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Carolina (English) No 394
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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 394, Thursday, November 16, 2000
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 8 - November 15)
Senate Elections - Zielenec Only Victor in First Round
About 33.6 per cent of the electorate came to vote in the first
round of Senate elections November 12. The election will fill one-third
(27 of 81 seats) of the upper chamber of the Czech Parliament. The only
candidate to secure his place in the Senate with a simple majority in
the first round was former Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec. The runoff
election for the remaining 26 seats will take place November 19. The
highest number of runoff candidates (19) on the ballot belongs to the
Four-Party Coalition (Christian Democrats, the Freedom Union, the Civic
Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Union). The Civic Democratic
Party (ODS) will enter the runoff with 18 candidates, followed by the
Communists (8), Social Democrats (5) and independents (2).
Zieleniec, whose dramatic departure from ODS and the government
served as the prelude to a fall of the Klaus Cabinet in November 1997,
defeated ODS Senator Zdenek Klausner in the Prague 4 election district
with 52 per cent of the vote. The incumbent Senate Chairwoman Libuse
Benesova finished surprisingly second in the Benesov district, where
Four-Party Coalition candidate Helena Roegnerova, former director of
Prague's Motol Hospital, nearly won the Senate seat in the first round
with 48 per cent. Miroslav Slouf, the controversional chief of Prime
Minister Milos Zeman's advisers, lost his chance to join the Senate by
finishing third in the closely followed Chrudim district. He was
defeated by former Czech Prime Minister and current Senate Vice Chairman
Petr Pithart (Four-Party Coalition), who will face Petr Stepanek (ODS)
in the runoff.
The ruling Social Democrats suffered heavy losses, including
districts where the party ran its most popular names. Defense Minister
Vladimir Vetchy was defeated in Brno, while the chance to compete in the
runoff eluded also famous Velvet Revolution figures such as economist
and former Czechoslovak Deputy Prime Minister Valtr Komarek in Teplice
and former Czechoslovak Interior Minister Richard Sacher in Nachod.
ODS Chairman Vaclav Klaus said he was alarmed with the strong
performance of Communist candidates and asked the ODS electorate to
support the Four-Party Coalition's candidates in districts without an
ODS candidate.
David Pilar/Milan Smid
Social Democrats Thumped in Regional Elections
The new regional assemblies established by the act dividing the
country into 14 districts (see Carolina 367) were elected simultaneously
with the Senate elections. The regional elections, using a proportional
election system, decided on 675 deputies for 13 regional assemblies. The
14th region of Prague is going to elect its regional legislature in
2002, because the region is still temporarily under a different
electoral act.
Civic Democratic Party (ODS) candidates won 185 seats and the party
won the most votes in seven regions. The second-best showing was by the
Four-Party Coalition (Christian Democrats, the Freedom Union, the Civic
Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Union) with 171 mandates and the
most votes in five regions. Remarkable success was recorded by the
Communists (KSCM), who will be represented by 161 deputies and who
gained the most votes in the Usti nad Labem region in Northern Bohemia.
The total of 111 seats in regional assemblies represents a big
disappointment for the ruling Social Democrats, who finished in all the
districts behind the Communists. Independents and small parties won 47
seats. While ODS and the Four-Party Coalition rejected any cooperation
with the Communists in regional assemblies, the Social Democrats did not
rule out the possibility of cooperation with the third-strongest party,
which is the only pre-1989 ruling party in Central Europe not to expunge
the word "communist" from its name.
Prime Minister Milos Zeman took responsibility for the disastrous
election results, but he said he will remain as party chairman till
April, when his mandate will expire - Zeman has long said he will not
seek re-election at that time.
David Pilar/Milan Smid
Czech Politicians Reject EU Report
Prime Minister Milos Zeman received the official annual report of
the European Commission in Prague November 9. In one supplemental
evaluation of economic factors, the Czech Republic was placed in the
third tier of EU candidate countries. The countries best prepared
economically for EU membership, according to the evaluation, are Cyprus
and Malta, with the second group consisting of Poland, Hungary and
Estonia. The Czech Republic and Slovenia made up the third group.
Overall the report sounds more positively than it did in previous
years and acknowledges the considerable progress made by the Czech
Republic. It warns, though, that based on economic criteria the Czech
Republic is not ready to join the EU. The Czech economy "could" be
considered a market economy, the report says, while the economies of
Poland, Hungary and Estonia are market economies. The report says the
Czech Republic has not made any progress since last year in judicial
reform, in the fight against corruption, border security and
restructuring Czech Railways and the energy sector.
Prague was surprised by its relegation to third tier. "These are
unpleasant signals that cannot be taken lightly," said President Vaclav
Havel. Vaclav Klaus, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies and of the
Civic Democratic Party (ODS), categorically rejected placing the Czech
Republic in the third tier. Pavel Telicka, the Czech Republic's chief EU
negotiator and deputy foreign minister, said he considers the economic
comparison with the other candidate countries non-objective.
EU Commissar for Expansion Gunter Verheugen said he was also
surprised by the economic evaluation of candidate countries. He said he
also does not understand the stunned rejections offered by Czech
politicians. He said the differences between the countries are minimal.
"I do not have the slightest doubt that the Czech Republic will be among
the first new members of the EU," said Verheugen to Czech journalists
during a press conference in Brussels November 9.
Vera Vonavkova/Sofia Karakeva
Greek President Visits Prague
Greek President Konstantinos Stefanopulos arrived in Prague
November 13 for an official three-day visit, his first to the Czech
Republic. Industry Minister Joannis Papandoniu accompanied him.
Stefanopulos met November 14 with Czech President Vaclav Havel in Prague
Castle. They mainly discussed the expansion of the European Union (EU).
Stefanopulos said Greece (the only Balkan country in the EU and
NATO) no longer makes EU expansion contingent on Cyprus being accepted
in the first wave, as it had done in the past. He described relations
between the Czech Republic and Greece as honest. They also discussed the
political situation in the Balkans and the improvement in Greek-Turkish
relations (Havel visited Turkey last month).
That afternoon Stefanopulos visited Charles University in Prague
and the Vision 97 foundation of Dagmar and Vaclav Havel and was told
about its projects. He also met with representatives of the 7,000 Greeks
living in the Czech Republic. Stefanopulos also met Prague Mayor Jan
Kasl, who presented him with the symbolic keys to the city. He also met
Chamber of Deputies and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Chairman Vaclav
Klaus.
Relations between the countries are considered to be extraordinary.
At the end of the 40's, after the civil war in Greece, the former
Czechoslovakia accepted more than 15,000 leftist Greek fugitives.
Both countries co-operated on a peace initiative last year during
the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. The two countries' foreign ministers,
George Papandreu and Jan Kavan, drafted the initiative. The initiative,
which went against stated NATO objectives in the conflict, was
a diplomatic disaster.
Stefanopulos, 74, was re-elected as president for another five
years this February. After the military coup in 1967 he emigrated to
France, from where, after seven years, he returned to a democratic
Greece. He served in a variety of positions in conservative governments
and today the leading socialist party PASOK (PanHellenic Social Party)
also supports him. He is believed to support bilateral talks between
Greece and Turkey.
Marie Sternova/Sofia Karakeva
NEWS IN BRIEF
* Prime Minister Milos Zeman cancelled his planned Vienna meeting
with Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel November 8. This was
Zeman's reaction to the Czech-Austrian border-crossing blockade (see
Carolina 393). When the blockades were suspended the same day, he asked
for an official statement that they would not be renewed.
* President Vaclav Havel November 14 signed into law eight bills
approved both by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The Criminal
Code amendments increases penalties for people who incite racist and
class hatred and for movements that support the oppression of human
rights and liberties. Denial of Nazi and Communist genocide will be
punished by six to 36 months of imprisonment.
* Squatters from the Ladronka squat were moved out by the police
November 9. A luxurious medical center will be built on the premises of
the former squat.
Petr Frinta and Gabriela Pribilova/Simon Dominik
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
One Czech Dies in Kaprun
A 20-year old Czech female ski-instructor is among the
approximately 160 victims of the November 11 tragic explosion in the
cable-car tunnel in the Austrian ski area of Kaprun. The Czech skier,
who formerly represented the Czech Republic in acrobatic skiing, was
added to the list of missing and probably deceased people November 14.
Gabriela Pribilova/Simon Dominik
SLOVAKIA
Referendum on Early Elections Invalid
The November 11 referendum on early elections ended in a debacle
for former Premier Vladimir Meciar and his Movement for a Democratic
Slovakia (HZDS). Of eligible voters, 20.3 per cent came to polling
stations, which means the results of the referendum are invalid,
according to the Slovak Constitution. Of those who voted, 92 per cent
wanted early elections.
The district of Kysucke Nove Mesto had the best attendance - 46 per
cent of eligible voters came. Those in Dunajska Streda were extremely
unconcerned, as 1 per cent of eligible voters cast votes.
Representatives of the ruling coalition's parties, who told
citizens not to vote, did not take part in voting. Meciar, as he has in
the past, disappeared on the day of the vote and has not made any
statement to the media. Nevertheless, it is said that HZDS might protest
the result and take legal steps at the Constitutional Court with the
argument that voters were being intimidated.
Zdenek Sloboda/Zdenek Sloboda
FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF
* In its annual report, the European Commission evaluated Slovakia as
a functioning market economy on the right path. It criticized especially
the lack of legislative changes and the way reforms are being
implemented. The report also pointed out that the political discord
within the government could slow economic transformation. However,
Slovak politicians said they were satisfied with the evaluation, and
Deputy Premier for Integration Pavol Hamzik said the report did not
contain any surprises.
Zdenek Sloboda/Zdenek Sloboda
ECONOMY
Government Extends Uranium Mining
The government confirmed November 8 that uranium mining in the
Czech Republic will be extended till 2003. Trade Minister Miroslav
Gregr's proposal to put off the termination of uranium mining by two
years was successful. The proposal consists of exploiting the full yield
of the Rozna mine and setting the winding-up date as late as January 1,
2004, said government speaker Libor Roucek.
The Environment Ministry criticized the plan for not being
economical. According to the ministry, the decision also contradicts an
agreement with the EU on ceasing the mining by the end of 2001.
The state-owned mining company Diamo demanded that the mining be
extended, because they have a five-year contract with the Czech Electric
Company (Ceske energeticke zavody, CEZ) on the supply of uranium to the
Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants. Diamo is to cover CEZ's needs
fully until 2003; it should supply 50 per cent and 20 per cent of the
uranium in the following years.
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* Belgium's KBC Bank has purchased 100 per cent of the shares of the
Czech investment bank Patria Finance November 11. Patria is one of the
leading domestic investment banks, while KBC Bank controls more than
half the Czech retail-banking market through its control of the
Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka, CSOB) and the
Investment and Postal Bank (Investicni a postovni banka, IPB).
* The percentage of 1999 export sales for Czech companies surveyed by
the government's Czechtrade agency was 65 per cent, a 5-per-cent
increase from the previous year. "The heightened sensitivity of of sales
to export success cannot be evaluated negatively. particularly with the
weakened purchasing power of the Czech population in 1999. This
indicator shows the continuing penetration of Czech companies into
foreign markets," said Czechtrade General Director Martin Tlapa November
8.
* Direct foreign investment in the Czech Republic arranged by the
government's CzechInvest agency should exceed 1.4 billion USD by the end
of November, a 100-per-cent increase compared to last year.
Economy section prepared by Ales Borovan/Stepan Vorlicek
Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid November 16)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 34.665
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 20.951
Great Britain 1 GBP 57.648
Denmark 1 DKK 4.647
Japan 100 JPY 37.168
Canada 1 CAD 26.074
IMF 1 XDR 51.881
Hungary 100 HUF 13.150
Norway 1 NOK 4.311
New Zealand 1 NZD 16.020
Poland 1 PLN 8.872
Greece 100 GRD 10.193
Slovakia 100 SKK 81.007
Slovenia 100 SIT 16.394
Sweden 1 SEK 4.011
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.781
USA 1 USD 40.318
Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 17.724
Belgium 100 BEF 85.932
Finland 1 FIM 5.830
France 1 FRF 5.285
Ireland 1 IEP 44.015
Italy 1000 ITL 17.903
Luxemburg 100 LUF 85.932
Netherlands 1 NLG 15.730
Portugal 100 PTE 17.291
Austria 1 ATS 2.519
Spain 100 ESP 20.834
CULTURE
National Gallery Presents Czech Gothic Art Collection
The Medieval Art in Bohemia And Central Europe (1200-1550) exhibit
was opened November 14 to the public in the St. Agnes of Bohemia
Monastery. The collection, which had been installed in the St. George
Monastery at Prague Castle since 1976, is now presented in
a Central-European context. It contains works made not only in the
historical area of the Bohemian Kingdom, but also from the Danube Basin,
Saxony and Southern Germany.
The exhibit had to be rearranged, because it was incomplete due to
the restitution of some items in the St. George Monastery. Jiri Fajtl
and Stepanka Chlumska set about the task, realizing their plans as part
of the Prague, European City of Culture 2000 project. Thanks to them the
public can see the works as an exceptional set of liturgical tools of
the period, including several items borrowed from the St. Vitus
treasure. Late Gothic art makes up the majority of the exhibited works.
Katerina Komadova/Adam Fendrych
CULTURE IN BRIEF
* Czech poet, novelist, playwright and journalist Jaroslav Strnad
died November 10 at the age of 82 in the Swiss town of Obstalden. Strnad
made his debut with a collection of poetry in 1946 in which he described
his experiences in the concentration camp in Dachau. He emigrated to
Germany in 1950, where he worked in Radio Free Europe. When he moved to
Switzerland he worked as editor-in-chief of the exile magazine
Newsletter (Zpravodaj) in Zurich, he cooperated with the Australian
bi-weekly Voice of Home (Hlas domova) and with Toronto-based
Sixty-Eight Publishers.
* Culture Minister Pavel Dostal and First Councellor of the European
Commission delegation Ralf Dreyer November 9 in Liberec opened the State
Science Library, also called the Building of Reconciliation. The police
feared anti-Jewish provocations because part of the library is a Jewish
synagogue, the first synagogue built in Eastern Europe after WWII. On
the same site the Nazis set fire to one of Europe's biggest synagogues
November 9, 1938, during the Crystal Night.
* An exhibit of the work of Czech sculptor and graphic artist
Frantisek Bilek (1872-1941) will be open from November 10 till February
4 in the Riding School of Prague Castle. Bilek graduated from Prague's
Academy of Fine Arts, but his work received its due years later, during
his studies in Paris. The exhibit presents not only his best-known works
from the 30's, but also Bilek's graphics and book illustrations.
Katerina Komadova and Petr Frinta/Pavla Krizkova
SPORTS
UEFA Cup: Slavia Moves on, Liberec Stays Home
Slavia Praha - OFI Crete 4-1 (0-0)
After an inconsistent first half, Slavia defeated its troublesome
opponent by three goals and, because of the 2-2 tie in the first game in
Crete, it advanced to the next round. Slavia will meet Croatia's Osijek,
leader of Croatian league.
A scoreless tie was enough for Slavia to advance, so the home team
did not attack too aggressively the opponent's goal. After the break new
Slavia coach Karel Jarolim sent in two new offensive players, Tomas
Kuchar and Petr Svancara, which made Slavia's play more inspired.
However, Crete scored the first goal, when Munoz stole the ball
from Adam Petrous in the 60th minute. One minute later Kuchar tied and
Ludek Zelenka then accomplished a hat trick.
Slovan Liberec - Liverpool FC 2-3 (1-1)
Despite elimination from the Cup, Liberec can be satisfied. It made
its famous opponent nervous about the outcome of this game. Liberec
scored on its second chance, in the 9th minute, when Roman Jun got free
on the left wing and Jiri Stajner's header was true.
The English team, with Czech Vladimir Smicer in the lineup, started
to surround Liberec's penalty box, and Nick Barmby's goal after
Christian Ziege's free kick tied the score. However, the game continued
at a fast pace, with Stajner and Liuni were not far from scoring, while
on the Liverpool side Emile Heskey hit the post.
In the 76th minute, Heskey scored the second and substitute Michael
Owen the third goals for Liverpool. David Breda scored for Liberec when
he touched the ball for the first time after coming onto the pitch. The
fans applauded their team despite the 2-3 loss.
Adam Fendrych/Mirek Langer
Karjala Cup: Czechs Finish Last
The hockey Karjala Cup took place in Finland November 9-12. The
Czech team finished in last place after three losses to Finland, Sweden
and Russia (in the order of the final standings of the tournament). The
standings of the Euro Hockey Tour, the unofficial European
Championships, are the same, with the Czech team in fourth place.
The national team, weakened by injuries, suffered from poor
shooting and mistakes on defense. "Poor finishing is a problem for all
hockey players at all levels. And I cannot teach them to finish in three
practices," said coach Josef Augusta after the last game.
Some leaders from the past seasons left the national team for the
NHL, including Frantisek Kucera, David Vyborny, Tomas Vlasak, Pavel
Patera, Ladislav Benysek and Roman Cechmanek. Those expected to succeed
them, such as Martin Havlat and Martin Spanhel, have followed them
across the ocean. The novices are still finding their places in the
team. According to Augusta, more players from the NHL, up to half the
squad, could appear on the Czech team for the World Championships.
Results: Sweden - Czech Republic 4-1 (Czech goal scored by
Cajanek). Czech Republic - Finland 1-2 after penalty shots (Vostrak).
Czech Republic - Russia 1:2 (Prochazka).
Adam Fendrych/Mirek Langer
Sparta Wins Autumn Half of Soccer League
After defeating second-place Teplice 2-1, Sparta has sewn up the
championship of the autumn part of the soccer season in the 14th round.
It has nine points more than the three teams tied for second: Teplice,
Pribram and Liberec. Sparta also has to play two more, postponed games.
The biggest audience of the round watched the game between Sparta
and Teplice and the great show by Sparta midfielder Vaclav Kolousek. He
was included in the starting lineup for the second time since he came
from Italy's Salernitana, and he scored both goals.
Liberec's players allowed three goals at home again after losing to
Liverpool 2-3. Pribram defeated the Northern-Bohemian team 3-1, tying
its opponent in second place of the standings. Slavia continues its poor
performance and under new coach Karel Jarolim lost in Blsany.
In the game between Bohemians and Brno (2-0), referee Jaroslav
Bejlek disallowed Patrik Siegl's goal for a hand touch. After the end of
the game he confessed his mistake and apologized to Siegl. The referee
was suspended for four games.
Results of the 14th round: Ostrava - Olomouc 1-1, Sparta Praha
- Teplice 2-1, Blsany - Slavia Praha 2-1, Bohemians Praha - Brno 2-0,
Drnovice - Ceske Budejovice 2-0, Stare Mesto - Jablonec 1-1, Plzen
- Zizkov 0-0, Liberec - Pribram 1-3.
Standings after the 14th round: 1. Sparta Praha 33 points, 2.
Teplice 24, 3. Pribram 24, 4. Liberec 24, 5. Olomouc 20, 6. Stare Mesto
20, 7. Bohemians Praha 19, 8. Slavia Praha 18, 9. Blsany 16, 10. Zizkov
16, 11. Drnovice 15, 12. Jablonec 13, 13. Ostrava 12, 14. Ceske
Budejovice 11, 15. Plzen 9, 16. Brno 8.
Petr Adam/Mirek Langer
Hockey Extraleague: Budejovice Defeats First-Place Pardubice
The debacle of first-place Pardubice on the ice of
second-to-last-place Ceske Budejovice was the biggest event in the 22nd
round of the hockey extraleague. Budejovice led 4-0 in the 25th minute,
Jiri Simunek recorded a hat trick. Canadian defenseman Jonathan Aitken
played his first game for Sparta Praha in a rematch of the last year's
final between Sparta and Vsetin. Sparta lost after Slovak Jan Pardavy's
overtime goal. Jiri Dopita scored both Vsetin goals in regulation.
Results of the 22nd round: Vsetin - Sparta Praha 3-2, Trinec
- Litvinov 2-3, Vitkovice - Plzen 3-1, Slavia Praha - Zlin 5-2, Havirov
- Karlovy Vary 4-2, Znojmo - Kladno 4-3, Ceske Budejovice - Pardubice
7-3.
Standings: 1. Pardubice 41 points, 2. Vsetin 41, 3. Litvinov 40,
4. Vitkovice 38, 5. Plzen 35, 6. Sparta 34, 7. Trinec 34, 8. Zlin 32,
9. Znojmo 29, 10. Slavia 28, 11. Karlovy Vary 26, 12. Havirov 26, 13.
Ceske Budejovice 23, 14. Kladno 19.
Petr Adam/Mirek Langer
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Czech athletes who won medals in the Sydney Olympics received their
prize money from Education Minister Eduard Zeman and Czech Olympic
Committee President Milan Jirasek November 14. The gold-medal winners
- canoeist Stepanka Hilgertova and javelin thrower Jan Zelezny
- received 1 million crowns each, while shooter Petr Malek, decathlete
Roman Sebrle and boxer Rudolf Kraj received 500,000 each for their
silvers. Shooter Martin Tenk and triathlete Jan Rehula won 300,000
crowns each.
* Legendary Czech track and field athlete Emil Zatopek is still
fighting for his live in the Central Military Hospital in Prague and his
condition is critical. According to his wife Dana, he does not recognize
his environment and is not reacting. His fever and pneumonia have
abated, but he remains unconscious. Zatopek, the four-time Olympic
gold-medal winner from 1948 and 1952, has been in the hospital's
intensive care unit since October 30.
Stepan Vorlicek/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
It appears the weather has decided to make the best of November.
The sun shines sometimes, the wind sometimes blows, daytime temperatures
are about 10 degrees Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit. But when darkness
falls (now before 5 p.m.), it gets cold. Morning motorists must scrape
the frost off their windshields, but the snow is holding off, for now.
Dana Zlatohlavkova
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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