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 36A, Saturday, July 18, 1992. (Addendum to Carolina issue 36) CSFR without the president "Dear members of parliament, this is to announce to you, that on July 20, 1992 at 6pm, I resign to the office of the president of CSFR". This letter was sent to the Federal Parliament by the president of CSFR Vaclav Havel. The letter was delivered yesterday, July 17, at 1 pm. The full text of speech , given in the TV, in which Havel explains the reasons that led him to this decision, is given below: Dear fellow citizens, today at noon the chancellor Karel Schwarzenberk delivered to the federal parliament my letter, in which I announce my resignation to the office of the president of Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, on July 20 at 6 pm. I made this decision after a thorough consideration and realizing that I can no longer fulfill the obligations implied by the pledge to Czech and Slovak Federative Republic and its constitution in a way that would be in harmony with my character, convictions and conscience. Trying to fulfill this pledge under any circumstances, I could even become an obstacle to far-reaching changes in our state setup, that have started after the recent parliamentary elections, and to the striving for emancipation of the Slovak republic, which is politically expressed by the declaration of sovereignityaccepted by the Slovak national parliament today. In addition, the recent presidential elections have shown, that I have lost the confidence of large part of Slovakia's political representatives. I do not see this loss as an expression of dislike me as a person, but as an expression of disagreement with the values I stand for. I cannot imagine myself to be productive in my office under these circumstances and during this complicated era that awaits us. I cannot bear responsibility for the developments I can no longer influence. Nor do I want to be a barrier to historical developments, nor a mere timeserving bureaucrat, who will wait a few weeks until he definitely leaves his office and who will be all this time just passively watching what is going on and formally fulfil his formal duties. I always wanted and I want in the future to create something positive in favor of my fellow citizens. The office of federal president does not provide a basis for a creative and constructive work anymore. Majority of my colleagues in the office of the president,led by the chancellor have resigned together with me. I did everything that was necessary, so that the office of the president may operate after my resignation, including services to the prime minister of federal government who will, according to the constitution, take over most of the presidential duties. Since December 29, 1989, when I was elected to the presidential office for the first time, I have tried to do my best so that all Czechoslovak citizens can live in freedom and dignity, caring about integrity and safety of our country, trying to maintain its independence and just internal structure and contibuting to the world peace. I will definitely continue in my work in favor of democracy, respect for human rights and friendly coexistence of all peoples and nations. I will continue doing this wherever I think it will be meaningful and where I will be given the opportunity. I will not candidate anymore to the office of the president of Czech and Slovak Federative republic. I want to thank to all Slovaks and Czechs, who have trusted me and who supported me and who understood the meaning of my efforts. I thank to all who assisted me or cooperated with me. I thank to my wife, who accepted all the duties resulting from her status and fulfilled them with responsibility. She will also continue in her work in favor of our neighbors. I wish you good luck, good health and strong faith in future. Good bye! * * * * * Translated by: Peter Rajcani Franya Franek ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.