims of the funicular explosion in
Kaprun in the Austrian Alps.
Fagan taking the Temelin case was front-page news for many Czech
dailies, three of which February 20 used the same photo of Fagan from
the previous day's press conference - a close-up of Fagan with his mouth
wide open and a fiery expression in his eyes.
Petr Frinta/Veronika Hankusova
NATO General Secretary Visits Prague
NATO General Secretary George Robertson arrived on an official
two-day visit to Prague February 21. He visited President Vaclav Havel
in hospital (see below). He later met with Foreign Minister Jan Kavan
and Defense Minister Vladimir Vetchy. The next day he was to meet
Chamber of Deputies Chairman Vaclav Klaus and Senate Chairman Petr
Pithart, and also with Prime Minister Milos Zeman.
Robertson mainly discussed the performance of the Czech Army in
NATO and the planned purchase of supersonic fighters. NATO is said to
oppose the purchase strongly, and many local commentators see the
purchase as a waste of about 120 billion crowns desperately needed
elsewhere in the army and the budget. Robertson also discussed the
future enlargement of the alliance, its relations with Russia and
Ukraine (before arriving in Prague Robertson paid a visit to Moscow) and
also the NATO summit to be held next autumn in Prague.
Vera Vonavkova/Sofia Karakeva
Zelezny: I Can Pay 27 Million USD, But...
Vladimir Zelezny, general director and co-owner of the most popular
Czech TV channel TV NOVA, said at a press conference February 20 that he
is ready to respect the verdict of the International Court of
Arbitration and will return 27 million USD to his former business
parter, Central European Media Enterprises (CME, see Carolina 406).
However, some of Zelezny's remarks at the press conference indicate
he is trying to find a way to avoid payment. For example, Zelezny said
he wants CME to upheld its obligation in the verdict - CME must return
Zelezny shares in the company CNTS, but Zelezny said he wants shares
with a corresponding value. Shares of CNTS are almost worthless because
the company ceased to be the exclusive service provider to TV NOVA after
Zelezny cut them off. In the meantime, Zelezny's company CET 21 made
a counterclaim of about 30 million USD against CME in the Czech courts.
CME published the arbitration court's decision on the Internet at
the address http://www.cnts.cz.
Petr Frinta/Milan Smid
President's Health Stable
President Vaclav Havel's health worsened during the night of
February 18. Havel has been hospitalized in Prague-Stresovice's Central
Military Hospital since February 12. Because of health problems the
president had to cut short his visit to Kuwait (see Carolina 406).
Two days later, the president's temperature dropped and his
condition improved. Havel is breathing by himself and will remain in the
hospital until the end of the week. After his release Havel will undergo
rehabilitation at the Lany Chateau.
Dana Zlatohlavkova/Sofia Karakeva
NEWS IN BRIEF
* After 10 years a new census will be taken from the end of February
till mid-March. According to a poll taken by the Public Opinion Research
Center (STEM) for Czech Television and Czech Radio, 61 per cent of
respondents do not believe personal data will be kept secret, 42 per
cent will not answer all the questions and about 50 per cent consider
the census necessary. It is not possible, though, to estimate how people
will fill out the questionnaires, because the majority has not yet seen
the forms. More importantly, the census is required by law, with a fine
of 10,000 crowns for anyone who refuses to answer. According to the
poll, 91 per cent know a census will be taken.
* Deputies, senators and employees of the National Property Fund
should without extra compensation represent the interests of the state
on boards of companies under majority control of the state. This
amendment to the Conflict of Interest Act was approved by the government
February 14. It is expected that the Chamber of Deputies will discuss
the bill in a heated atmosphere. Many politicians come into tens of
thousands of crowns each month thanks to their positions on various
boards of directors and supervisory boards.
* Vlastimil Tlusty (Civic Democratic Party, ODS) and Finance Minister
Pavel Mertlik (Social Democrats, CSSD) discussed February 20 fulfillment
of the Opposition Contract. Tlusty said the Social Democrats are not
fulfilling some of the contract. Mertlik, on the other hand, said his
party is fulfilling the agreement in principle. An expert group
representing both is working on an economic analysis, which, according
to ODS, will decide the future of the Opposition Contract.
Vera Vonavkova/Sofia Karakeva
FROM SLOVAKIA
Ludovit Kanik New Chairman of Ruling Coalition's Democratic Party
After the resignation of Jan Langos, former Czechoslovak Interior
Minister, from the post of chairman of the Democratic Party (DS), the
government-coalition partner will be led by Ludovit Kanik. He was
elected by the party congress in Banska Bystrica February 18.
Originally, incumbent Vice Chairman Frantisek Sebej won the
election as party chair. In the battle for first vice chairman, however,
Kanik beat out Langos. Because Kanik is the leader of a party faction
opposed to Langos and Sebej and is unacceptable to previous party
leadership, Sebej chose to resign his new post. In a new vote Kanik was
elected chairman. Apart from former party leaders, five of the party's
six legislators in the National Assembly voiced their disapproval of
Kanik. As such, the future of Kanit and the party remain unclear.
FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF
* Guenter Verheugen, EU commissar for expansion, is on a three-day
visit to Slovakia. He will of course talk with Slovak politicians about
joining the EU, but he will also visit several Romany communities in the
Kosice region.
News from Slovakia by Zdenek Sloboda/Veronika Hankusova
ECONOMY
"Big Bang" to Save Czech Economy
Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr presented the government an ambitious
plan to accelerate growth in the Czech economy February 14. The plan,
called Strategy for Strenghtening Economic Growth, calls for an
injection of 264.7 billion crowns. This money should increase growth to
4 per cent this year. In 2002 growth should reach 5 per cent to 6 per
cent.
Massive support would go to the 13 regions with the highest rates
of unemployment. Investments would support industry, export,
transportation, housing construction and the systematic elimination of
past environmental damage. The strategy, labelled the "Big Bang," is
very financially demanding and many experts called the plan unrealistic,
even megalomaniac. Gregr plans to take money from budget,
transportation, housing and environmental funds and mainly from EU
subsidies, as well as privatization proceeds, bank loans and government
bonds. The government approved the program and so did union leaders.
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* The Office for the Protection of Economic Competition approved the
merger of the Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka,
CSOB) and the Investment and Postal Bank (Investicni a postovni banka,
IPB). The office permitted the creation of the largest domestic bank,
which will control 30 per cent of all personal deposits and mortgages.
According to the office, it approved the merger to stabilize the banking
sector and to create greater competition.
* The Japanese investment bank Nomura, former largest shareholder of
the Investment and Postal Bank (Investicni a Postovni banka, IPB) filed
a suit February 14 against the Czech Republic at the European Court for
Human Rights in Strasburg for violation of Nomura's rights during the
forced administration of IPB and the following sale of the bank to the
Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka, CSOB). Nomura
wants 30.5 billion crowns as compensation for damages. The Finance
Ministry rejects the accusations. "In the IPB case all state
institutions acted in accordance with valid laws and international
agreements," said Finance Ministry speaker Libor Vacek.
* Environment Minister Milos Kuzvart February 17 permitted an
exception for building a controversial segment of D8 highway through
a nature preserve. D8 will connect Prague and Dresden in 2005. The issue
has been fought over for years by ecological organizations that did not
agree with building the highway through the Central Bohemian Mountains
(Ceske Stredohori) nature preserve. Kuzvart's exception was warmly
accepted by officials in Usti nad Labem, but ecological activists have
not given up. "We will appeal to the court and EU authorities," said
spokesman for the Children of the Earth (Deti Zeme) movement Jindrich
Petrlik. The minister permitted construction last year in July. It was
stopped by activists, who appealed the decision.
Economy news by David Pilar/Ondrej Maly
Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid February 23)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 34.695
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 20 008
Great Britain 1 GBP 55.238
Denmark 1 DKK 4.648
Japan 100 JPY 33.009
Canada 1 CAD 24.948
IMF 1 XDR 49.410
Hungary 100 HUF 13.026
Norway 1 NOK 4.214
New Zealand 1 NZD 16.374
Poland 1 PLN 9.198
Slovakia 100 SKK 79.226
Slovenia 100 SIT 16.107
Sweden 1 SEK 3.851
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.670
USA 1 USD 38.333
Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 17.739
Belgium 100 BEF 86.007
Finland 1 FIM 5.835
France 1 FRF 5.289
Ireland 1 IEP 44.054
Italy 1000 ITL 17.918
Luxemburg 100 LUF 86.007
Netherlands 1 NLG 15.744
Portugal 100 PTE 17.306
Austria 1 ATS 2.521
Greece 100 GRD 10.182
Spain 100 ESP 20.852
CULTURE
Valerie Zawadska Voted Most Popular Television Personality in 2000
Winners in the 10th annual TyTy popularity contest for television
personalities were announced February 17. There were no big surprises,
although the number of Television Weekly (Tydenik Televize) readers who
participated in the poll rose to about 148,000 - about one-third more
than last year.
The conservative taste of the Czech viewers was confirmed by the
results. Announcer Marie Retkova (Czech Television, CT) won for the
third time, entertainer Petr Novotny (TV NOVA) and dubbers Miroslav
Moravec and Valerie Zawadska also won their third awards. Zawadska was
also the top vote-getter in the poll. The category for hosts was ruled
by TV NOVA. Pavel Zuna won among the newscasters for the second time,
Radek John as current-affairs host enjoyed his sixth victory and and
sportscaster Pavel Poulicek was voted the best for the fifth time.
There were also no surprises among the actors and actresses. Recent
50-year-old Miroslav Donutil received the prize for the fourth time and
Jirina Bohdalova for the eight time. As usual, Lucie Bila reigned among
female singers (for the seventh time) and male singer of the year could
not have been anyone else but communist-era legend Karel Gott, who has
won this award in each of the 10 years it has been given. Only Banana
Fish (CT) made waves in the calm waters of the ceremony, being chosen as
show of the year for the first time.
Director Ivo Paukert entered into the Hall of Fame to a standing
ovation. He was brought to prominence as director of New Year's Eve
programs, Televariete (with Jirina Bohdalova and Vladimir Dvorak),
Videostop and other variety shows. The host of the ceremony, aired on
Czech Television from Prague's Karlin Theater, was Marek Eben.
Gabriela Pribilova/Pavla Krizkova
SPORTS
Czechs Do Poorly in Nordic Skiing World Championships
Katerina Neumannova returned home early from the nordic skiing
World Championships. After finishing ninth in the opening 15k classic
race she fell ill with a virus. She did not take part in the
classic/freestyle combination and returned home February 20. Kamila
Rajdlova finished 29th in the combined event and 20th in the 10k
classic.
Although he failed in the jumping events, Ladislav Rygl finished
sixth in the nordic combined. The Czech Republic finished seventh in the
team competition.
Of four Czech ski jumpers, two advanced to the second round of the
K-116 hill competition, Jaroslav Sakala finished 24th.
UEFA Cup: Slavia Praha Ties 0-0 in Opening Match of UEFA Cup Fourth Round
Slavia Praha played surprisingly well in the UEFA Cup's round of
16, although it did not manage to score against 1.FC Kaiserslautern
February 18. Almost 18,000 fans saw Tomas Dosek's shot hit the bar. The
rematch will be played February 22 in Germany.
Slavia included defender Jan Suchoparek in its line-up, as he
returned to Slavia after playing abroad for four years. Forward Pavel
Kuka, who played for Stuttgart in the summer UEFA Intertoto Cup, was not
eligible to play and watched the game from the stands.
Slavia's combinations caused a lot of problems for its opponent, in
particular Ivo Ulich, Tomas Kuchar and Ludek Zelenka tested the skills
of Kaiserslautern goalkeeper Koch. Kaiserslautern's play at the forward
position was strenghtened after Vratislav Lokvenc, a former Sparta Praha
player, entered the game. Mario Bassler's shot hit the post in the 77th
minute.
After deadline: Kaiserslautern - Slavia Praha 1-0. Goal: Lokvenc. Slavia
is eliminated from the UEFA Cup.
Hockey Extraleague: Trinec and Plzen Back in Fight for Playoffs
The fight for eighth place in the hockey extraleague's standings
- and the last spot for the playoffs - is still ongoing with five rounds
till the end of the regular season. Trinec (in 10th place) and Plzen
(11th) are still in the hunt, as they made up ground with their improved
performances in the last two rounds.
Slavia is holding on to the eighth position: after losing to
Pardubice it won four points in the last two games. The Havirov-Vsetin
game ended surprisingly: the first-place team lost 1-8, which is the
biggest win ever for Havirov and the worst loss ever for Vsetin in the
extraleague.
Karlovy Vary got closer to the qualification tournament for next
season's extraleague. The team, which had lofty ambitions at the
beginning of the season, recorded three losses in its last three games,
scoring three times and conceding 10 goals. It is now 13 points behind
Kladno.
Results of the 45th round: Sparta Praha - Trinec 3-6, Havirov
- Ceske Budejovice 5-3, Kladno - Vitkovice 2-1 OT, Litvinov - Zlin 4-3
OT, Pardubice - Slavia Praha 5-2, Vsetin - Plzen 2-0, Karlovy Vary
- Znojmo 1-4.
Results of the 46th round: Havirov - Vsetin 8-1, Znojmo - Sparta
Praha 3-2 OT, Ceske Budejovice - Karlovy Vary 3-0, Trinec - Pardubice
3-5, Slavia Praha - Litvinov 6-1, Plzen - Kladno 8-0, Zlin - Vitkovice
3-3.
Results of the 47th round: Karlovy Vary - Trinec 2-3, Vsetin
- Ceske Budejovice 5-3, Sparta Praha - Havirov 5-1, Kladno - Zlin 4-1,
Vitkovice - Slavia Praha 2-2, Pardubice - Plzen 1-5, Litvinov - Znojmo
1-3.
Standings: 1. Vsetin 89 points, 2. Pardubice 76, 3. Zlin 76, 4.
Znojmo 74, 5. Litvinov 73, 6. Sparta Praha 73, 7. Vitkovice 70, 8.
Slavia Praha 69, 9. Ceske Budejovice 68, 10. Trinec 65, 11. Plzen 63,
12. Havirov 58, 13. Kladno 56, 14. Karlovy Vary 43.
Soccer League: Competition for Bids in European Cups Continues
The spring session of the soccer league started with the 17th
round. Teplice and Pribram proved in the opening game February 16 that
the competition for playing in European Cups (the first six teams in the
standings will qualify) will be very dramatic.
Pribram, strenghtened by former Sparta Praha leading scorer Horst
Siegl, played better till the last 10 minutes and had a two-goal
advantage. Michal Kolomaznik then managed to lower the lead and then had
a penalty kick in the last minute. He did not score, so Pribram recorded
the full three points.
Spectators saw an unusual turnaround in the Bohemians Praha-Ceske
Budejovice game. Ceske Budejovice ruled the first half, scoring twice.
After the break and inspired by the emotional speech of coach Vlastimil
Petrzela in the locker-room, where he kicked over some laundry hampers,
Bohemians Praha players scored four times and won the game 4-3.
Sparta played without Tomas Rosicky (read about his transfer to
Dortmund in Carolina 401) for the first time and defeated Brno 1-0.
Results of the 17th round: Olomouc - Blsany 3-0, Teplice - Pribram
1-2, Sparta Praha - Brno 1-0, Ostrava - Zizkov 2-2, Liberec - Jablonec
3-1, Bohemians Praha - Ceske Budejovice 4-3, Plzen - Slavia Praha 1-3,
Stare Mesto - Drnovice 1-2.
Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 43, 2. Olomouc 30, 3. Pribram 28, 4.
Teplice 27, 5. Liberec 27, 6. Zizkov 26, 7. Stare Mesto 25, 8. Slavia
Praha 24, 9. Bohemians Praha 22, 10. Drnovice 20, 11. Jablonec 19, 12.
Blsany 17, 13. Brno 17, 14. Ostrava 16, 15. Ceske Budejovice 15, 16.
Plzen 9.
Sports by Petr Adam and Dana Zlatohlavkova/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Northwesterly winds brought snow to the Czech Republic again.
A wind storm on the summits of the Giant Mountains (Krkonose) reached up
to 100kmph/60mph, and after the winds came a blizzard. Snow appeared in
the mountains exactly when our summer semester began here. Temperatures
are oscillating around the freezing point, but in the lowlands the heavy
snows of February 22 are disappearing quickly. We shall still wait for
spring.
Marie Sternova
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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