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 35, Friday, July 10, 1992. THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK ( from July 6 to 10 1992) The New Federal Government As promised in our last issue, here is the complete makeup of the newly-installed government. Dr. Jan Strasky , former vice-chairman of the Czech government, became the federal premier. He characterized guarding the federal character of the common state as the fundamental goal of the federal government, along with the preparation of conditions for the constitutional system which the citizens will decide. The first vice-chairman of the government, charged with overseeing the Ministry of Control, is Prof. Ing. Rudolf Filkus, an economist who was from June, 1990 until May, 1991 Minister of Economic Strategy for the Slovak government. Prof. Filkus's ideas about economic reform are not quite identical with those of HZDS, for whom he was a candidate. He is rather more liberal. It is said that he was sent into the federal government to keep him from obstructing the revisions of the reforms desired by the members of the current Slovak government, whose attitudes were shaped by the political economy of socialism. Prof. Filkus is a friend of Alexander Dubcek. The second vice-chairman of the government, entrusted with the direction of the Ministry of Work and Social Affairs and the Federal Committee for the Environment, is M.D. Miroslav Macek. Originally, he was a dentist, but after November, 1989, he worked as a member of parliament, he is one of the vice-chairmen of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and participated with V. Klaus in all the coalition talks. A further government vice-chairman is JDr. Milan Cic. He was given the Ministry of Economic Competition. He was Minister of Justice of the Slovak Republic before November, 1989, and was a member of the Communist Party. Today he represents HZDS. The fourth vice-chairman, given the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is a member of the People's Party, Doc. Ing. Antonin Baudys, for the last two years a vice-chairman of the Czech government. Doc. JDr. Josef Moravcik was nambed Minister of Foreign Affairs. In an interview for Lidove Noviny on June 8 he said that he does not intend to alter in any pronounced way the activities of the ministry, directed up to now by Jiri Dienstbier, but that he would place the emphasis on professionalism. He also plans to increase the proportions of Czech and Slovak diplomats abroad. If Czechoslovakia is to be divided, it is, according to him, necessary to take account of that already today in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and prepare positive conditions for a common foreign policy of both states. M.D. Peter Cermak, another leading personality in the ODS, became federal Minister of the Interior. He, too, was a member of parliament. Ing. Jan Klak was named Minister of Finance; from October, 1991, he was the deputy of federal Minister of Finance Vaclav Klaus. Ing. Jaroslav Kubecka became Minister of Economy and Strategic Planning. He, too, was in the Slovak government as deputy minister of the economy before his nomination. Lieutenant-General Ing. Imrich Andrejcak replaced the civilian, Dobrovsky, in the position of Minister of Defence. In his first speech he discussed the necessity of continuing in the traditions of minster Dobrovsky. President Havel stated that he would have preferred a civilian minister, but that he had confidence in the newly-nominated candidate. Immediately upon his appointment, General Andrejcak requested his transfer to the reserves. He took the oath of office in mufti. The Czech Government The Czech premier, as expected, will be Doc. Ing. Vaclav Klaus. The important post of Minister of Finance was filled by Ing. Ivan Kocarnik, founder of the ODS and previous deputy of the Minster of Finance. J.Dr. Jan Kalvoda (ODA), formerly vice-chairman of the Czech National Council, was named vice-premier of the Czech government. He is a lawyer, who already warned against the threatening breakup of the state last Spring, since the expectations of the Czech and Slovak representatives differed and fruitless negotiations in the national councils would lead nowhere. The second vice-premier and Minister of Agriculture will be Ing. Josef Lux, representing the Christian Democrats. For quite some time he has been active in agriculture, and most recently he was a deputy. The Minister of Economic Competition will be another Christian Democrat, Ing. Stanislav Belehradek, formerly chairman of the office of the same name. Ing. Frantisek Benda is Minister of the Environment, Minister of Health is the previous chairman of the Committee for Social Policies and Health of the Czech National Council, M.D. Petr Lom. The important Ministry for Privatization was occupied by Ing. Jiri Jindrich Vodicka. The former Minister of Culture, the writer Milan Uhde, who was elected chairman of the Czech National Council in the second round, was replaced by the psychologist Dr. Jinrich Kabat, who has already worked at the ministry for two years in various functions. Education was given to Prof. Dr. Petr Pit'ha, who has studied at several foreign universities and was also ordained a priest. His nomination has stimulated some discussion among the members of the public, since some liberals fear that the new minister will be too conservative, especially in introducing private and alternative schooling. Three ministers remain from the previous government: J.Dr. Jiri Novak - Minister of Justice; the youngest (born 1959) - Minister of State Control, RNDr. Igor Nemec, and Ing. Karel Dyba, Minister of the Economy. The very important Ministry of the Interior will be directed by Jan Ruml, formerly director of the Federal Police Force. Jan Ruml is the only dissident and signatory of Charta 77 in this government, he is a member of ODS. To questions from the press on whether there would be basic changes in the police force, he replied that policemen who carry out their duties well, have nothing to be worried about. Ing. Vladimir Dlouhy, previous federal Minister of the economy, became Minister of Industry and Trade, while the newly-created Ministry of Foreign Relations was entrusted by Vaclav Klaus to another economist and founder of ODS, Doc. Ing. Josef Zieleniec. Just for interest's sake, three of these ministers were habilitated as docents right here at our faculty (V. Klaus, V. Dyba, and J. Zieleniec). The President receives the Government President Vaclav Havel received the new Czech government at the Prague castle on July 7. He called it a young, strong goverment, and the premier, V. Klaus, introduced it as a coalition government of four parties, which would complete the economic and social changes. The shaping of a constitution for the Czech Republic and the new function of a Czech head of state were also discussed. The program declaration was adopted by the new government at its session on July 8. On July 7 the President also met with the outgoing Czech government, which he thanked for its work, and he visited the newly-elected parliament, where he praised the calm, rational, and cooperative tone towards the Slovaks. Even an understanding of the road the Slovak side has decided to take was not lacking. At the end of next week, on Friday, July 17, the first meeting of the chairmen of both National Councils, J.Dr. Ivan Gasparovic and Milan Uhde, should take place. New Presidential Elections The new presidential elections should take place on July 16. Up to now, no candidate has been put forward. The chairman of the Slovak Democratic Party, Jan Holcik, expressed the opinion that an appropriate candidate would be Jiri Dienstbier. This party, however, is not represented in parliament, and would thus have to gain the support of deputies from other parties, who would nominate this candidate. Indications are that Jiri Dienstbier would not meet with opposition from the leftist parties. It has not been possible to ask the former minster of foreign affairs what he thinks, since he is currently in Spain. According to the secretary of the Civic Movement, the suggestion is an expression of respect for the former minster, and at the same time a suprising suggestion. After his return, Jiri Dienstbier will surely make a decision like an experienced politician, said the secretary of the OH. Cultural Service ODEON has just published a book by Pavel Eisner, Rady Cechum, jak se hrave priuciti cestine, or, Painless Czech for Czech-Speakers (admittedly a rough translation of the title). Pavel Eisner (1889-1958) was a native of Prague, from a German Jewish family, a translator, essayist, critic, journalist, but mainly a person who loved and knew and observed the Czech language down to the finest details. For the last forty years he has been thoroughly concealed from Czech readers. He belongs among the representative of a genuine European outlook, but is also essentially Czech. Among his most noteworthy works is a linguistic study of several hundred pages, Chram i tvrz (Temple and Fortress). The collection mentioned above is taken from this book and other articles, and edited by a further, contemporary expert on the language, Alexander Stich. News from our Faculty's posters A meeting of all strawberry or currant-pickers, or even mere tourists, of everyone who is going on holidays to Great Britain, will be held on the first Sunday in August (August 2) from 2 to 3 p.m. in London on Trafalgar Square at the foot of Nelson's column. It's pleasant to get together abroad, find work, take pictures, have a drink . . . The Weather The week began with showers, thundershowers, and even in places with real downpours, and a noticeable cooling trend. Towards the end of the week real holiday weather is again returning. It should be clear to partly cloudy, daily highs from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius (beer continues to be either 12 or 10 degrees, in places even 11 or 8). Mushroom pickers began their holidays half-way through the week. = * = * = * = * = As you all surely know, the university vacation has begun. Today's issue number 35 will be the last one on a regular, weekly basis. Carolina will continue to appear irregularly up to the end of the holidays. We will continue to appear as far as it is within our powers. For you, our subscribers, we wish a pleasant vacation. We will be appearing regularly again from the end of August. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.