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Carolina (English) No 387
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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 387, Friday, September 8, 2000.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (August 23 - September 6)
Zeman Blames Journalists as Part of Conspiracy
Prime Minister Milos Zeman August 25 announced the Office of the
Government had filed a criminal complaint two months ago in connection
with the Lead Affair (see Carolina 386), about a document planning
a smear campaign against fellow Social Democrat Petra Buzkova. At the
press conference Zeman hinted at a broader conspiracy against the Social
Democrats before the autumn elections, with the largest Czech daily MF
DNES taking part in the plotting. The government's criminal complaint
asked the police to investigate whether MF DNES reporters Jiri Kubik and
Sabina Slonkova participated in preparing the document and getting it
into the Office of the Government.
Zeman's statement caused an uproar in the media, with calls to
protect press freedoms. The leftist daily Pravo, the government's lead
apologist, joined in the criticism of the complaint. Information about
the plan to discredit Buzkova, who is also vice chairwoman of
Parliament, was published in MF DNES May 16, and it is still not clear
who wrote the document. The daily claims the plan came from Zeman's
advisers (adviser Zdenek Sarapatka stated in his police deposition that
the author was adviser Vratislav Sima), while the government's complaint
says the document was smuggled onto a government computer.
Austrian Opponents of Temelin Block Czech-Austrian Border Crossings
About 2,000 Austrians from the northern region of the country
gathered September 2 at the three Czech-Austrian Crossings - Dolni
Dvoriste, Studanky and Predni Vyton - and blocked (symbolically at one
minute before noon) the roads with tractors and farm machinery, to
protest the imminent start of operations at the Temelin nuclear power
plant in Southern Bohemia (see Carolina 383). They asked for a stop to
the start-up process until the Czech state can submit a credible
guarantee of the safety of the plant.
Temelin became a diplomatic issue when Austrian Foreign Minister
Benita Ferrer-Waldner warned the Czech Republic that the if the
appropriate tests and checks are not completed and if the loading of
fuel continues without taking into account the Austrian standpoint,
Vienna will not allow the EU to close membership talks with the Czech
Republic regarding energy.
Police Train to Fight Protesters at IMF and World Bank Summit
Police officers, in preparing for the IMF-World Bank annual meeting
in Prague the last week of September, staged a training session for
politicians and the press August 31 about 20 kilometers outside Prague.
The police trained beating back a crowd of violent demonstrators, who
were played by police academy students - for their part, they threw
stones and apples at the police and screamed "Gestapo" at them.
Havel Attends UN Millenium Summit
President Vaclav Havel departed September 4 for New York, where he
went to attend the biggest meeting of statesmen in history - the UN
Millenium Summit. Havel wants to focus his five-minute address on reform
of the United Nations, said a source from the presidential office. Havel
will ask the UN be better prepared and equipped to solve problems and
conflicts in the world.
German Chancellor Accepts: Benes Decrees Are Expired
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the German government will
not raise any property claims against the Czech Republic in the future.
Schroeder addressed a meeting of the Union of Expatriated Germans
September 3 and confirmed the statement made in March during Czech Prime
Minister Milos Zeman's visit to Germany (see Carolina 323). The
statement said Prague considers the validity and effect of the Benes
Decrees expired, and Berlin will not make any property claims against
the Czech state. Some members of the Union of Expatriated Germans did
not agree with the position.
Vinohrady Brewery Burns down
The Vinohrady Brewery in Crown Street (Vinohradsky pivovar
v Korunni ulici) burned down on the evening of August 28. The blaze sent
15-meter flames into the sky and was visible from throughout the city.
Firefighters were still extinguishing the flames on the morning of
September 2. Firefighters remained on site to protect against any
recurrence of the fire.
All that was left of the brewery were its exterior walls, which
will be taken down in the coming days. The fire was evidently caused by
workers renovating the brewery building. No one was injured,
firefighters estimate damages at 50 million crowns, while the
building's owners claim damages twice that amount. Firefighters called
it the biggest fire in Prague in decades. The story also had a rather
pointed postscript for brewery neighbors: when city demolition experts
attempted to bring down the remaining walls, they inadvertently
destroyed the apartments next to the brewery.
FROM SLOVAKIA
President Schuster Calls Referendum on Early Elections
President Rudolf Schuster September 5 called a referendum for
November 11 on whether to hold early elections. The referendum was
called on the basis of petition organized by the opposition Movement for
a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and the Slovak National Party (SNS) signed
by more than 600,000 citizens.
Premier Mikulas Dzurinda has said he is not worried about the
referendum, because the required 50 per cent of the electorate will not
come to the polls. Opinion polls support his belief.
International Arrest Warrant Issued for Ivan Lexa
A Bratislava judge September 4 issued an international arrest
warrant for National Assembly member and former Slovak Information
Service Director Ivan Lexa. At an August 24 extraordinary assembly
session, 86 of 120 legislators voted in favor of taking Lexa into
custody. Lexa has been accused of 11 crimes, including repeatedly
misusing his authority as a public official, sabotage and economic
crimes of 54 million Slovak Crowns.
Lexa left Slovakia on his diplomatic passport, despite having
promised to use the passport only for trips in connection with his
legislative duties. Justice officials say Lexa was reported to be in
South Africa in July.
Visas for Belgium Again
The Kingdom of Belgium reintroduced visas requirements for Slovak
citizens September 5, as a result of the 446 applications for exile
submitted in August by Slovak Roma. Belgium had introduced a visa
requirement April 13, but repealed it August 1. Slovak citizens need
visas for Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Ukraine. Finland, Norway,
the Netherlands and Luxembourg had visas requirements but have repealed
them.
ECONOMY
KPN Gives up on Czech Telecom
Czech Telecom's strategic partner, the Dutch firm KPN, announced
August 30 it does not have any interest in purchasing any more shares of
Czech Telecom from the state to gain a majority in the company. KPN owns
33.5 per cent of Czech Telecom and had originally expressed an interest
in acquiring another 17 per cent from the state. KPN said its activities
in the Czech Republic no longer correspond with KPN's newly narrowed
strategy.
Some said KPN's decision was influenced by its failure to gain an
UMTS third-generation telephone license in Germany, while others say the
decision merely reflects the trend in telecommunication to focus on
wireless mobile communication instead of traditional services.
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* The government discussed its second 2001 budget proposal September
6. The budget calls for income of 627.5 billion crowns and expenses of
650 billion crowns, although the Opposition Contract between the
minority Social Democrat government and the Civic Democratic Party (ODS)
does not allow for a budget deficit exceeding 20 billion crowns. The
government is to discuss the budget again September 18, after the Czech
Statistics Office releases new economic data. The government has
repeatedly stated its priority for the budget will be education.
* The average Czech gross monthly wage rose to 12,811 crowns at the
end of the first half of the year. The amount represents a 6.3 per cent
increase over 12 months ago, while prices rose during the same period by
3.7 per cent.
* Two well-known Czech companies dealt with bankruptcy problems
recently. The Kralovopolska Brno engineering firm was taken out of
bankruptcy by the High Court in Olomouc. Airplane-maker Let Kunovice was
placed in bankruptcy after a petition was filed by the state-owned
Consolidation Bank and joined by the company's union and some of its
trade partners.
* Former Skoda Pilsen General Director and Chairman of the Board
Lubomir Soudek was charged with insider trading by the Pilsen (Plzen)
State Prosecutor August 25. Soudek allegedly abused his position in
Skoda to the advantage of his private firm NERo, and if convicted would
face up to 12 years in prison.
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid September 11)
------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 35.320 CZK
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 22.688
Great Britain 1 GBP 57.818
Denmark 1 DKK 4.743
Japan 100 JPY 38.386
Canada 1 CAD 27.444
IMF 1 XDR 52.521
Hungary 100 HUF 13.504
Norway 1 NOK 4.401
New Zealand 1 NZD 17.068
Poland 1 PLN 9.162
Greece 100 GRD 10.452
Slovakia 100 SKK 82.910
Slovenia 100 SIT 16.892
Sweden 1 SEK 4.239
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.820
USA 1 USD 40.519
Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 18.059
Belgium 100 BEF 87.556
Finland 1 FIM 5.940
France 1 FRF 5.384
Ireland 1 IEP 44.847
Italy 1000 ITL 18.241
Luxemburg 100 LUF 87.556
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.028
Portugal 100 PTE 17.618
Austria 1 ATS 2.567
Spain 100 ESP 21.228
CULTURE
Street Theater in Prague
As part of the project Prague European City of Culture 200, the
Alfred in the Courtyard Theater (Divadlo Alfred ve dvore) organized
a variety of street theater performances throughout the city over the
weekend of September 2-3. There were dance performances by students of
the dance conservatory, theater and theater parades.
Friends of Country Music Visit Michal Tucny's Stodola
About 7,500 people gathered August 26 in the small village of
Hostice near Volyne (in Strakonice County) to commemorate popular
country singer Michal Tucny, who died five years ago. Several bands
performed at the informal festival of country and western music, with
the top star of the event Tucny's American colleague and friend, singer
Rattlesnake Annie, who recorded several songs with him in the past. The
event, now called Michal Tucny's Stodola, took place for the third time.
Actor Jiri Sovak Died
Theater and film actor Jiri Sovak (born Jiri Schmitzer) died
September 6 at the age of 79. After World War II Sovak joined the E.F.
Burian Theater, from 1952-66 he worked at the Vinohrady Theater (Divadlo
na Vinohradech). From 1966 until his retirement in 1984 he acted at the
National Theater (Narodni divadlo). In March he received the Thalie
theater award for lifetime excellence. Sovak was best known for his
comic film roles, often paired with Vlastimil Brodsky. Sovak acted in
the film When the Tomcat Comes (Az prijde kocour) and Oscar-winner
Kolya.
Playwright and Writer Oldrich Danek Died
Playwright, screenwriter, writer and director Oldrich Danek died
September 3 at the age of 73. He first worked in theaters in Hradec
Kralove and Liberec, and then from 1956-1973 worked at the Barrandov
film studios as a screenwriter and director. He directed five films, the
most notable being A Royal Mistake (Kralovsky omyl). From 1973 he wrote
and occasionally directed. He also frequently worked with the Vinohrady
Theater (Divadlo na Vinohradech), where his plays were almost always
directed by Jaroslav Dudek (see below). He also wrote screenplays for
television. His works often dealt with Czech historical themes.
Director Jaroslav Dudek Died
Television and theater director Jaroslav Dudek died August 31 at
the age of 68. In 1954 he joined the S.K. Neumann Theater, and from
1962 until his death he was at the Vinohrady Theater (Divadlo na
Vinohradech). Dudek also directed in television from the 50's - he was
involved in the first Czechoslovak television serial, the Blaha Family.
SPORTS
Soccer World Cup 2002 Qualification: Bulgaria - Czech Republic 0-1
The first qualification match for the 2002 World Cup took place
September 2 in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. The only goal of the
match, which brought the victory to the Czech team, was scored from
a penalty kick in the 73rd minute by Karel Poborsky.
The next qualification match will take place October 7 in Teplice,
where the Czech team will meet Iceland.
Czech Republic: Srnicek - Fukal, Rada, Repka, Tyce - Poborsky,
Bejbl, Horvath (77. Rosicky), Nedved - Smicer (90 Vlcek), Koller (64.
Lokvenc)
Gambrinus Soccer League: First Trainer Fired after 5 Rounds
After five rounds of the soccer league, Sparta is still at the top
of the Gambrinus League chart without losing a point. Its rival Slavia
was victorious in Ostrava, newcomer Stare Mesto continued its
suprisingly good showing. The disappointing results of the Brno team
were the reason that trainer Karel Jarusek was dismissed and replaced by
Pavel Tobias, last season's trainer of Ceske Budejovice.
Results of the 5th round: Ostrava - Slavia 1:3, Sparta - Budejovice
5:1, Pribram - Brno 3:0, Olomouc - Zizkov 4:1, Teplice - Jablonec 2:1,
Bohemians - Stare Mesto 1:1, Plzen - Blsany 1:1, Liberec - Drnovice 2:0.
Standings after the 5th round: 1. Sparta 15 points, 2. Liberec 12,
3. Stare Mesto 11, 4. Olomouc 11, 5. Slavia 11, 6. Teplice 8, 7. Ostrava
7, 8. Blsany 6, 9. Bohemians 6, 10. Plzen 5, 11. Pribram 4, 12.
Budejovice 4, 13. Zizkov 3, 14. Drnovice 3, 15. Jablonec 2, 16. Brno 1.
Olympic Soccer Team Named, Goalie Kouba Not Chosen
The Czech soccer team for the Sydney Olympic Games was named after
delays caused by the backroom negotiations, as neither premiere-league
team wanted to release more than two players. The final decision came
after talks between trainer Karel Bruckner and Sparta and Slavia
management. Surprisingly, goalie Petr Kouba, the only older player
expected to be named, was not nominated.
The Czech Olympic Soccer team: Goalkeepers: Ales Chvalovsky
(Stuttgart), Jaroslav Drobny (Budejovice). Defenders: Erich Brabec
(Drnovice), Lukas Dosek, Adam Petrous (oba Slavia), Roman Lengyel
(Sparta), Roman Tyce (Mnichov 1860), Radoslav Kovac (Olomouc).
Halfbacks: Marek Jankulovski (Neapol), Tomas Ujfalusi (Olomouc), Jan
Polak (Brno), Martin Vozabal (Budejovice), Libor Sionko (Sparta), Jan
Simak (Hannover). Forwards: Milan Baros (Ostrava), Libor Dosek (Brno),
Marek Heinz (Hamburk), Tomas Kucera (Pribram).
Competitors in European Soccer Cups Picked
Champions League: Sparta will meet Lazio (Italy), Arsenal (UK) and
Doneck (Ukraine).
UEFA Cup: Slavia vs. AB Copenhagen (Denmark), Liberec vs. IFK
Norrkopping (Sweden) and Drnovice vs. Munchen 1860 (Germany).
WEATHER
As is customary in the Czech Republic, winter began September 1.
The weather turned unrelentingly gray and damp with occasional rain, and
temperatures took a nosedive (nighttime temperatures below 10 degrees
Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures never reaching
20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit) as fall and even some winter
jackets came out. We are impatiently awaiting the promised Indian
summer.
This issue of Carolina was written by Jakub Trnka, Martin Rusek, Andrea
Slovakova (from Slovakia), Tereza Tesarikova (culture), Lenka
Nejzchlebova (culture), Simon Dominik (culture), Martin Moravec (sport),
Ondrej Trunecka (sport) and Lida Truneckova and was translated by Milan
Smid and Michael Bluhm.
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