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Carolina (English) No 375
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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 375, Friday, May 12, 2000.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (May 4 - May 10)
V-E Day Celebrations in Pilsen
Celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the end of WWII took place
throughout the Czech Republic May 5-8. The most spectacular
commemoration took place in Pilsen (Plzen). The city prepared a program
spanning several days, meant primarily as a expression of gratitude to
the American soldiers who liberated the city.
There were many concerts and war documentaries. A monument to the
16th armored division was unveiled on Huss Avenue May 6. The most
striking feature was the large number of veterans and military vehicles
crowding the streets of Pilsen.
Almost 150,000 people attended the celebrations, which peaked with
a military parade held May 6. The parade featured many modern and
historic military vehicles, surrounded by young and old men in uniform.
Many visitors and veterans did not hide their tears: "I remember how
I rode through this street 55 years ago. They gave us a beautiful
welcome here then, but today it's much more beautiful and emotional,"
said one of the American veterans.
From Pilsen, Jaroslav Sauer/Ondrej Maly
Commerce Bank Management Faces Charges
Czech police announced May 5 that nine former and current managers
of the Commerce Bank (Komercni banka, KB) will be accused of violating
the responsibilities of asset management. The management might also be
accused of violating the rules of trade.
The names of the accused were not published by the police, but
among them are said to be former Chairman of the Board and General
Director Jan Kollert and his deputies Petr Budinsky and Jaroslav Mares,
according to Czech Television. Besides the nine managers, two former
bank officers were also accused - Jirina Kaplanova and Ivana
Neuhauslova. According to the police, all the accused were directly
responsible for fraudulent dealings with Austrian company B.C.L.
Trading, which led to losses of about 8 billion crowns for the bank.
Money was loaned to the company for financing steel and wheat business,
but was used for other aims and never returned.
The investigation includes former bank General Director and current
Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Senator Richard Salzmann, who is protected
by immunity. The loans to B.C.L. Trading began in 1996, when Salzmann
was in office. the police has since said Salzmann will not be accused.
Jakub Trnka/Ondrej Maly
Anarchists Demonstrate against Fascism
The Anti-fascist Action, a Czech anarchist group, demonstrated May
6 on Prague's Peace Square (Namesti miru) against fascism and political
repression. Demonstrators recalled the V-E Day anniversary, the danger
of fascist ideology and they also protested against the officials who
allegedly do not want to permit their demonstrations.
About 50 anarchists then marched to the Czech Radio building on
Vinohradska Street, where they intended to honor the memory of the
victims of fascism. The police closed the street and warned the
demonstrators that they were breaking the law. The anarchists shouted
"Gestapo" and "police state."
The demonstration ended as some anarchists walked in small groups
to the Czech Radio building and laid the wreaths at the memorial plaque
for the victims of the Prague Uprising, while others went back to Peace
Square to continue with their happening.
Tereza Tesarikova/Jakub Jirovec
Prime Minister Loses Lawsuit with Miroslav Macek
The High Court in Prague May 4 closed the lawsuit between Prime
Minister Milos Zeman and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice Chairman
Miroslav Macek. Zeman two years ago called Macek a "thief" in connection
with the privatization of the Book Warehouse.
The court said the privatization was "strange" and "shameless," but
Zeman did not have the right to decide publicly on Macek's guilt. Zeman
will have to apologize in or during the public-affairs program Seven
(Sedmicka) on TV NOVA, where he originally made the statement.
Lenka Ludvikova/Jakub Jirovec
Europe Day for Students
University students had the opportunity to learn about the
possibilities for studying abroad May 9 in the foyer of the Carolinum,
the seat of Charles University in Prague. This meeting, called Europe to
Students, was part of the Europe Day project. The day was organized to
recall the 50th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which was the
starting point for the unification of Europe.
The main organizers of the event were the Foreign Ministry, the
City of Prague, the Delegation of the European Council in Prague and
Charles University in Prague. To mark Europe Day there were 10
activities held in Prague and meant to make citizens aware of the nature
and the functioning of the EU.
Students in the Carolinum could receive not only advice about
scholarship programs at foreign universities, but also information about
the EU and its members. Beside stands with leaflets and brochures, there
were computers tied to the Internet with pages of relevant information.
Video programs were shown on a wall between the stands, although they
could not be heard and there was no place for prospective viewers.
The Robert Schuman Declaration, made by the France's then-Foreign
Minister, was introduced May 9, 1950. It tried to suppress the
long-lasting enmity of France and Germany through the idea of European
cooperation to prevent international conflict. As a result of the
declaration, the European Community of Coal and Steel was founded one
year later and it became one of the three pillars of the European
Community, the predecessor of the European Union. That is why May 9 is
celebrated as Europe Day.
Michaela Kleckova from Carolinum/Daniela Vrbova
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Havel a Welcome Guest in Germany
President Vaclav Havel began his four-day visit to Germany May 9.
His journey has been marked by a number of awards and warm welcomes.
The only item on Havel's agenda May 9 was the presentation of the
German Civic Awards, which Havel received from his friend and former
German President Richard von Weizsacker. Havel's visit, his 13th since
1993, is to emphasize the new dimension of Czech-German relations, which
seem now to be the best in history. Thanks to the Czech Republic joining
NATO last year, Germany has become an ally. Havel is accepted in Germany
not only as a well-known politician but also as a moral authority who
helped to move Czech-German relations to where they stand today.
This time, Havel was heading for Berlin and also for Potsdam and
Regensburg. There, the Bavarian Premier Edmund Stoiber awaits Havel.
Recently, Stoiber said the Czech Republic's EU membership should be
conditional to the abolition of the Benes Decrees.
The presidents of Germany and the Czech Republic May 10 exchanged
their respective countries' highest state awards: Havel received
Germany's Federal Cross for Merit and gave The Order of the White Lion
to German President Johannes Rau.
Michal Pospisil/Daniela Vrbova
Compensation for Czech Forced Laborers in Austria is Unclear
The Austrian government has not changed its position on
compensating Czech forced laborers in WWII. Government envoy Maria
Schaumayer said talks are not finished and people who can prove their
claim for compensation will receive money from the compensation fund.
Czech media May 10 published reports that Czech ambassador to
Vienna Jiri Grusa signed an agreement with Schaumayer that resolved
certain matters.
Alzbeta Trousilova/Darina Johanidesova
FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN BRIEF
* The Russian Foreign Ministry May 4 accused Czech President Vaclav
Havel of questioning the territorial integrity of the Russian
Federation. According to Czech daily Lidove noviny, Havel tried to
vindicate the activities of Chechen separatists and terrorists, at the
meeting of Central European presidents in Hungary (see Carolina 274). He
also said Chechnyans have the right to decide for themselves if they
want to be part of the Russian Federation. The Russian ministry in its
statement said it was not the first time Havel had expressed sympathy
for Chechnya. On May 5 Havel denied he had questioned territorial
integrity, but he also said he supports the suspension of Russia's
membership in the Council of Europe because of the conflict in Chechnya.
Alzbeta Trousilova/Darina Johanidesova
FROM SLOVAKIA
Slovak President Visiting Greece
Slovak President Rudolf Schuster visited Greece May 8-9, the first
time the head of Slovakia had ever made a state visit there.
Schuster was accompanied by the Privatization Minister Marie
Machova, Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, the state secretary of the
Economy Ministry and a group of businessmen. The visit centered on the
development of trade and investment contacts, which are nearly nil even
though relations between the countries are without problems.
The Greek side declared its support for Slovakia's efforts to join
the European Union and NATO. Greece is a member of the EU, NATO and the
OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). Schuster
said the experiences of Greece can help Slovakia avoid mistakes in the
integration process.
Tereza Tesarikova/Veronika Hankusova
ECONOMY
EU Will Not Tolerate Czech-Slovak Customs Union
Slovak Economy Minister Lubomir Harach and Czech Trade Minister
Miroslav Gregr said after the meeting of the Customs Union Council May
9 that the institution is very beneficial for both states. Gregr said
the union will not survive if the countries do not enter the European
Union (EU) together. On the other hand, the EU would, according to
Gregr, allow some trade advantages in agriculture.
The ministers also discussed some problems in bilateral trade
relations. For example, Slovakia still has not cancelled its import duty
on Czech beer and the Czech Republic has restricted the import of
isoglucosis from Slovakia. Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Slovak
Premier Mikulas Dzurinda should at the end of May sign treaties on
investment protection and joint visa policy .
Jan Skala/Jakub Jirovec
Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid May 12)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 37.040
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 23.574
Great Britain 1 GBP 61.386
Denmark 1 DKK 4.969
Japan 100 JPY 37.176
Canada 1 CAD 27.294
IMF 1 XDR 53.596
Hungary 100 HUF 14.333
Norway 1 NOK 4.504
New Zealand 1 NZD 19.372
Poland 1 PLN 9.085
Greece 100 GRD 11.019
Slovakia 100 SKK 86.099
Slovenia 100 SIT 18.088
Sweden 1 SEK 4.490
Switzerland 1 CHF 23.815
USA 1 USD 40.836
Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 18.938
Belgium 100 BEF 91.820
Finland 1 FIM 6.230
France 1 FRF 5.647
Ireland 1 IEP 47.031
Italy 1000 ITL 19.130
Luxemburg 100 LUF 91.820
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.808
Portugal 100 PTE 18.475
Austria 1 ATS 2.692
Spain 100 ESP 22.261
KULTURA
Lou Reed in Prague Again
Rock star and co-founder of the legendary Velvet Underground Lou
Reed and his band played Prague 5 in Prague's Lucerna. Reed was
accompanied by the same band as in his 1996 Prague performance:
guitarist Michael Rathke, drummer Anthony Smith and bassist Fernando
Saunders. The majority of the songs came from Reed's new album Ecstasy,
although the 58-year-old Reed also dusted off some of his older
material. The concert was attended by President Vaclav Havel and the
first lady, who went out with Reed and the band after the concert. The
following day Reed visited Havel at Havel's villa in Prague's 6th
District. Reed and Havel first met in 1990 when Reed interviewed Havel
for Rolling Stone magazine. The two have been friends since,
demonstrated when at Havel's request Reed performed at a White House
dinner for Havel in 1998.
Jakub Tronicek/Zuzana Janeckova
Society before the Lens 1918-1989
Society before the Lens is the name of a photo exhibit opened May
10 in the halls of the Municipal House (Obecni dum) in Prague. It should
be a significant culture event among several similar photo exhibits this
year. The core of the exhibit stems from photo collections of the
Moravian Gallery in Brno. Organizers emphasize not only the artistic
value of pictures but also their documentary qualities that reflect the
development of society and milestones in the Czech history over a span
of 80 years.
The exhibit puts together the most outstanding names of the Czech
photo scene, such as Jaromir Funke, Karel Hajek, Jan Halasa, Dagmar
Hochova, Bohdan Holomicek, Vaclav Jiru, Karol Kallay, Viktor Kolar,
Taras Kuscynskyj, Jan Lukas, Zdenek Lhotak, Marketa Luskacova, Jan
Saudek, Josef Sudek, Pavel Stecha, Jindrich Streit and Vilem Reichmann.
The exhibit will last until September 10.
Michal Pospisil/Milan Smid
A Little Kingdom in the Center of Prague
A small-scale Czech Republic with miniature models of memorable
buildings and national monuments has been created in a park in Prague's
Albertov neighborhood. The model, opened as a part of the Prague,
European City of Culture 2000 project, is called A Little Kingdom. The
terrain of the park was arranged according the shape of the Czech
Republic, while building models are made of artificial stone and natural
materials in small scale from 1:25 to 1:50. Among the miniature objects
are the Cervena lhota chateau, the Karlstejn Castle, the Hrusice Church
and the summer seat of the Czech president, the Lany chateau. The set of
miniature monuments will be enlarged gradually.
Lenka Ludvikova/Milan Smid
SPORTS
Sparta Scores Five Goals against Slavia And Wins Soccer League Title
Slavia was playing against 11 Sparta opponents during the first 20
minutes, but after Sparta overcame Slavia's 1-0 lead and added four more
goals, it fought with its own psyche. That was the first time since the
foundation of the independent Czech soccer league that one team allowed
five goals in the most famous intracity derby.
In the 19th minute Richard Dostalek scored on a header and Slavia
fans could celebrate. Right after the goal, Sparta started a combination
and Vratislav Lokvenc tied the score. Slavia had another chance after
Pavel Horvath's center, Dostalek could have scored and also Ludek
Zelenka was standing at the post. However, in the 34th minute Petr Vlcek
let Lokvenc to Horst Siegl's pass and score; and in the same minute,
Petr Gabriel headed Zdenek Svoboda's corner kick into the net. Slavia
gave up, while its fans demonstrated their toughness by unfolding a flag
with the slogan We Will Keep the Faith. Sparta tested their faith with
two more goals after the break and celebrated in the end: they ran
around the stadium, they threw their coach in the air...
Sparta Praha - Slavia Praha 5-1 (3-1). Goals: Lokvenc 20 and 33,
Gabriel 34, Baranek 53, Novotny 68 - Dostalek 19. Played May 7.
Other results of the 28th round: Ceske Budejovice - Blsany 2-2,
Opava - Zizkov 0-1, Jablonec - Drnovice 1-0, Bohemians Praha - Hradec
Kralove 1-0, Pribram - Ostrava 2-0, Teplice - Olomouc 2-1, Brno
- Liberec 3-0.
Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 72, 2. Slavia Praha 65, 3. Drnovice 47,
4. Brno 39, 5. Teplice 39, 6. Bohemians Praha 39, 7. Liberec 35, 8.
Zizkov 35, 9. Pribram 34, 10. Blsany 33, 11. Ceske Budejovice 32, 12.
Olomouc 30, 13. Ostrava 29, 14. Opava 28, 15. Jablonec 28, 16. Hradec
Kralove 23.
Darina Johanidesova/Mirek Langer
Czech Hockey Team Advances to World Championships Semifinal
After wins over Italy (9-2) and Slovakia (6-2) and a 4-6 loss to
Finland, the Czech national team advanced to the quarterfinals of the
World Championships in St. Petersburg. Thanks to their first place in
Group F they met Latvia, the fourth-place team from Group E.
The Czech team lost for the first time in the tournament May 7. It
led Finland 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3, but Finnish players scored three goals in
the third period, two of them within 19 seconds.
In the game against Slovakia May 8, Pavel Patera and Martin
Prochazka scored their first goals in the tournament. Patera raised the
score to 2-0 after the puck deflected off the referee's skate to him.
Slovakia lowered the score to 2-3, but then Patera kicked the puck to
Prochazka who scored. The final score: 6-2 for the Czechs.
Results: Czech Republic - Italy 9-2 (2-0, 5-0, 2-2). Goals by
Kucera (2), Prospal, Buzek, Benysek, Vlasak, Havlat, Cajanek, Spanhel.
Czech Republic - Finland 4-6 (2-1, 1-2, 1-3). Goals by Kaberle,
Prospal, Sykora, Dopita.
Czech Republic - Slovakia 6-2 (1-0, 3-2, 2-0). Goals by Vyborny,
Patera, Bros, Prochazka, Vlasak, Stepanek.
After deadline: Czech Republic - Latvia 3-1 (0-0, 3-1, 0-0). Goals
by Varada, Sykora, Dopita. The Czechs advanced to the semifinal, they
will meet Canada May 12.
David Mirejovsky/Mirek Langer
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* The opening Grand Prix of the speedway world championships took
place in Prague's Na Markete stadium. The United States' Billy Hamill
won the final, Antonin Kasper was the top Czech finisher in 11th place,
where he tied Greg Hancock of the USA.
* Martin Doktor won all three races of the second flatwater canoeing
World Cup event in Mechelen, Belgium.
* Slavia Praha's handball players won the women's league after they
defeated Cheb 24-19 in the third game of the best-of-five final series.
Pavel Novotny, Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
The summer weather euphoria of some Czechs is tempered by the
anxiety of farmers afraid this year's crop is in danger because of
extreme drought. Forest fires sprang up last weekend in several places
in the Czech Republic and moved at a speed exceeding the statistical
average. Temperatures of about 27-28 degrees Celsius/81-82 degrees
Fahrenheit broke long-time records. Those old enough to remember are
comparing the summer to the year 1947 and its catastrophic drought.
Lenka Ludvikova/Zuzana Janeckova
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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