CCCCC AA RRRRR OOOO LL II NN N AA CC AA A RR R OO O LL II NNN N AA A CC AA A RRRRR OO O LL II NN N N AA A CC AAAAAA RR R OO O LL II NN NN AAAAAA CCCCC AA A RR R OOOO LLLLLL II NN N AA A STUDENT'S E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA School of Social Science of Charles University Smetanovo nabr. 6 110 01 Prague 1 C.S.F.R. e-mail address: CAROLINA@CSEARN.BITNET *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 24, Friday, April 24, 1992. THE EVENTS OF THE LAST WEEK (from April 15 - 22) The new tax system still not perfect Many important laws concerning taxes were discussed at the last session of Parliament. Deputies agreed on these rules for value added tax: it will be 5% for goods of basic need (food, energy) and ecological projects. For other goods it will be 23%. This new tax will help Czechoslovakia approach the EEC. What was not accepted was the law of tax of gain. There is a quarrel whether to make it 45% or only 40%. A law for investment companies was not accepted. It would have taken an important part in the coupon privatization starting in May. Another important decision of Parliament was to shorten the election period to 4 years and to adjust the rules of Presidental elections. If the candidate for President does not gain a 3/5 majority of votes in both Houses, he will proceed to a second round of voting when just more then 1/2 will be enough. If he doesn't succeed in this round either, then new elections with new candidates will take place after 14 days. At the end of Wednesday_s meeting, the treaty between Czechoslovakia and Germany was ratified after nine hours of discussion. Agreement in autumn Vladimir Dlouhy, the minister of economy, talked to the ministers of foreign affairs of Hungary and Poland in Budapest. They signed a common declaration, according to which the new free-market zone of the three states could start to work in October 1992. Best in Europe The unemployment in the Czech republic is below 4% , which is the lowest in Europe, said the Czech minister of social affairs M. Horalek. REAL is a reality The activity of students during November 1989 is well know. But nowadays it seems as if young people are not very interested in political life. Is that really true? There are examples showing it is not. One of them is the Realistic Aliance - REAL. It came into being before 1989 as the Czechoslovak Democratic Youth and it was in opposition against the official Socialist Organization of Youth. The basic organization units of REAL are variously oriented clubs. REAL organizes language teaching camps, foreign studies, cultural and sport activities, and meetings with important personalities of political life. The organization builds contacts with similar ones abroad - young liberals in Germany, Democrats in Holland etc. REAL would like to have some of its members in Parliament by means of the Civic Movement (OH). Soccer Hooligans sent back to Germany On Wednesday, a football match was played between CSFR and Germany. Some German fans who arrived in Prague in the morning got drunk and provoked heavy fights with the police. 55 of them were arrested and about a half of them sent back to Germany. The news from regions Hradec Kralove: 21 political parties and movements gave their lists of candidates to a Regional Election Comittee. The most active political parties in Hradec Kralove are the Civic Movement and the Civic Democratic Party. CULTURAL SERVICE Oh, Juliet ! The Vinohrady theatre offers its new performance of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare_s most well-known tragedy. It is an especially good opportunity for the younger members of the ensemble. The performance is not too bad. The German Academy of language and literature... ...has its meeting in Prague. There is an exhibition of Czech literature in German translation on programme. There will also be a lecture by Prof. Eduard Goldstucker, "The German exile in Prague and Prague emigrants in Germany". WEATHER The weather during Easter was not very good. It was mostly cloudy with showers. However, the meteorologists say the real spring time weather is now here! Fine weather with temperatures of 14-17 degrees are expected. Heavy floods of tourists are also predicted in some areas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. To subscribe Carolina please send the e-mail message with subject "Carolina/Eng: Subscription" for the english version (and "Carolina/Cs: Subscription" for the czech version) on our e-mail address above. To drop sending you replace the word Subscription" by "Unsubscription". The subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated.