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Carolina (English) No 373
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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 373, Friday, April 28, 2000.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 19 - April 26)
Novak Trial Begins Unraveling ODS Secret Financing
Former Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice Chairman Josef Zieleniec
testified April 25, followed the next day by longtime party Chairman and
former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus in the Prague City Court. Judge
Michal Hodousek called them to the stand to hear their versions of the
party's dubious financing, which became public in 1996 (see Carolina
201) and led to the fall of Klaus' government in autumn 1997 (see
Carolina 267).
The court is trying to determine whether former ODS Executive Vice
Chairman Libor Novak intentionaly attributed sponsor contributions to
a larger number of fictional sponsors and thus evaded taxes. ODS
received almost 15 million crowns in two donations in 1995, half from
businessman and former pro tennis player Milan Srejber and half from
Jarmila Mlejnkova, secretary for the 1. Silas company (see Carolina
372).
The biggest breakthrough at the trial came during the testimony of
ODS Vice Chairman Miroslav Macek. "In November 1997 in the ODS financial
commission Libor Novak said he had been contacted by a group of
businessmen from Northern Moravia and among them were people interested
in the privatization of the Trinec Ironworks (Trinecke zelezarny). He
told it wouldn't be appropriate to give ODS money when the government
was deciding about the privatization. He advised them not to give the
money or to get other people who would transfer ODS the money."
Zieleniec said he knew about 7.5 million crowns attributed to Lajos
Bacs (a dead Hungarian) and Radjiv Sinha (a Mauritian who never heard of
ODS) and he suspected it was a front for money and connected with the
ironworks. He emphasized that he told everything to Klaus in the spring
of 1996. Zieleniec said he learned everything from his adviser and later
ambassador to Sweden Petr Kolar, who himself learned the information
from media expert Michal Kuzmiak after a meeting with Novak at ODS
headquarters.
Because several witnesses failed to appear, the judge postponed the
trial to June 7.
Martin Rusek/Ondrej Maly
Government Reconstruction Done
President Vaclav Havel April 26 recalled on the proposal of Prime
Minister Milos Zeman two ministers and named their sucessors. Regional
Development Minister Jaromir Cisar was succeeded by Social Democrat
(CSSD) Vice Chairman Petr Lachnit and Transportation Minister Antonin
Peltram by deputy Jaromir Schling.
Both former ministers said they believe the reason for their recall
was the agreement between the Social Democrats and the Civic Democratic
Party (ODS). ODS supported the 2000 state budget in exchange for four
changes in the government. Zeman, however, denies that was the nature of
the agreement. Zeman said the changes were not forced on him by ODS,
because in that case the first ministers to be recalled would have been
Finance Minister Pavel Mertlik and Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr, both
highly criticized by ODS.
Lenka Ludvikova/Ondrej Maly
Occupying Strike in Kohinoor Mine Ends
Miners of the Kohinoor coal mine ended their 23-day occupying
strike April 21 even though not all their demands were met.
All 46 miners returned to surface that afternoon, threatened with
the immediate loss of all their benefits because of a "gross violation
of employee conduct" by the mine's owner - the Most Coal Company
(Mostecka uhelna spolecnost, MUS). The miners' main demands - selling
the mine and changes in the board of directors - were not met. Other
requests were fulfilled - the mine's closing will be extended another
four years (which will help half the miners, with the second half being
let go by the end of this year), the miners were given a seat on the
mine's board of directors and the strikers will not be punished.
The Trade Ministry promised to find 600 million crowns for helping
ease the effects of cutbacks at the mine. Agreements between miners and
MUS contain a one-month delay on the first wave of layoffs and extra
severance pay. The miners are not unanimous as to whether their protest
was successful.
Jakub Trnka/Veronika Hankusova
Oppression Period Memorial Still Discussed
Debate over creating the Memorial to the Period of Oppression
1939-1989 (Pamatnik doby nesvobody) is still filling the Czech media.
The proposal of an institute for the research and documentation of the
nature of totalitarian regimes was submitted by the upper chamber of the
Czech Parliament - the Senate. However, the lower chamber, the Chamber
of Deputies, rejected the bill April 5 on the votes of the ruling Social
Democrats and the Communists, supported by several deputies of Vaclav
Klaus' Civic Democratic Party (ODS).
Opposition to the memorial focused on the definition of the period.
Some deputies claimed the period 1945-1948 (the Communists seized
control of the former Czechoslovakia in a coup in February 1948) cannot
be called a period of oppression. The bill was not passed after the
period between May 1945 and February 1948 was explicitely removed from
the wording of the bill.
Jakub Tronicek/Milan Smid
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Ruml and Zantovsky March in Chernobyl Protest
Senators Jan Ruml (Freedom Union, US) and Michael Zantovsky (Civic
Democratic Alliance, ODA) arrived April 23 in Minsk, the Belarus
capital. The Belarus opposition organized for April 26 a march to
comemmorate the 14th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power station
accident, which affected a large part of Belarus. The Czech senators
participated in the march, which was also used as a demonstration for
Belarus independence and against the iron-handed regime of President
Alexander Lukashenko.
Ruml and Zantovsky also met representantives of the Helsinki Watch
in Belarus and Charter 97, a pro-democratic movement inspired by the
Czechoslovak Charter 77 movement. Those groups are working closely with
the largest opposition party, the Belarus Popular Front.
Jan Skala/Milan Smid
Two Czechs Cross Atlantic on Ultralight Catamaran
Sailors Martin Duchac and David Krizek arrived after an exhausting
journey to the port of Le Marine on the Caribbean island of Martinique
April 19. They sailed more than 6,700 kilometers in 40 days from Spanish
port of Cadiz.
The journey on the catamaran Sector, weighing 230 kg and seven
meters long, earned the two Czechs membership in the extreme-sports club
No Limits. The craft endured a few storms, one of which destroyed the
rudder and forced them to use a paddle to steer the boat the last 1,000
kilometers.
Michal Pospisil/Darina Johanidesova
FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN BRIEF
* The Czech Republic will have its own research station in
Antarctica. It will be built on King George Island, where the weather is
not too extreme, probably near a colony of penguins. The building will
mean an investment of about 40 million crowns over five years. The
station should last at least 40 years and will be used five months
a year.
* The Czech Republic and Thailand signed an agreement on the transfer
of felons and prison cooperation. In a Thai jail sit two Czechs serving
50-year sentences for smuggling heroin. If they return to the Czech
Republic, they would spend years in jail here but probably a much
shorter period than in Thailand. Thailand is very strict in prosecuting
drug smugglers and a 50-year sentence is moderate.
David Mirejovsky/Darina Johanidesova
FROM SLOVAKIA
Meciar Brought by Force to Deposition
A special commando from the Slovak Interior Ministry April 20 broke
into the residence of former Premier Vladimir Meciar, who had for five
weeks refused subpoenas to give a deposition. Meciar was first asked to
testify in the case of the kidnapping of former President Michal
Kovac's son. Meciar himself was then accused of giving illegal bonus
payments to former members of his government. After two hours with the
police, Meciar said he did not tell them anything.
Justice Minister Jan Carnogursky said the raid on the Meciar's
bunker was lawful. Meciar had been in a pension in Trencianske Teplice
belonging to his family.
About 1,500 members of Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia
(HZDS) demonstrated April 21 in Bratislava against the raid.
Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Chairman Vaclav Klaus, a longtime
Meciar supporter, said Slovakia became a less civilized country.
Andrea Slovakova/Jakub Jirovec
SDL' Proposes Government Reconstruction
The Government coalition partner Party of the Democratic Left
(SDL') Chairman Jozef Migas proposed April 20 the reconstruction of the
Slovak government. Vice premiers should, according to the SDL' plan,
take control of appropriate ministries. The vice premier for economy
would take over the Finance Ministry, the vice premier for legislation
would take over the Justice Ministry and the vice premier for European
integration would lead the Foreign Ministry. Migas also proposed
abolishing the Privatization Ministry.
Migas, also chairman of the National Assembly, was one of the
legislators who gave a vote of no-confidence to the Cabinet of Premier
Mikulas Dzurinda one week earlier (see Carolina 372).
Andrea Slovakova/Jakub Jirovec
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* The Czech Repulic's trade deficit rose slightly. The country's
deficit in March was 5.7 billion crowns, which is 5.2 billion less than
in March 1999. Since the beginning of 2000 the overall deficit is 18.9
billion crowns, which is 2.1 billion crowns more than in the same period
last year. Imports increased because of raw materials, especially the
high price of oil. The Czech Republic also imported a significant amount
of chemical products, machinery, consumer goods and foodstuffs. The last
items also made up the majority of Czech exports, which headed mainly
into EU countries. The trade balance with Slovakia in March was
a 1.134-billion-crown surplus, since the beginning of the year the
surplus is 3.526 billion crowns.
Lubos Kratochvil/Simon Dominik
* Czech National Bank Governor Josef Tosovsky announced April 25 that
the bank is aiming for 2 per cent to 4 per cent nominal inflation by the
end of 2001. Consumer prices should rise by 4.3 per cent to 5.8 per
cent. Analysts say interest rates should remain at their present level.
The long-term aim of the bank is nominal and total inflation between 1
per cent and 3 per cent by 2005, which represents average inflation in
EU countries.
* The US dollar cost 39.24 crowns April 26, yet another record high,
and the crown continued to fall. The fall is caused partly by the
weakening Euro and the surge of American stock markets. Prices of goods
purchased by importers in dollars, such as Asian electronics and
tropical fruit, will rise in the Czech Republic. Although oil prices
have declined, gasoline in the Czech Republic will not be cheaper. The
dollar is not expected to weaken in the foreseeable future.
Jan Skala/Simon Dominik
Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid April 28)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 36.240
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 23.186
Great Britain 1 GBP 61.962
Denmark 1 DKK 4.857
Japan 100 JPY 37.019
Canada 1 CAD 26.653
IMF 1 XDR 52.214
Hungary 100 HUF 14.031
Norway 1 NOK 4.435
New Zealand 1 NZD 19.164
Poland 1 PLN 9.141
Greece 100 GRD 10.782
Slovakia 100 SKK 87.217
Slovenia 100 SIT 17.761
Sweden 1 SEK 4.425
Switzerland 1 CHF 23.023
USA 1 USD 39.342
Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 18.529
Belgium 100 BEF 89.837
Finland 1 FIM 6.095
France 1 FRF 5.525
Ireland 1 IEP 46.015
Italy 1000 ITL 18.716
Luxemburg 100 LUF 89.837
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.445
Portugal 100 PTE 18.076
Austria 1 ATS 2.634
Spain 100 ESP 21.781
CULTURE
Langhans' Photo Gallery of Celebrities
The exhibit Langhans' Studio in Prague's Rudolfinum presents the
history of the turn of the century through photographs.
Photographs of more than 100,000 people were taken in Jan Langhans'
studio from 1888 - 1948. In his atelier, Langhans also created a great
archive of contemporary well-known people. Although his collection was
destroyed in the 50's, two years ago workers discoverd part of his
archive while renovating a house in Prague's Vodickova Street.
Photographs of Czech politicians (Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, Karel Kramar)
and actors were discovered in 300 boxes hidden in Langhans' former
studio. The pictures shown at the exhibit developed made from these
original negatives by photographer Ivan Lutter. The exhibit is taking
place across November 17 Street from an exhibit of the early photographs
of Frantisek Drtikol in the Museum of Applied Arts.
Andrea Slovakova/Zuzana Janeckova
Gott Shines in Moscow, EXPO 2000 next
Almost 6,000 Russian fans wildly welcomed April 22 Czech pop singer
Karel Gott. Gott performed in the Kremlin Congress Palace after
a 13-year absence. Crowds of female fans threw mounds of flowers on the
stage and after the approximately two-hour show did not want to let him
leave. Gott performed several encores, from which the most successful
ones were those sung in Russian.
Gott's fears before the show were unfounded. "I am returning to an
audience that liked me. I'm more nervous than anywhere else, more than
in (Prague's) Lucerna," he said.
Before the performance in Moscow, organizers of the EXPO 2000 in
Hannover confirmed April 20 that Gott will represent the Czech Republic
there. "It seems that nothing is standing in the way for him singing in
the EXPO Plaza June 7 on the Czech Republic's National Day," said to the
daily Pravo EXPO Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe Andrej
Sarkany. Gott's performance was endangered by the fact that German
organizers found out in March they did not have a hall for the concert.
Gott had hesitated whether to perform, because when the idea was floated
a wave of protest appeared, with Gott being called a "zombie" in one
controversial editorial by Zdenek Lukes.
Pavel Novotny/Veronika Hankusova
SPORTS
Czech Hockey Players Unconvincing before World Championship
The Czech national hockey team played two friendly matches with
Russia in Mlada Boleslav April 19 and in Prague April 20. Coach Josef
Augusta was not excited by his team's performance: the Czechs won the
first game 2-1 and lost the second one 1-3. The World Championships will
start April 29 in St. Petersburg in Russia.
The first game started well for the Czech team: Martin Prochazka
opened the scoring on Frantisek Kucera's pass and at the beginning of
the second period good teamwork by Petr Cajanek and Martin Spanhel led
to the second Czech goal. Russia then started its offensive, which led
to Valery Karpov's goal in 47th minute.
The second game was filled with fighting. Referees sent off 25
players for almost 100 minutes of penalties. Russia took the lead in the
second period with Alexei Kudashov and Karpov's goals, David Vyborny
lowered to 1-2, but Russia added another goal for the final 3-1 margin.
Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer
National Soccer Team Defeats Israel in Friendly Match
Czech soccer players met Israel in Prague April 26. Coach Jozef
Chovanec had one of the last chances to test his team before the
upcoming Euro 2000. The Czechs won 4-1 after Pavel Nedved scored two
goals and Jan Koller and Rene Wagner each added one. We will add more
details in the next issue of Carolina.
Only a 10-days camp in May in Austria and a friendly game against
Germany June 3 remain on the national team's schedule before the
championships.
Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer
Soccer League: Unexpected Exchange in First Place
In the 26th round, second-place Sparta Praha took advantage of
Slavia's failure in Jablonec and after its win over Liberec it took
first place in the soccer league standings.
Slavia came to Jablonec with a will to win, but the home team
defended tough and the game finished in a 0-0 draw. "Play in red shirts
next time," shouted angry midfield player Pavel Horvath, alluding to how
Jablonec helped red-clad Sparta with its performance. Sparta took the
lead against Liberec on a questionable goal, scored by Horst Siegl after
his teammate Lokvenc fouled Liberec's goalkeeper. Vladimir Kozuch
managed to tie right away and Sparta chose an unusual tactic: it played
with four forwards. Seven minutes before the end of the game Lokvenc's
shot deflected off the bar and off goalkeeper Kinsky into the net.
Opava scored again after 304 minutes of scorelessness at its home
stadium and defeated Olomouc 3-0.
Results of the 26th round: Sparta Praha - Liberec 2-1, Zizkov
- Drnovice 2-0, Pribram - Bohemians Praha 3-0, Opava - Olomouc 3-0, Brno
- Ostrava 2-1, Ceske Budejovice - Hradec Kralove 2-1, Teplice - Blsany
0-0, Jablonec - Slavia Praha 0-0.
Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 66, 2. Slavia Praha 65, 3. Drnovice 46,
4. Brno 36, 5. Bohemians Praha 35, 6. Teplice 33, 7. Liberec 32, 8.
Blsany 32, 9. Zizkov 31, 10. Ceske Budejovice 31, 11. Pribram 30, 12.
Olomouc 29, 13. Ostrava 28, 14. Opava 27, 15. Jablonec 24, 16. Hradec
Kralove 20.
Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Ceske Budejovice's men's volleyball players won the first
extraleague championship in the club's history. They won the regular
season standings and in the playoffs they defeated Perstejn 3-1 in the
best-of-five series and in the final, they beat Liberec 2-0.
* Frenstat won the women's volleyball extraleague, defeating Brno in
the finals. Frenstat won the regular season, then defeated Stresovice
and Ostrava 3-0 in best-of-five series. In the finals, Brno resisted,
but Frenstat won the deciding fifth game and celebrated the title.
* The Gambrinus Brno's women basketball team won the extraleague for
the fifth time in a row. It did not lose a game in the league, in the
semifinals it defeated Lachema Brno after three wins in best-of-five
series and in the final three games were again enough for Gambrinus to
beat Prerov.
* The under-21 national soccer team lost in Italy 0-2 in its last
preparation match before the European Championships.
Alzbeta Trousilova and Dita Kristanova/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Let the sun shine - the refrain from the musical Hair could have
been the motto of Easter weekend. Temperatures of 25-28 degrees
Celsius/77-82 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudless skies took us with
a great leap into the middle of summer. Nevertheless, the village of
Studnice in the Vyskov region of Moravia suffered a horrifying
experience - a clash of warm and cold air caused a local tornado that
destroyed in 20 minutes nearly all the roofs on the village's houses.
Petra Kovacova/Milan Smid
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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