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Carolina (English) No 383
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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 383, Monday, July 17, 2000.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (JUNE 28 - JULY 12)
Deputies Override Havel's Veto of Electoral Act
The Chamber of Deputies overrode President Vaclav Havel's veto of
the new Electoral Act (see Carolina 382) July 10. The changes to the act
should, according to their supporters, make easier the creation of the
majority government. According to the act's opponents, however, it
favors larger parties by adding majority elements to the present
proportional system. As expected, the Civic Democrats (ODS) and all but
four deputies of the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD) voted for the
Electoral Act. Both parties agreed on the amendments to the act in
January.
Communist (KSCM), Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) and Freedom Union
(US) deputies left the voting hall in protest. Even if they had voted,
they would not have had an influence on the voting, because a simple
majority of 101 votes was sufficient (ODS and CSSD have together 137
deputies).
Senators from the US, KDU-CSL and the Civic Democratic Alliance
(ODA) delcared they will appeal to the Constitutional Court if Havel
does not. Havel said he will act as his conscience leads him, but only
after the act is officially published. If the Constitutional Court does
not declare the act unconstitutional, it will be used in next general
elections in 2002. Czech citizens abroad should also be able to vote for
the first time. Jakub Trnka/Ondrej Maly
Temelin Nuclear Power Plant Being Fueled
The Temelin nuclear power plant may be functional sooner than
expected. The Czech Energetic Company (CEZ) obtained July 5, almost two
months before a government deadline, permission to fuel the power plant
from the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SUJB) and the next day CEZ
started to fuel the reactor in the first block.
Ecological activists from the Rainbow (Duha) movement began to mark
out the boundaries of the 13-kilometer radius around Temelin, calling it
the danger zone. The movement July 11 submitted its petition Referendum
2000 to the Chamber of Deputies. About 115,000 citizens signed the
petition, demanding a plebiscite on the opening of the power plant.
According to Vaclav Klaus, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, it is
too late to stop the costly project.
Austria (Temelin is located in southern Bohemia) talked about
Temelin at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Austrian
Foreign Minister Benita Ferrer complained that the Czechs did not inform
Vienna about the progress in construction as promised, and unexpectedly
started to fuel the power plant. The Czech daily Pravo quotes Dana
Drabova, chairwoman of the SUJB, who said all nuclear safety offices in
EU member states had been informed, including the International Agency
for Atomic Energy. Mirka Stipkova/Ondrej Maly
Chamber of Deputies Fails to Elect Ombudsman
Czech citizens will wait for their defender against the caprices of
bureaucracy - the ombudsman - for months. The law creating the office
took effect in April, but the deputies Refused to accpet any of the
nominees.
Charter 77 signatory Anna Sabatova and computer expert and
human-rights activist Vaclav Trojan, both proposed by the president, did
not make it past the first round. In the July 11 second round, deputies
could choose between Chairman of the Political Prisoners Confederation
Stanislav Drobny, proposed by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), and
School Office Director in Zdar nad Sazavou Simeona Zikmundova, proposed
by the Christian Democrat senators. The Senate and the president must
propose new candidates. Mirka Stipkova/Ondrej Maly
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Havel Stays in Croatia for Vacation after Two-Day Visit
President Vaclav Havel met July 11 in Dubrovnik with the presidents
of Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. Tension between Montenegro and
Serbia (which escalated after the recent decision by the Belgrade
Parliament to change the rules for electing Serbia's president) should
be resolved peacefully, but aside from political means "it is necessary
to consider even the alternative of a show of strength."
Czech Foreign Ministry speaker Ales Pospisil expressed his
displeasure with recent events in Serbia but rejected any resolution by
force. Jakub Trnka/Michael Bluhm
FROM SLOVAKIA
President Schuster Wins Fight for His Life
The condition of 66-year-old President Rudolf Schuster, whose life
was in danger after the perforation of his large intestine, has
significantly improved since he was moved to the University Clinic in
Innsbruck, Austria.The president is able to communicate non-verbally, is
breathing on his own and has resumed eating.
Schuster underwent his first operation June 19 in Bratislava (see
Carolina 381) and his second June 23 (see Carolina 382). The situation
was at its worst on the night of June 28, when his brain, liver and
kidneys began to fail as a result of a serious infection of his stomach
cavity. Pneumonia had been diagnosed three days earlier. At his
family's request a special airplane flew Schuster to Innsbruck, where he
was treated by a team of specialists led by Ernst Bodner, known for
perhaps saving Czech President Vaclav Havel's life with a an operation
on Havel's perforated intestine. Schuster's condition was considered
stable but serious the day after his arrival. In the following week
doctors began reducing reducing the drugs keeping Schister unconscious
and gradually took him off repiratory machines. Schuster was nearly
breathing on his own July 7 and reacted to doctor's questions with hand
and eye movements. Schuster appears to have avoided brain damage and his
circulation and kidneys are in excellent condition.
The unwillingness of the Bratislava doctors to consult foreign
experts, serious problems with providing truthful information and
criticism of the quality of healthcare led to the founding of an expert
commission by Premier Mikulas Dzurinda. The commission's report on the
period of June 14-25 states that the treatment of Schsuuster cannot be
charactertized as ideal, that necessary methods of diagnosis were not
used and that documentation was handled improperly. After the report was
issued, Interior Ministry Hospital Director Ivan Hantak and Health
Minister Tibor Sagat resigned (see below).
Presidential authority is split among Dzurinda, National Assembly
Chairman Josef Migas and the government during Schuster's illness. Migas
can sign bills into law, while Dzurinda is in charge of the armed forces
and represents Slovakia abroad. Andrea Slovakova/Michael Bluhm
Health Minister Resigns
Health Minster Tibor Sagat resigned July 6, taking political
responsibility for the mistakes made during President Rudolf Schuster's
treatment. Roman Kovac was named July 12 to replace Sagat.
Saget had July 3 called his own performance "excellent" during
Schuster's illness, but his resignation was called for from many
corners. Sagat reportedly later said he could have proceeded more
agressively, but did not always receive truthful information. He called
the direction of healthcare transformation correct, while pointing out
its financial problems - the Health Ministry is expected to post
a deficit of 2.5 - 4 billion Slovak crowns this year.
Andrea Slovakova/Michael Bluhm
FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF
* A nationwide search was called July 4 for former Slovak Information
Service chief Ivan Lexa. Lexa, charged with orchestrating the kidnapping
of former President Michal Kovac's son, had failed to appear for
a scheduled doctor's visit. Lexa's lawyers had claimed Lexa's high blood
pressure and various other ailments prevent him from being able to stand
trial. Andrea Slovakova/Michael Bluhm
ECONOMY
Ten deputies, two from each party represented in the Chamber of
Deputies, will have one year to investigate the case of the Investment
and Postal Bank (see Carolina 381, 382). This investigative commission
was founded in a nearly unanimous vote by deputies July 4, with the lone
no vote coming from chamber Chairman Vaclav Klaus.
The commission, against the wishes of Klaus and his Civic
Democratic Party (ODS), will also be able to investigate the state's
role in IPB when Klaus was prime minister and when the state also lost
its majority control over IPB. The commission will have the same
authority as any organ in the criminal process but will not have access
to material subject to banking secrecy. A permanent 13-member Banking
Committee was also established July 4 at the suggestion of the
Communists (KSCM). Jakub Trnka/Michael Bluhm
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid July 17)
----------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 35.460
country currency CZK
----------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 22.143
Great Britain 1 GBP 56.833
Denmark 1 DKK 4.753
Japan 100 JPY 35.076
Canada 1 CAD 25.496
IMF 1 XDR 50.066
Hungary 100 HUF 13.628
Norway 1 NOK 4.345
New Zealand 1 NZD 17.422
Poland 1 PLN 8.735
Greece 100 GRD 10.530
Slovakia 100 SKK 82.842
Slovenia 100 SIT 17.041
Sweden 1 SEK 4.238
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.890
USA 1 USD 37.854
Exchange Rates of countries participaiting in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
Belgium 100 BEF 87.903
Finland 1 FIM 5.964
France 1 FRF 5.406
Ireland 1 IEP 45.025
Italy 1000 ITL 18.314
Luxemburg 100 LUF 87.903
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.091
Portugal 100 PTE 17.687
Austria 1 ATS 2.577
Germany 1 DEM 18.130
Spain 100 ESP 21.312
CULTURE
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Begins
The 35th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival began with the
traditional carriage ride by visiting stars and the showing of the film
Aberdeen from Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland. The festival, in
which 19 films from around the world will compete in the competition
section, will last until July 15.
In the competition section the Czech representataive is Drahomira
Vihanova's The Pilgrimmage of Students Peter and Jacob, which deals with
the ambiguity of justice and the uniqueness of the Romany. Other
sections at the festival include independent films, Czech films of the
past year, a documentary competition, award-winning films from other
festivals, Variety magazine's Critics' Choice and a special section on
Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Stars attending this year's festival include Woody Harrelson,
Alicia Silverstone, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Eli Wallach, Ed Norton,
Carlos Saura and Franco Nero. The opening of the festival was marked by
rain and remarkably cold weather. Lenka Nejezchlebova/Michael Bluhm
SPORTS
Sokols Meet For 13th Time in Prague
The 13th Sokol Meeting (Vsesokolsky slet) took place in Prague's
Strahov Stadium during the first July weekend. This year, Sokol members
rented and filled to capacity the smaller, Evzen Rosicky Stadium instead
of the Grand Strahov Stadium, the site of their previous meetings.
Spectators could watch the mass physical exercises of up to 2,860
gymnasts. Also, members of Sokol organizations of the United States,
Canada, Slovakia, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Great Britain, Italy and
Germany came to Prague. According to the Czech Sokol Community, 21,000
men, women and children exercised during the weekend.
The July 8 afternoon program started with a performance of 1,728
members of the Faithful Guard, who commenced their exercises to the
accompaniment of the fabled march Into the New Life by Josef Suk. It was
followed by an exercise by parents with children to a composition of
Slovak sokols, It Is Us (To sme my). Although there were only 416
Slovaks, they were rewarded with a large ovation for their excellent
synchronization and color effects made with their dresses and scarves.
Younger schoolchildren and preschoolers also performed in the first half
of the program, which was ended by a number for men and women called
Enthusiasms and created by the Czech Association of Sport for Everyone
(CASPV). In the evening, the first National Meeting Evening was
organized, accompanied by other performances by CASPV members and ended
by fireworks.
Sokols then showed themselves to Prague citizens and tourists in
their garb and exercise costumes July 9, when they went through the city
in their traditional Meeting March. Older Sokols often did not hide
their tears of emotion and younger ones seemed to be proud of the Sokol
insignia.
The gymnast society Sokol (the Czech word for falcon) was found in
1862 by Miroslav Tyrs and Jindrich Fugner. The first meeting was
organized in 1882 and 10 more followed till 1948. Sokols were members of
foreign armies and anti-Nazi resistance groups in World Wars I and II.
In 1948, the largest Sokol meeting ever took place in the Grand Strahov
Stadium, in which more then 100,000 gymnasts participated; in the same
year the communist government disbanded the Sokols. The tradition of the
mass exercises continued under the Czechoslovak Union of Physical
Education as the Spartakiads, while the Sokols continued their
activities abroad. After 1989, the Czech Sokol Community quickly
returned to activity, in 1990 its representatives participated in
a meeting in Vienna and in 1994 organized the 12th Slet in Prague.
From Strahov Daniela Vrbova/Mirek Langer
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* The Czech team won two complete sets of medals in the flatwater
anoeing uropean Championships in Poznan, Poland. Two-time Olympic
champion Martin Doktor won the 1,000m race and finished third in the
200m sprint. Also, the canoe foursome of Petr Prochazka, Jan Brecka,
Karel Kozisek and Petr Fuksa won the 200m. The double-canoe of Prochazka
and Brecka and the double-kayak of Radek Zaruba and Pavel Holubar won
silver medals and the canoe-four team of Fuksa, Netusil, Machac and
Jirasky added the last bronze.
* Swimmer Ilona Hlavackova won a bronze medal in the European
Championships in Helsinki. In the 50m backstroke she broke the Czech
record by nine-hundredths of second with a time of 29.18 seconds. The
Czech Republic won two bronze medals in the championships - Jana
Pechanova finished third in the 5-km race.
* All three Czech teams - Chmel Blsany, Sigma Olomouc and Marila
Pribram - advanced to the third round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Blsany
defeated Belarus' Transmash Mogilev 6-2 and 2-0, Olomouc, after a 0-2
loss in Bulgaria, hammered Velbazd Kjustendil 8-0. Pribram advanced past
Austria's LASK Linz at the end of their rematch. After a 1-1 tie in
Linz, Pribram won 3-2 on the goals of Marek Kulic and Daniel Smejkal in
the 87th and 90th minutes. Pribram will host Aston Villa in the third
round; if both teams advance to the fourth round, Olomouc will meet
Blsany. Sports in brief by Ondrej Trunecka/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
The beginning of July this year looks suspiciously like fall. It's
cloudy, rainy nighttime temperatures are around 10 degrees Celsius/50
degrees Fahrenheit, and in the daytime they do not approach 20 degrees
Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit. The strongest earthquake in 20 years
(4.8 on the Richter scale) was recorded July 11 in Austria and Hungary.
Just outside Prague, in Pruhonice, the Richter scale registered a 4.4.
Dear Readers,
We wish to apologize for the tardiness of this issue and Carolina 381,
and we believe your Carolina will not be afflicted again this summer. We
are sorry for any inconvenience caused by the delay and hope you enjoy
our service.
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