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 Faculty of Social Science of Charles University Smetanovo nabr. 6 110 01 Prague 1 Czech Republic e-mail: CAROLINA@cuni.cz tel: (+42 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+42 2) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 154, Friday, April 7, 1995. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (March 29. - April 5.) Vaclav Havel on Pacific Tour Last Sunday in Darwin, Australia Vaclav Havel began a two-week trip that will take him through Australia, New Zealand, the Phillipines, and Singapore. The goals of the trip are to enhance economic cooperation and to create political space for closer relations between these countries. The president is accompanied on his tour by business entrepreneurs, who want to make business contacts, and publicize the tourism industry in theCzech Republic. In Canbarra, Havel met with Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, who told him of his plan to change Australia into a republic by the year 2001, and expressed hopes that the Czech Republic will be soon accepted into the European Union. The Czech president also met with representatives of the thirty thousand member Czech community living in Australia, and with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who are on a world tour with the Rolling Stones. While visiting New Zealand, the directer of the Czech National Bank, Josef Tosovsky, also a member of the delegation, met with Roger Douglas, the brain behind economical reforms in New Zealand. Douglas is considering stopping employment taxes and discontinuing taxes taken from company and corporation profits. Tosovsky said that it is necessary to consider what sorts of advantages could be found in a radical tax decrease in the Czech Republic. He says that it is impossible to think of all of the results that this step could bring. In Auckland, the capital city, Vaclav Havel met with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, James Bogler, and the two thousand member Czech community. Foreign Minister, Alexandr Vondra, flew from New Zealand to develop diplmatic relations with the Sultan of Brunai. Jindrich Jirasek/Andrea Snyder Are Social Reforms in Danger? The coalition four - the Civil Democratic Party (ODS), the Christian Democratic Party, the Christian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party, and the Civil Democratic Alliance (ODA) - were unable to come to an agreement about the law on state social support, which had been proposed by the Czech governement. According to ODS deputy club chairman, Jiri Honajzer, this could endanger April negotiations in parliament. At the same time, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Jindrich Vodicka, considers April to be the last possible time to discuss these laws. He says that it would not be possible to begin social reforms until January, 1996. Some politicians believe that the reforms will be delayed by at least a year - in 1996, the Czech Republic will have parliamentary elections. The most contrversial topic among the coalitions is the proposal for supplementary payment of children's necessities. The ministers are unable to come to an agreement on whether or not the supplements should be payed under the auspices of the tax or the social system. Martina Krizkova/Andrea Snyder Most Czech Citizens Not Satisfied With Political Situation The institute of Public Opinion polled 900 Czech citizens over the age of 15 in March. 55 percent of Czechs polled are not satisfied with the current political situation. 39 percent are. Only six out of a hundred don't know. Satisfied Czechs are generally politically affiliated with coalition parties. Standard of living play a marked role in the opinions of the questioned. 55 percent of those with a high standard of living responded positively, where as only 19 percent of those with a low standard of living responded positively. From "Rude Pravo" by Muhammed Shah/Andrea Snyder Intellectuals Calling For A Dialogue With Sudet Germans Reconciliation 95 is a document which could lead toward the beginning of talks between Sudet Germans and the Czech government, which was initiated by a group of 105 intellectuals on March 28. The document was signed by politicians, journalists, historians, college teachers and students including the former Czech Prime Minister, Petr Pithart, archabbot of the Brevnov's monastery in Prague, Anastaz Opasek, and former post-November federal MP's, Dana Nemcova, Emanuel Mandler and Jan Sokol. According to the signatories of Reconciliation 95, questions should be discussed, and a certain plan of mutual cooperation between Czechs and Sudet Germans should be set up. One of the text's authors, a politologist and a former adviser of the Prime Minister Klaus, Bohumil Dolezal, claims that this message was aimed at breaking the impression that the Czech nation would be monolithically viewing Sudet Germans. The document recalls the historical milestones which had essentially formed relations between the two nations (such as the resistance of the Sudet Germans by the birth of Czechoslovakia as an independent country in 1918, the secession of the Sudetland according to the Munich Treaty of 1938 and the post- war transfer of more than 3 million Germans from Czechoslovakia to Germany with an approval of many Czechs). Responding to this challenge, the Czech Ministery of Foreign Affairs claims that in terms of the Czech and Sudetoland German relations, the only partner for negotiations with the Czech government is its German counterpart. President Vaclav Havel is in favor of Reconciliation 95, yet he doesn't think that only the Czech goverment should be entitled to talk with only the Sudet Germans. The president of Charles University, Karel Maly, and the chairman of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Rudolf Zahradnik, emphasized that they didn't have anything in common with the document. Vera Vitkova Civic Democratic Alliance Doesn't Want To Leave Coalition During central assembly of Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), which took place on April 1st and 2nd in Vimperk, speculations about the possible resignation of a party member from government coalition were strongly dismissed. This statement refers to a recent accusation that ODA Secretariat Diredctor, Josef Reichman, erased a 52-million party debt at the Credit and Industrial Bank (KPB). According to the chairman of alliance, Jan Kalvoda, the assembly didn't discuss the possibility of relieving Josef Reichman of his position in office. However, it expressed reservations with the process of investigation at KPB, and they believe the Central control and Auditing Commission should be investigated. The Alliance also believes that ODA vice-chairman and Industry Minister, Vladimir Dlouhy, should take responsiblility for economic problems (in more detail see CAR 152, 148). Martina Vojtechovska ODS Wants To Join KDS, Pilip Would Prefer Electoral Bloc On Friday the executive council of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) expressed its desire for a possible merge with the Christian and Democratic Party (KDS) before parliamentary elections in 1996. For the time, KDS is a member of government coalition, but its election preferences don't allow parliamentary elections. If KDS is allowed to have its initials after the merge, ODS chairman, Vaclav Klaus said, then his party will not want any semi-deatached houses. A technical merge will be negotiated. According to ODS press agent, Jana Petrova, the executive council expressed that they were in favor of gradual integration into the right wing. She refused to give further details on the merge. She announced that the executive council came to a decision after Vaclav Klaus had informed them about his interview with KDS chairman, Ivan Pilip. KDS also a serious offer for possible integration with Christian and People's Party (KDU-CSL). Pilip's party wants to complete a merge with the Club Of Commited Non-party Men before elections as well. "A more clearly organized political scene would be good if out-of-parliamentary and clearly defined, KAN, and systematically strong small parliament, KDS, formed together with a larger right wing party electoral bloc", said KDS chairman after Saturday's regional KDS conference. According to him, KDS doesn't share the same opinion as ODS to merge with parliamentary elections. The possibility of merging with ODS or KDU-CSL will be decided in an assembly in June, depending on program similarity and location. Stepanka Kucerova/Martina Vojtechovska Government Proposal to Make the Stb Files Public If a law to open the files of the former State Security (Stb) is passed in Parliament, Citizens will be able to learn the identity of the agent who observed them. This proposal was passed by the government on Wednesday, March 29. Names of the so-called third persons (persons who did not work for Stb but whose names appear in the files) will be erased from the text. Premier Klaus stated that it was necessary to distinguish real State Security agents from "gossipy neighbours". On the basis of the Legislative Council's recommendation, the Government has increased the number of people who could ask for admission to look in the files. It would include persons who are no longer citizens of the Czech Republic, but have been in the past. However, the proposal will not includedescendants was rejected. Not all Stb files will be declassified. A large number a of files were destroyed by Stb members shortly after the November 89 revolution. Some will not be declassified because of a possible threat to state security. Michal Vynohradnyk/Jirka Schneider Ex-premier Strougal feels responsible for internment lists After giving two hours of testimony before the Parliamentary Investigative Authority, the former Czechoslovak Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Lubomir Strougal, told journalists that he recognized political responsibility only for the existence of internment lists which were written during the former regime. These lists were directed against those who disgreed with totalitarian practices. The roots of the nationwide action code called, Norbert, goes back to the time when Strougal held the office of Interior Minister (1961-65). The action was oriented toward certain citizens in 1970, and was gradually ammended by Interior Minister, Jaromir Obzina. It was meant to dispose of scheduled persons in case of extraordinary events or a declaration of military preparedness. Launching of the action loomed in November 1989. Strougal, who says that he does not know action Norbert under this name, said he did not compile lists and had never seen them. He said he had pushed for reduced lists compiled only according to criminal criteria. They had not been ready before April 1965 when he was the Interior Minister. Tereza Hadravova/Jirka Schneider Opocensky's Conviction with Negative Reactions The guilty verdict in the case of sculptor, Pavel Opocensky, reported in Carolina No.153, appealed public outcry. The court found Opocensky stabbed seventeen-year-old skinhead, Ales Martinu, who later died of injuries caused by the attack. Sculptor says he acted in self-defence. His conviction started discussions again about the present legal term of defence by an attack and its sufficiency in legal decisions. The Czech government discussed the sentence on March 30. Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus said "it is necessary for the Ministry of Justice to understand the legal term "adequate defence", which is included in the Czech Legal Code. However, vice premier, Jan Kalvoda, and the Minister of Justice, Jiri Novak, consider the law sufficient. The chairman of the Czech Party Social Democratic (CPSD) Parliamental club, Stanislav Gross, believes it must be changed. The Club of Committed non-party members (KAN) is disgusted by the trial decision. KAN does not agree with giving a presidential pardon to Opocensky (the proposal to the president for Opocensky's release was given by CPSD chairman, Milos Zeman). During conviction, there was a petition initiated for the defence of sculptor, Opocensky. The Minister of Justice Press Office Director, Vladimir Voracek, stated that the petition is in disagreement with the List of Human Rights and Freedoms. It guarantees that the petition can be used in public disputes, but it also states that the petition must not touch judicial independence. The defence of sculptor has not been hidden, and the petiton will be given to the Supreme court in Prague. Both Opocensky and state attorney have appealed the court's decision. Jana Maruskova/Jiri Chvojka Tomas Jezek Admitted for Civic Democratic Party member Member of Parliament Tomas Jezek obtained a Civic Democratic Party Membership on Tuesday in Varnsdorf. His previous political activities were as a communist party member in the 60's, and after November 1989 he helped to set up the Civic Democratic Alliance, which he left in the end of January 1995(see Carolina 146). By Svobodne slovo Eftychia Damianidou/Jiri Chvojka Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV UK) is to Accept a Tenth of Applicants The greatest number of people interested in studying at University want to study at The Journalism section of the Faculty of Social Sciences ; it has counted 1067 applications. The number of other applicants were: 805 economy, sociology 305, politology 310, and 70 people wanted to enter the international studies section. There are two ways for foreign students to apply to study at FSV UK. Students can receive a government grant, or he can pay for his studies on his own. One semester costs about 1800 USD. The lessons in FSV are held in Czech only. Foreigners can complete a one- year intensive Czech Language course of at the Professional Skills Institute in Podebrady. Foreign students must successfully pass a language test and an interview to enter FSV. Jana Maruskova/Jiri Chvojka ECONOMICS Post Office and Telecommunications Once Again Raise Prices From April 1, local phone calls and in-country postage will be more expensive. The price of a local phone impulse will increase from 1.6 Kc. to 1.9 Kc. Because of this, people connected to a digital phone central are at a disadvantage - digital centrals are capable of recording impulses, while the older analogical centrals are not. So, customers hooked up to analogical centrals will be able to talk on the phone for the price of 1.9 Kc for as long as they like. The length of the impulse for a digital central is divided into two time periods: from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (the times when phones are most frequented) an impusle will be four minutes long. The rest of the day, an impulse will increase to eight minutes. The one-time fee for having a phone will be raised from 52.50 KC to an even 70. The Czech post office will increase the prices of their services by 20 percent. A letter weighing up to 20 grams will cost 3.6 Kc to mail. Because of this, 3.60 Kc, 40 and 60 heller stamps will be sold. Karolina Polakova/Andrea Snyder Felicia to be Three Percent More Expensive The least expensive Skoda Felicia will cost 215,990 Kc, which is 6290 Kc more than now. The more luxurios version, the GLX, will cost 231,650 Kc. The prices of special additions, spare parts, and supplements will remain the same. A top model will sell for 294,250 Kc, and the most expensive Felicia with safety features, such as an ABS brake system, which blocks tires, will cost 329,250 Kc. From Mlada Fronta Dnes by Karolina Polakova/Andrea Snyder Exchange Rates of the Czech National bank (valid from Mar 29) Checks Cash country buy sell middle buy sell Great Britain 1 GPB 41,193 41,607 41,400 39,98 42,82 France 1 FRF 5,355 5,409 5,382 5,18 5,58 Japan 100 JPY 30,006 30,308 30,157 28,86 31,46 Canada 1 CAD 18,417 18,603 18,510 17,62 19,40 Austria 1 ATS 2,653 2,679 2,666 2,61 2,73 Germany 1 DEM 18,679 18,867 18,773 18,31 19,23 Switzerland 1 CHF 22,788 23,018 22,903 22,40 23,40 USA 1 USD 25,625 25,883 25,754 25,05 26,45 Slovakia 1 XCU -- -- 34,356 -- -- CULTURE Touched- a Theriac of 13 Scenes The Prague theater, Na Zabradli, proud to be Theater of the Year '94, presented the play, "Jan Kraus Touched (Rather Impressed)" for the first time. I interviewed the director of the play before the play's first run . This play has a rather unusual title: "Touched (Rather Impressed)". Could you give us a hint about the play's plot? "It is a theriac of 13 scenes. The theriac, it's an anti-poison of the animal poisons, that's the definition. Yet, regarding the play, I cannot say anything else but that it is a contemporary play. I cannot say anything else. It is impossible to describe the plot in one sentence and tell the whole story; it would be a pity." What actors embody the leading and supporting characters? "There aren't any supporting roles. There are 6 leading characters Punch, and a kitchen cup-board. (These last two could be called supporting roles, but it is a marionette and a piece of furniture.) I didn't match anyone to a role." "Honza Kraus, whom I've had previous experience with before, wrote "Touched..." for particular actors, so he knew who would have the roles. We agreed on the appropriate actors many years ago. The actors starring at his play are Renata Becerrova, Eva Holubova, Ivana Chylkova, Josef Zlutak Hruby, Bohumil Klepal and the author himself." Andrea Rihova/Vera Vitkova Eighth Year Of Film Festival Final 1995 Opened On Monday, the Czech film festival, Final 1995, was opened by renewal premiere work, Erotikon, in Pilsen. Seventeen full-length films applied for competition. The jury chaired by actress, Jirina Bohdalova will decide who will win the Golden Kingfisher Award. The program will include films starring actors from Pilsen. Not only is this the 100th anniversary of Czech cinematography, but also the 700th anniversary foundation of the town Pilsen. Tomas Kopecny/Martina Vojtechovska Director Frantisek Vlacil By Genus Eye The Febio company, who produced a Czech series of documentaries called Genus, introduced Czech film director legend, Frantisek Vlacil, (1924), whose film adaptation of literary work, Marketa Lazarova, by Vladislav Vancura changed native cinematography. The prestigous award for lifelong contribution, the Czech Lion, was given to director and scriptwriter, Karel Smyzcek. Tomas Kopecny/Martina Vojtechovska SPORTS Novice Vsetin Became Ice Hockey Extra League Winner For the first time in the whole league's 50 year history, Vsetin defeated its opponent from Zlin in four matches 3:1. The final results were 3:6, 2:1, 4:2 and 2:1. The matches were distinguished not only for excellent playing and full stadiums with fantastic atmospheres, but also for a strange rivality between both teams. These Moravian cities are about 30 kilometers from each other. 11 Vsetin players have worn Zlin sports dress before. One of these players is the goalkeeper, Roman Cechmanek, which was discovered during this season. Vsetin coach, Horst Valasek was also a Zlin coach in the 80s. Horst Valasek said in a short, exclusive interview for Carolina: "Now, it is too early for me to understand what we managed. But it is fantastic!" While Vsetin players was celebrating and uncorking their champagne, Zlin plazers were only sadly watching. But the finals were a great success for them, too. "Now I am very sad, but we will return to Vsetin next year!" Pavel Janku, from Zlin, who scored the most goals in extraleague, said. The celebrations in Vsetin and in Zlin lasted until the early morning. From Zlin and Vsetin Petr Hosek/Mirek Langer P.S. The Ceske Budejovice bronze medal (Budejovice - Kladno 5:3, 4:5 and 4:3) is one of the southern Bohemian players' greatest successes. Tomas Kopecny reported about this years ice hockey extraleague with Mirek Langer and Petr Hosek's co-operation. All three are prepared to answer your incidental questions. Sparta Did Not Use Slavia Problems In the 20th round, which closed the second third of this football league's season, Slavia Prague, managed only to draw, 1:1, with Ceske Budejovice, which has not lost yet in the Spring. But nothing has changed with its five points distance at the top of the standings. Sparta Prague, already under Jozef Jarabinsky, let Cheb get its first Spring point. In spite of that, Cheb coach, Karel Prenosil, has returned as manager, where he began this season. Frantisek Plass has replaced him as coach. A change occurred in Viktoria Zizkov too. Jiri Kotrba did not agree with club management about a new contract, now in a month long notice term. They will talk about this contract. One point scored by Jablonec was the first spring profit for Viktoria. Viktoria played under Kotrba's assistant Frantisek Kopac. Petra Drnovice and Hradec Kralove are playing well and look like have recued their team membership for next year. On the contrary, Benesov and probably Bohemians Prague's fate seems to be clear. Results: Ceske Budejovice - Slavia Prague 1:1, FK Jablonec - Viktoria Zizkov 1:1, Sparta Prague - Union Cheb 1:1, Petra Drnovice - Sigma Olomouc 2:1, Hradec Kralove - Viktoria Plzen 2:0, Banik Ostrava - Svarc Benesov 7:2, Bohemians Prague - Slovan Liberec 3:4, Svit Zlin - Boby Brno 0:2. Rudolf Cernik/Mirek Langer Brabenec Broke One Czech Basketball Possibilities Boundary Kamil Brabenec scored his 11 000th point in the Czech basketball league. The player and coach of Usti nad Labem broke he record in the 16th minute of the northern Bohemian derby, with Decin. The match was abandoned and Brabenec received congratulations from Czech basketball personalities. The 44 year old, Brabenec, took part in the Olympics three times, he has got a silver medal from European championships and played 403 matches in representation. His record is unique in all of Europe and it is not even finished. Brabenec finished the match in great form and scored another eighteen points. Mirek Langer WEATHER Behind the monitor of the computer in which this week's Carolina is hatching, we look out the window and what we see? It is beautiful, really beautiful. Red rooftops are reflecting gold sunshine, the park is freshly green. Monday temperatures (20 degrees Celsius) were only three points under the record. Martina Krizkova/Mirek Langer SUPPLEMENT OUR VISITCARDS OR WHO IS WHO IN CAROLINA THIS YEAR (PART ONE) Personal Nametags of the Carolina Staff I come from Greece but I was born on 26. 11. 1973 in Czechoslovakia - in Northern Moravian Krnov. When I was six, we left for Greece and my parents live in Thessaloniki today. My younger sister Dora studies politics in Athens. I decided to study in Bohemia. After a year-long language course in Podebrady I successfully passed my entrance exams and study journalism presently. I am interested in foreign languages (English, French and Italian) and volleyball. I am fond of Greek music. Eftychia Damianidou I was born on a nice May morning under the sign of Gemini in the south of Bohemia where - in a little town of Trebon - I have spent all my rather usual life so far. Having finished the local grammar school, I successfully passed entrance examinations for FSV UK where I study journalism. At first, I wanted to take up sports journalism but due to the strong competition in the field I slowly re-orientated myself to study political news. I like intelligent boys, psychological novels, and mountains in all their aspects. Tereza Hadravova IwasbornasthesmallhairlessandshoutingchildintheSaggitarius.Fromnotthewho lehalfameterIreachedtoonehundredeightyonecentimetersandIalreadyhavesomeh air.Onlyshoutingisnottogetlostatall.Afterfinishingthesportschoolwithdire ctiontoathleticsandgymnasticsandcollegeIstudyFacultyofCivicsatthetime.Ab oveall,Ilovesnowskiandmanyotherthings.OnlytheCzechlanguagemakessomeprobl emssometimes.Ya,formoreIterriblymakeangrymyneighbouratthestudentcollege! Petr Hosek I am his neighbour, obviously. I am 18 and I come from Ceske Budejovice in South Bohemia. You might remember me from the sports section of Carolina, which I prepare for you with my colleagues. I am addicted to sports. I play football, volleyball, and a thousand other amateur disciplines. I prefer Budejovice's SK club (in football) and Motor ceske Budejovice (in ice-hockey). Otherwise, I love good food, drink, and rock music. I should not forget beautiful Czech girls. Ruda Cernik I am 19 years old, and I don't like weakness and insincerity. I admire original attempts, artistic modern waves, and music from a time before I was born. Since I was a child, I have liked acquiring and receiving information and stupidities (that's why I became the journalist). I love writing, and I want to become a writer of the brand new artistic wave or be from a group who is visibly different and makes different symbols. I got on my own feet and for the first time in my life, I feel my freedom and independence. I believe in life, in the optimistic meaning of the word, and Kant's higher moral principle, which drives us pragmatically. I do not want to make you angry, readers of Carolina. Jiri Chvojka "Hail To England" is the composition's title of my favorite group Manowar, but in another way I'm, of course, saying hello to ours readers in all other countries. I'm 19 years old. I studied at the Graphic Secondary School in Prague. After my final examination I wanted to study at the Faculty of Social Science, but the examination board had a different opinion. Afterward, I decided to start working for Vltava Labe Press, who publish regional dailies on the national net. Here I wrote and still write reviews and objects of interest from the world of pop music. If Carolina readers are interested in the introduction of a regular section about native musical news, it's not a problem. "Rockers from all countries, unite!" Jindrich Jirasek I was supposed to have the name, Matej, but my parents agreed on Jakub. Matej has remained inside me, expressing childishness and foolishness. My first name was probably the last thing in the world, which my parents influenced in an essential way. My birthdate, February 1, 1975, and the surname Knezu (=of a priest) indicate something as well. The first years of my life were comfortably spent, in Iraq, which formed my beautiful image of life. This vision was then deeply hurt when I was forced to attend elementary school. School (Charles U.) is keeps me busy and it will probably fill my time for several more years. I like any beautiful performances, whether there are artistic, educational, life or people. Jakub Knezu I am going on 22. Thus, I am one of the Nestors of the Carolina's staff. Since my hobbies are sports and pop music, I am the author of the hockey, tennis and concert stories. I graduated from a high school we call the secondary economic school, actually called the Trade Academy in Prague. I move on crutches, and it was not easy for me to get through the communist period. Although I am rather talkative, I don't like to talk about myself. Yet, I am willing to respond any questions regarding my humble self. Tomas Kopecny ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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@cuni.cz To subscribe to CAROLINA news you send an e-mail message to the address LISTSERV@earn.cvut.cz The text of message for subscription of the English version must be: SUBSCRIBE CAR-ENG First name Last name or for the Czech version SUBSCRIBE CAR-CS First name Last name To delete your subscription from the list of subscribers you send the following message to the address LISTSERV@earn.cvut.cz: SIGNOFF CAR-ENG or SIGNOFF CAR-CS We ask you not to send automatic replies to our list. You can temporalily stop receiving of Carolina by sending the command: SET CAR-ENG NOMAIL All Listserve commands should be sent to the address: LISTSERV@earn.cvut.cz Please, don't send commands SUB, SIGNOFF, NOMAIL etc to the address CAR-CS@earn.cvut.cz or CAR-ENG@earn.cvut.cz!