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 STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC School of Social Sciences of Charles University Smetanovo nabr. 6 110 01 Prague 1 Czech Republic E-mail address: carolina@n.fsv.cuni.cs Fax: (+422) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 95, Friday, November 19, 1993. EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (NOVEMBER 11-18) Slovak President Kovac Visits Czech Republic On the day that saw the start of the democratic revolution four years ago, November 17, Slovak President Michel Kovac visited Prague, and visited Czech President Vaclav Havel at the presidential retreat in Lany. Both presidents said they rejected demands for restitution emerging from events earlier than 1948. Kovac also said the Slovak Republic understants Czech opposition to the question of dual citizenship. He also said that citizens moving from one republic to another would be helped by elimination of charges to gain citizenship. Kovac fears diminishing cultural and spiritual ties between the two republics, he said. The next meeting between the republics will be devoted to this problem. Delay of the Second Wave of the Privatization Nearly 2.5 million Czechs, an average of 150,000 per day, have registered in the second wave of coupon privatization. If the trend continues, more than 4 million will take part in the program. The second wave of registering privatization funds also ended, with 345 eligible to pool investors' coupons. Unlike the succesful first wave, which proceeded on schedule and in which stocks of all major companies were sold, the first round of the second wave will probably be postponed for a month. This comes at the request of Tomas Jezek, chairman of the National Property Fund. He made the request at Tuesday's conference of the economy ministers. Due to the delay, registration of coupon books will be extended until December 8. The first shares are thus expected to be allocated in March rather than in February, as originally planned. The Czech goverment decided to postpone the program after strong protests from some of the companies set to be privatized. Those companies object to recording two statements of accounts--one due November 30 for the privatization process, and one due December 31 under normally required accounting procedures. According to Jezek, the statements of accounts for privatization should be made by February 10. Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus said the goverment doesn't think that postponing the statements for a month will cause the companies any problems. "This question of time, this is not a fundemental dispute. It's not about if the privatization succeeds or not. It's all just a matter of organization now", Klaus Cesky denik November 18. Parliament Passes Crime Bill The Czech Parliament amended the criminal law November 10 in an attempt to deal with rising levels of crime and new forms of crime that have emerged along with increased business activity in the Czech Republic. The amendments also contain significant changes in the concept of justified self-defence. In relation to the old law this new one doesn't limited ot he level of threat. previous one this novel is extened so that there wouldn't be need for strickly adequate dangers of charges. The amendments largely attempt to deal with new sorts of business crimes, for example, by defining such offenses as unauthorized use of credit cards, forgery and unauthorized use of personal data. The law also prohibits unauthorized production and sale of radioactive material. Another significant change is the development of a witness protection program. In case a witness's life is in danger, personal data in legal proceedings will be masked. There was a dispute over a section that will allow punishment for Czechs attacking Parliament, the government or the Constitutional Court. According to some coalition representatives, a democratic country doesn't need such measures. President Vaclav Havel has said he may not sign the law because of that paragraph. Parliament rejected a proposal to re-establish the death penalty. Fifteen representatives voted in favor of it. Klaus Misses Regional Reform Deadlines The question of the future structure of regional goverment has been left hanging since the old structure was abolished in January. On July 7, the goverment launched a proposal for regional regional reform calling for completion of certain tasks by September and October. However, according to Mlada Fronta Dnes, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and his Civic Democratic Party (ODS) now doubt the need for speedy reform. But representatives Jaroslav Ortman of the Left Bloc, and Josef Kubis of the Christian and Democratic Union-Czech Civic Party proposed November 11 that the government be obliged to proceed without delay on regional reform, and that Parliament pass the reform by the end of the year. The proposal received widespread support in parliament. The only opposition came from 18 members of ODS. Mlada Fronta Dnes also reported that a reform package has been produced by the Institute for Legislation and Internal Affairs. Fourth Anniversary of Velvet Revolution observed Czech citizens marked the fourth anniversary of the November 17 events, which led to the Velvet Revolution, with flowers and candles last Wednesday. November 17 is recognized as a milestone in the Czech history because it launched the events that caused the downfall of the Communist goverment and the start of democratic rule. However, the Czech president who came to power at the end of the Velvet Revolution didn't take part in any observances. "Times have changed and democratically-elected authorities already exist nowadays, and problems can't be solved on the street," President Vaclav Havel said. Coalition party Civic Democratic Alliance spokesmen said the process of transformation begun November 17 has been very successful and will continue under the current goverment. Josef Hlavka Endowment Rewards Top University Students The Josef Hlavka award and grant, worth 14,000 crowns, was presented November 17 to 39 students and recent graduates of Charles University, other Prague universities, Brno's School of Higher Technical Learning, and young workers at the Czech Academy of Sciences. Ceremonies were conducted at Luzany Castle, in Prestice. Candidates for the award were chosen from each faculty by their professors and deans. Guidelines called for students with excellent marks throughout their courses of study, and an ability to contribute to future advancement in various fields of Czech science and culture. Only Charles University's Faculty of Social Sciences and Pharmaceutical Faculty didn't nominate students. The Josef, Marie, and Zdenka Hlavka Endowment has been financially aiding budding Czech talents and experts since it's founding in 1882. Czech-Austrian Josef Hlavka supported, above all, university students with excellent grades. Endowment President Jaroslav Nedved's address was followed by a Tachov quartet concert in the castle chapel. Although students may use the award money as they like, most of them said they will use the money towards books and study materials, which are increasingly expensive. Breakdown at Prague Phone Central Cuts Czech Republic Off From International Phone Network The most widespread failure ever to affect Czech telecommunications hit Prague's international and intercity phone central last week. The cause of the November 12 occurence is still unknown. International phone contact in the Czech Republic was completely cut, and residents of the greater Prague area were unable to place intercity calls. Despite intensive weekend repair work, the 13-year-old central exchange resumed normal opperation on November 16. Price of Heating Likely to Rise in January - Coal and Gas Without Change The Czech Government has recommended a 16-percent increase in the price of centrally-supplied heating. The increase is to take effect January 1. According to Finance Minister Ivan Kocarnik, this will mean a monthly increase of 19 crowns for employed people and 27 crowns for retirees. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was assigned to propose an adjusted pay scale for the needy. The government is not considering establishing direct supplements for heating. However, in the case of social need, it will be possible to request a one-time grant of 10,000 crowns annually. The increased charges apply only to those who received their heating from large, off-site heating plants. The government didn't approve increasing the cost of gas, coal, and electrical energy. These changes will come later, Kocarnik said, and will be subject to regulation. CSA hits financial turbulence Czechoslovak Airlines needs a loan of 27 million dollars to get through the current financial crisis, according to reports, following losses of more than 650 million crowns this year. Transportation Minister Jan Strasky met three major share holders of this air company November 15th, but the meeting yielded no conclusions save for a timetable for future meetings, Mlada Fronta Dnes reports. Privatization of CSA was completed in 1992 and a share company came into existence. CSA signed an agreement with Air France, which invested (together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) 60 million dollars. A modernization program replaced the fleet of mainly Soviet airplanes. CSA now uses Airbus 310-300, Boeing 737-500, ATR-72, Tupolev Tu-154M, Tu-134A and Iljusin IL-62 CSA was founded as the Czechoslovak national carrier 70 years ago and joined the IATA international carriers association in 1929. Environmentalists block traffic in Wenceslas Square Marking the International No-Car Day November 15, members of Czech environmental group Children of the Earth demonstrated their opposition to increasing traffic in the center of Prague by blocking access to Wenceslas Square for half an hour before being cleared by police. F. Maly, head of the "Prague--City for the People" campaign, said Children of the Earth are asking city authorities to support public transport because increased automobile traffic means rising pollution. Traffic in the city has increased 30 percent in the last year, Prague police report. The group also advocates establishing bike routes and finding other suggestions to deal with Prague's transportation woes. City authorities are trying to solve the problems by building roads and highways in the suburbs and by limiting free parking lots in the center, said Deputy Mayor Jan Holba. While the city lacks funds to properly address the transportation issue, it will try to support public transport, especially in the suburbs, Holba said. British Literary Science and the Charles University. During last years Prague with its legendary culture and interesting history attracted several world-known experts. Last week, professor Anthony Easthope, a famous british literary scientist and theorist was allured to a visit. During his stay he called by at the Philosophical Faculty of the Charles University where he gave lectures on Thursday and Friday and introduced his theorie, results, and efforts on the field of literary research. t was an interesting expirience for the involved audience to listen to his,to certain extend, revolutionary opinions which doubt the so called "great literature" and the existence of literature at all. t was also a stimulus to a discusion as the following inflammatory dispute between the English gentleman and the students as well as the teachers of the English Departement showed. Professor Easthope, however, took the criticism in a good way and invited his opponents to a caffee to keep on the discution after the lecture. During the following days professor visited the Universities in Olomouc and Brno too. FROM SLOVAKIA Meciar and Klaus to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize The board of trustees of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) have decided to nominate Vladimir Meciar and Vaclav Klaus for the Nobel Peace Prize because of their contributions to a peaceful division of the former Czechoslovakia. Meciar, who is Slovakia's prime minister as well as head of the HZDS, said he is honored by the board of trustees' move, although he does not believe he could win the prize. Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus declined to comment. Prominent politicians reacted strongly to the development. From the Czech Press Agency: "A theme more fitting to a satirist Miroslv Markovic," said Peter Weiss of the Democratic Left Wing. "I cannot imagine anything more insulting for the Nobel Prize," said Czech Social Democrat leader Milos Zeman. "It is sort of a comedy. Simply ridiculous," said Slovak Jan Carnogursky of the Movement of Christian Democrats. Exchange Rates of Czech National Bank (price rates valid from November18) buy sell Britain GBP 41,77 44,21 France FRF 5,00 5,05 Canada CAD 22,58 22,81 Austria ATS 2,46 2,48 Germany DEM 17,30 17,48 USA USD 29,65 29,94 SPORTS Czech-Slovak soccer players eliminated from 1994 World Cup The European soccer qualification for the World Championship in 1994 in the USA ended with 11 matches November 17, and with the end of hopes for the Czech and Slovak team to advance. The Czechs and Slovaks (RCS) needed a win over homefield Belgium, but were eliminated in a scoreless tie. Belgian King Albert II greeted the players of both teams, but that failed to inspire the Belgains, who gave a lackluster performance in the first half. Still, the stronger Czechs and Slovaks failed to get a shot on goal. The second half brought a more interesting show. In the fiftieth minute, a Belgian back fouled Czech Miroslav Kadlec in front of the penalty area. However, Peter Dubovsky failed to score on the penalty kick. The Belgian goalie thwarted Czech Jan Suchoparek, who had the best chance to score following overwhelming pressure on the Belgian goal. Toward the end of the match the Czechs and Slovaks replaced the rather ineffective forwards with the fresh Jaroslav Timko, but he, too, was unable to break the tie. After the game Czech and Slovak players could do no more than watch the endless celebrations of the Belgians. The elimation means the Czech and Slovak team, which will be split in future play, won't have a 500th match. After more than seventy years of common history, the record books stop at Match 499. THE WEATHER The temperature in the Czech Republic has dropped below freezing. In the mountains it was snowing by November 12, and Prague saw its first dusting two days later. The sun broke through November 18, and temperatures were between minus 7 and plus 7 degrees Celsius. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. Send them please to the address: carolina@n.fsv.cuni.cs To subscribe to CAROLINA you send an e-mail message to the address LISTSERV@CSEARN.BITNET. The text of the message is: SUBSCRIBE CAR-ENG First name Last name for the English version or SUBSCRIBE CAR-CS First name Last name for the Czech version. To delete your subscription from the list you send the following message to LISTSERV@CSEARN.BITNET: SIGNOFF CAR-ENG or SIGNOFF CAR-CS Please, don't send automatic replies to our list. You can temporalily stop receiving of Carolna by sending the command: SET CAR-ENG NOMAIL The command should be sent to the address LISTSERV@CSEARN.BITNET