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Carolina (English) No 429
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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 429, Friday, August 24, 2001
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (August 9 - August 22)
British Immigration Checks Return to Ruzyne Airport
The Czech Cabinet August 22 approved the British request to check
travelers to London again at Prague's Ruzyne Airport. Similar checks
were done from July 18 till August 9, and were suspended after a wave of
public criticism (see Carolina 428).
The British Foreign Office asked the Czech government for approval
August 20 and, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, "There was
no alternative, only two options: either airport checks or visa." The
British government's request responded to the rising number of Czech
asylum seekers in Britain after the Prague airport checks were ceased.
Sixty-one asylum applications were registered during last two weeks, and
each application usually represents a whole family.
Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and Chamber of
Deputies Vaclav Klaus criticized the Czech Cabinet's decision: "We shall
not accept a situation in which Great Britain is solving its own
immigration policy problem with the help of the Czech government and at
the Czech citizen's expense."
The Czech government said the airport checks are a lesser evil than
visa requirements. Prime Minister Milos Zeman emphasized on television
August 22 that "visas would affect about 300,000 Czech citizens visiting
Britain every year, who would have to pay 2,000 crowns for a visa,"
while airport checks affect only dozens or hundreds of people.
Czech Soldiers in Macedonia
The first group of Czech soldiers arrived August 17 in Skopje, the
capital of Macedonia, where they are to take part in the Essential
Harvest operation. The purpose of the operation is to monitor the
disarmament of the Albanian Liberation Army (UCK) according to the
treaty signed by the Albanians August 13.
About 3,500 NATO soldiers will be taking part in Essential Harvest
for 30 days. Czech paratroopers, whose number should rise to 120, will
prepare for the arrival of other soldiers , and will serve as a guard
unit during the operation.
It is up to NATO member states if and when Essential Harvest
begins. Their representatives in Brussels are considering whether
conditions were right for the success of the operation, which requires
peace be kept between the Macedonian army and Albanian rebels. The North
Atlantic Council approved the operation August 22.
Temelin up Again, down Again
The Temelin nuclear power plant was activated again August 12 after
three months of repairs to a vibrating turbine (see Carolina 428). The
relaunch of Temelin provoked hostile reactions from some Austrian
politicians and anti-nuclear and environment activists.
News leaked August 15 about new vibrations in the turbine, which
caused an 18-hour shutdown. However, plant officials claimed the
shutdown was used to "balance a rotary part in the turbine." The reactor
August 19 was automatically switched off due to a software error in
a steam-delivery regulator.
Temelin opponents claimed this shutdown was the 23rd since the
beginning of operating tests. According to Temelin management, the
shutdowns are a normal part of the testing procedure and are not related
to nuclear safety problems. Temelin CEO Frantisek Hezoucky said Temelin
is exceptional only in one respect: it is the very first nuclear power
plant where its testing is broadcast live to the public.
Asylum Seekers in Czech Republic on Rise
About 11,400 people have applied for asylum in the Czech Republic
since January 1. The Czech daily MF DNES published August 11 statistics
showing the number of asylum applicants increased by one-third in
comparison with the first seven months of 2000, and the Czech Republic
ranks eighth in the number of asylum seekers, ahead of Sweden, for
example. The majority of asylum seekers come from Ukraine, Moldavia and
Romania, and their reason for leaving their respective countries is more
economically than politically motivated.
According to Czech asylum law, asylum applicants are allowed to
work while their application is being judged. Tomas Haisman, head of the
Interior Ministry's Asylum Department, said, "asylum procedure serves
foreigners as the simplest way to legalize their stay in the Czech
Republic." The Interior Ministry has drafted amendments to the asylum
law to make the procedure stricter. The bill will be heard in Parliament
this fall.
German Chancellor Schroeder Meets with Prime Minister Zeman
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who came for a one-day visit
to the Czech Republic August 21, visited the Skoda Mlada Boleslav car
factory, and the Building of Reconciliation in Liberec, where a new
scientific library and Jewish synagogue were built.
Schroeder met with Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman at Sychrov
Castle near Liberec. Foreign Minister Jan Kavan and Culture Minister
Pavel Dostal were present at the meeting. Zeman said to the press for
the first time that the Czech Republic would accept some limitations on
foreign employment during the EU accession process. On the contrary,
Schroeder repeated that Germany would not block Czech EU membership
because of the Temelin nuclear power plant.
Schroeder was to meet Zeman again August 24 in Frantiskovy Lazne
and Cheb.
Support for EU Entry Fading among Czechs
About four of 10 Czech poll respondents wish to join the European
Union and another 40 per cent still do not know how they would vote in
a referendum on EU membership, according to results of a poll published
by the STEM and Sofres-Factum agencies August 13. The agencies conducted
the poll of 1,653 Czechs in May and compared the results with last
year's findings.
While 48 per cent of respondents endorsed EU entry last October,
40 per cent said yes to the EU this May. And while 22 per cent answered
that they would vote against joining the EU this May, last October 15
per cent opposed EU membership. Czech support for EU membership is now
the lowest in comparison with other EU candidate countries. A similar
poll revealed that 54 per cent of Hungarians, 44 per cent of Poles and
42 per cent of Slovenians would back their countries' EU membership.
NEWS IN BRIEF
* The Senate, the upper chamber of the Czech Parliament, approved
August 9 by a 57-16 vote the Senate bill to open to the public the Czech
archives of the Czechoslovak secret police (StB). Today, Czech citizens
have access only to his or her own file. The Senate proposes free access
to the StB archives to any citizen of legal age. The Senate bill has to
be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and might be changed.
FROM SLOVAKIA
Date for Elections to Self-Rule Regions Announced, Legislation Missing
National Assembly Chairman Jozef Migas unexpectedly announced
December 1 as the date for elections to new self-governing regions. The
powers of the regions have yet to be approved. Migas said it was not an
easy decision because of the political pressure surrounding the reform
of public administration and the lack of necessary legislation. Migas
said conditions for enacting reform as of January 1 are "not ideal, but
realistic."
The government did not submit legislation for the September
assembly session to delineate the regions' authorities. The legislation
could be adopted in an extraordinary session, could be given a fast
track through the legislature or could be presented for the October
session.
The Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK), which is considering leaving
the government over the self-government issue, called the setting of an
election date a gesture aimed against the SMK. Some see the setting of
a date as a signal to end ongoing negotiations on the format of
self-rule. Premier Mikulas Dzurinda welcomed Migas' move, while other
organizations criticized it.
Citizens should in December elect 401 legislators and eight
governors for the regions. There will be a run-off round for the
election of regional governors.
FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF
* The leadership of the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) will meet
August 25 to decide whether to leave the government. The SMK has four
ministers and state secretaries. Although there does not seem to be
a clear consensus among SMK members, a majority approves of leaving the
government. Those in favor of abandoning the government coalition cite
the decision of National Assembly Chairman Jozef Migas to set a date for
elections to self-governing regions; the SMK threatened to leave the
government if the number of regions is not changed from eight to 12.
ECONOMY
Transportation Minister Schling under Attack
About 120 automobiles August 20 blocked the Transportation Ministry
in Prague for almost 10 hours. The demonstration, organized by the
Association of Small Car-Importers and the Driving School Association,
demanded the resignation of Transportation Minister Jaromir Schling.
Importers are incensed over the new law regulating the import of
used cars - they claim missing regulations have prohibited them from
registering any new used cars from abroad since July 1. Driving schools
criticize the new system of tests used for driver's licenses.
The demonstration ended when the organizations were promised an
audience with Prime Minister Milos Zeman August 27.
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
* Two mobile-telephone operators, Eurotel and Radiomobil (Paegas),
were hit with the largest fine ever given by the Office for Protection
of Economic Competition. The operators were fined for gouging customers
on calls to the third and newest operator, Oskar, while calls between
the ostensible competitors remained significantly cheaper. The two
operators appealed the fine and refused to admit the size of the fine,
which is believed to be tens of millions of crowns for each.
* The National Property Fund (FNM) returned its 59-per-cent share in
the Karlovarska Becherovka distillery because of problems with the sale
of the stake. Minority owner Salb, controlled by the French distillery
Pernod Ricard, refuses to buy the FNM stake because of trademark
lawsuits filed by Zdenek Hoffmann, who claims to be the rightful heir to
the secret Becherovka recipe.
* Carmaker Skoda Mlada Boleslav August 10 presented its new model,
the Superb, which should compete with cars in the category of the Ford
Mondeo and Opel Omega.
Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid August 24)
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 34.365
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 20.100
Great Britain 1 GBP 54.498
Denmark 1 DKK 4.614
Japan 100 JPY 31.355
Canada 1 CAD 24.458
IMF 1 XDR 48.630
Hungary 100 HUF 13.562
Norway 1 NOK 4.244
New Zealand 1 NZD 16.500
Poland 1 PLN 8.928
Slovakia 100 SKK 79.360
Slovenia 100 SIT 15.657
Sweden 1 SEK 3.647
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.614
USA 1 USD 37.737
Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 17.571
Belgium 100 BEF 85.189
Finland 1 FIM 5.780
France 1 FRF 5.239
Ireland 1 IEP 43.635
Italy 1000 ITL 17.748
Luxemburg 100 LUF 85.189
Netherlands 1 NLG 15.594
Portugal 100 PTE 17.141
Austria 1 ATS 2.497
Greece 100 GRD 10.085
Spain 100 ESP 20.654
CULTURE
Havel Again Visits Trutnov Rock Festival
More than 10,000 people attended and some 60 bands performed at the
11th Open Air Music Festival, which took place August 17-19 in Trutnov.
The festival started in 1987, when secret police broke up the concerts
and organizers hid equipment at then-dissident Vaclav Havel's cottage in
Hradecek. Havel, now president, stopped by the festival again and saw
the entire performance of the Velvet Underground Revival, which includes
two members of the Plastic People of the Universe.
The festival, as usual, featured a wide palette of styles,
performers included Petr Vasa and Ty Sycaci, Monkey Business, Nerez and
Zuzana Navarova with her band Kola. Rockers from the 60's were
well-received, as was Vaclav Neckar, a pop singer who starred in
a number of classic 1960's Czechoslovak films. The main foreign
attraction was the American band Fear Factory.
Attendance exceeded last year's festival, as organizers continue to
provide a unique atmosphere and surprising performers.
CULTURE IN BRIEF
* The Prague State Opera August 18 kicked off its ninth-annual Verdi
Festival with the opera Troubador. The festival offers five operas and
will last until September 2. Aida is not part of the program, because
some scenery and costumes are being packed for a trip to Japan, where
the troupe will perform in the fall.
SPORTS
Javelin Thrower Zelezny Wins Third World Championships
Jan Zelezny copied decathloner Tomas Dvorak (see Carolina 428) and
won his third track and field World Championships gold medal in Edmonton
August 15. The Czech team won only two medals in Edmonton, thanks to
Dvorak and Zelezny. Three-time Olympic champion Zelezny, 35, celebrated
world titles in 1993 and 1995 besides two bronzes.
Zelezny broke the championships record in qualifications. In the
final, he took the record back with his second attempt - 92.80 meters
- after Finland's Aki Parvianen borrowed the record from Zelezny for
a while (91.31 meters). Greece's Konstantinos Gatsioudis finished third
(89.95m).
Jiri Muzik finished seventh in the 400m hurdles, as did Vera
Pospisilova in the discus.
Slavia Praha Soccer Players Fail to Qualify for Champions League
The prestigious UEFA Champions League has eluded Slavia Praha
again. With 1-2 and 0-1 losses in the qualification round, the club was
eliminated by Panathinaikos Athens. Slavia failed to qualify for the
Champions League for the third time. It was eliminated by Grasshopper
Zurich as the Czech champion in 1996 and by Shakhtar Donetsk as the
Czech league runner-up (the same situation as this year) in 2000. Sparta
Praha will be the only Czech representative in the competition.
The set with the Greeks was more or less decided in the first game,
played in Prague August 8. The Greeks concentrated on fast
counterattacks, taking advantage of them as Nikolaos Liberopoulos and
Giorgios Karagounis scored. After Patrik Gedeon's assist, Pavel Kuka
scored Slavia's goal in the 69th minute, but Slavia was not able to tie.
On the contrary, in the 86th minute Slavia goalkeeper Radek Cerny fouled
Emmanuel Olisadebe in the box and was sent off. Midfield player Richard
Dostalek replaced him between the Czech goal posts for the penalty kick,
but Angelos Basinas missed the target.
The Greeks tightly defended their advantage from Prague in the
rematch August 22. In the 27th minute, Basinas converted a penalty kick
after Lubos Kozel's foul on Rene Henriksen. On the opposite side,
referee Anders Frisk did not order a penalty after a sure foul by
goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis on Pavel Kuka. Slavia will participate in
the UEFA Cup again.
"We do not have players who are able to decide games, to take
responsibility in important moments," said Slavia coach Josef Pesice.
Two goals by Jan Koller on two assists from Tomas Rosicky helped
Borussia Dortmund to advance past Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk. Also Lazio
Rome (with Karel Poborsky) and Liverpool FC (Patrik Berger, Vladimir
Smicer) advanced from the qualification round.
Czech Soccer Players Beat Korea 5-0 in Friendly
The Drnovice stadium saw Miroslav Baranek's hat trick and an easy
Czech win over the Korean Republic August 15. Pavel Nedved and Vratislav
Lokvenc added the other goals. The game was preparation for the upcoming
qualification clashes against Iceland and Malta.
The team played with a patchwork lineup. Some injured players
missed the game, as did Tomas Repka, who was not freed up by his Italian
team Fiorentina. Repka was not thus included in the squad for the next
two qualification matches. Nedved opened the scoring with Tomas
Rosicky's and Jan Koller's cooperation, the other goals were scored in
the last 30 minutes. Miroslav Baranek, who replaced Rosicky and played
for the Czech team for the first time in 16 months, scored from the
penalty box line, Lokvenc then scored after Nedved's corner. Baranek
then added two goals in the last two minutes, the second one from
a penalty kick after a foul on national-team novice Ludek Straceny.
"I had never scored three goals in such a short period - and I had
never imagined I would do it in the national team," said Baranek.
Czech Republic - Korean Republic 5-0 (half-time 1-0). Goals: 66th,
86th and 90th (penalty) Baranek, 30th Nedved, 74th Lokvenc.
Zizkov and Bohemians Lead Soccer League
Two less-famous Prague teams, Viktoria Zizkov and Bohemians Praha,
lead the soccer league standings after four rounds. Bohemians moved into
the lead after the third round, beating Olomouc 2-0. In that round,
Vaclav Kolousek shocked his former teammates on Sparta Praha by scoring
two goals for Slovan Liberec and giving the Czech champions a loss on
their own field. Zizkov beat Bohemians in the fourth round and joined it
in first place with nine points and the same goals difference. Opava
remains the only club without a point, while Teplice, with one point,
has yet to score.
Results of the 3rd round: Sparta Praha - Liberec 1-2, Slavia Praha
- Hradec Kralove 4-0, Bohemians Praha - Olomouc 2-0, Brno - Zizkov 1-3,
Ostrava - Jablonec 3-0, Teplice - Drnovice 0-2, Blsany - Opava 4-2,
Stare Mesto - Pribram 2-0.
Results of the 4th round: Slavia Praha - Ostrava 3-2, Viktoria
Zizkov - Bohemians Praha 2-0, Pribram - Blsany 3-1, Jablonec - Teplice
0-0, Hradec Kralove - Liberec 2-0, Olomouc - Stare Mesto 1-0, Drnovice
- Brno 1-0, Opava - Sparta Praha 1-2.
Standings: 1. Zizkov and Bohemians Praha 9 points, 3. Ostrava 9,
4. Slavia Praha 9, 5. Liberec 9, 6. Jablonec 7, 7. Stare Mesto 7, 8.
Sparta Praha 6, 9. Drnovice 6, 10. Blsany 6, 11. Olomouc 5, 12. Brno 4,
13. Pribram 3, 14. Hradec Kralove 3, 15. Teplice 1, 16. Opava 0.
Shot-Putter Menc Banned for Life
Czech shot-putter Miroslav Menc was banned for life by the Czech
Track and Field Union for a second positive doping test. Menc, who won
the bronze medal at last year's indoor European championships, tested
positive for norandrosterone during a random test in April. Menc, 30,
had served a two-year ban for doping in 1998. He is the first Czech
track and field athlete to be banned for life for drug use.
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Soccer player Milan Baros was transferred from Banik Ostrava to
Liverpool FC for 10 million DM. His arrival in Liverpool, where he will
join Czechs Patrik Berger and Vladimir Smicer, is delayed until he is
granted a work permit.
* Vsetin forward Jiri Dopita (already traded to the NHL's
Philadelphia Flyers) won the Golden Stick as the top Czech hockey player
of last season. He defeated Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh Penguins by
29 points, Robert Reichel finished third. Since 1994, when the poll was
opened to NHL players, only Jagr (four times) and Dominik Hasek (twice)
had won the trophy.
* Martin Krnavek won his third career World Cup race in the olympic
triathlon in Tiszaujvaros, Hungary. Lenka Radova's fourth place was the
best Czech female finish in history.
* The Czech softball team won its third European championship in
a row, beating the Netherlands 3-1 in the final in Antwerp.
WEATHER
After the high winds and storms at the beginning of the month, a
heat wave arrived in the Czech Republic around August 15 with
temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit. Last
weekend storms and rain cooled temperatures somewhat, but daytime
temperatures are still more than 25 degrees Celsius/77 degrees
Fahrenheit, even when skies are cloudy.
This edition of Carolina was written by Mirek Langer (Sport), Andrea
Slovakova (Slovakia) and Milan Smid and translated by Langer, Smid, Adam
Fendrych and Michael Bluhm.
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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