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.cz Fax: (+422) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 136, Friday, November 11, 1994. EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 2-9) Coupon Privatization Head Arrested in Bribery Scandal The head of the Coupon Privatization Center was arrested October 31 after he allegedly accepted an 8 million Czech crown bribe. Jaroslav Lizner was arrested as he was leaving the Asia restaurant in Prague. In his briefcase was 8,334,500 crowns, mostly in 5,000-crown notes. Three people with Lizner were also taken into custody, but they were released after an initial interrogation. The firm suspected of making the bribe, Trans World International (TWI), allegedly wanted to gain an interest in a dairy enterprise in Western Bohemia. On November 1, Lizner was accussed in court of accepting the bribe. A day later, he was again taken into custody for fear he would interfere with witnesses. According to allegations, Lizner was to arrange for TWI, a trade company, to buy a major share of Mlekarna Klatovy, a dairy concern, and to arrange contacts between the firm and the CS Fund, which according to various reports has between one-fifth and one-third of the Mlekarna shares. However, the exact nature of Lizner's alleged services for the bribe remains unclear. Interior Ministry Spokesman Jan Subrt confirmed that shares of Mlekarny Klatovy were involved in the scandal. According to Subrt's statement, Lizner was joined at the Asia restaurant by representatives from the CS Fund and TWI - altogether six people. According to Tomas Chrz, CS Fund executive general manager, the two fund representative were invited to the dinner "on the occasion of signing an agreement regarding the sale of shares from the second wave of coupon privatization." Stepanka Kucerova/Vera Vitkova Arrest Provokes Concern for Scheme The bribery arrest of Jaroslav Lizner, a key figure in the coupon privatization scheme, has caused speculation on how the case could influence the conclusion of coupon privatization in the Czech Republic. One of the chief authors of the privatization plan, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, said in an interview with Denni Telegraf that Lizner's arrest does not directly affect the privatization drive. "Coupon privatization is going to finish," Klaus said. "In fact, there are only a few days left, and then we will never see it again. So I cannot even imagine that the thing would affect the future course, anyhow. And to think that foreign investors would consider the case a reason not to invest in the Czech Republic; it is only senseless hyperbole." For Klaus, the alleged bribe represents only a personal failure. Tomas Jezek, another author of coupon privatization and chairman of the Parliament's Economic Comittee, said speculation about the scheme pointed in the wrong direction. Damaged, he said was "only Jaroslav Lizner, and Jaroslav Lizner alone. But he added,"I feel like someone had spilled dirt on my child." On November 6, on the television show Debate, the chairman of the National Property Fund, Roman Ceska, said Lizner could not have acted alone, because the information he needed is compartmentalized. However, the opposition Social Democrat leader, Milos Zeman, said it is regrettable that this case confirms his party's suspicions of widespread privatization corruption. The head of the parliamentary club of the Left Bloc, Jaroslav Ortman, indicated that the coalition has so far refused to monitor the privatization process. J. Chvojka Election Campaign Begins An eight-day campaign leading to local elections November 18 and 19 began Tuesday, with representatives of the republic-level four-party coalition pledging to compete honestly. The campaign will end two days before the election begins. The campaign will be less intense than parliamentary elections, because of bans on paid radio and TV advertising. It will also be less expensive. The most expensive campaigns will be run by the Civic Demcratic Party and the Civic Democratic Alliance, whose expenditures will exceed 10 million crowns. In some cities including Pardubice, Nachod and Zatec, public notices were posted banning the promotion of communism. It is not clear whether town halls will attempt to enforce the ban. However, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia has said it will not observe the notice as it feels such a ban contradicts the constitution. According to a study by the Empirical Research Center, 67 percent plan to vote, 8 percent don't and the rest are undecided. In no area does interest in the election drop below 50 percent. according to MF Dnes Martina Vojtechovska/Jirka Sch. Nazi Victims to Receive Compensation Victims of Nazi persecution will are going to receive from the Czech state 2,300 crowns for each month they were imprisoned or detained. The same amount will be given to widows or children of those who survived imprisonment or detention but died between then and now. The preamble to the law granting compensation states that enacting the law does not affect claims of compensation against Germany, which as the successor state of the Nazi Third Reich carries the legal burdens of the Nazi persecution. Martina Krizkova/Jirka Sch. Miroslav Sladek Accused of Rioting October 28 Miroslav Sladek, chairman of the far-right Republican Party, has been charged with calling an unauthorized rally in Wenceslas Square October 28. The rally led to several arrests and injuries. Sladek is also accused of disregarding a police summons. Czech police have tried unsuccessfully for several days to arrest Sladek at home. On November 5, Prague Deputy Mayor Josef Kredba, applied for a search warrant for Sladek's apartment, but the warrant has not been granted. But a special investigative team decided that all necessary evidence had been collected, and the police watch of Sladek's home was called off November 7. The charges will be sent to him by mail. Martina Krizkova/Martina Vojtechovska Founder of Civil Democrats Leaves Party Petr Havlik, one of the founders of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) in 1991, has left the party. Havlik said the main reason for his departure was the performance of ODS Vice-Chairman Petr Cermak, who has been mired in scandal. According to Havlik, Cermak's activity is destroying his previous work. Havlik, who works for the KJD firm which runs the failed "Ceska lotynka" lottery, said his decision is not connected to his role in running the lottery. "I advocate the first principles of the ODS program," he said. "If it's possible, I'll try to be useful to Czech right wing. There is a long way to perfection." Jana Maruskova/Martina Vojtechovska Campaign Seeks to Stop Drug Abuse An anti-drugs campaign kicked off November 2 at more than 30 youth clubs in the Czech Republic. The campaign, called Stop Drugs, is concentrating on preventing drug abuse by young people and on informing the general public about the drug problem. But some have criticized the program as flashy but lacking substance. Dr. Jiri Presl, who works at the Drop In Foundation, a center helping those addicted to drugs, said the money being spent on the Stop Drugs campaign could fund his organization's work for three years. "Nevertheless, I respect the importance of prevention," Presl said. According to the latest survey of young people, 60 percent of those under 20 years know at least one drug addict, and nearly half have been offered drugs. While the use of hard drugs, especially heroin, is increasing in the Czech Republic, rates of use are still lower than elsewhere in Europe. Ludek S. Stanek/Martina Vojtechovska Where Is My Home? Right Here, Say Czechs Even if they were able to leave without any problems, 80 percent of Czechs would remain in their country, according to an October survey of 1,120 people 14 and older. The survey was conducted by the AISA agency. The remaining fifth would rather move to the move to the United States, Switzerland, Germany and Canada, followed by Australia, France, England, Italy and Sweden. The group that would move is comprised primarily of men, young people and those from cities, especially in heavily polluted Northern Bohemia. Jirka Schneider/Martina Vojtechovska Most Popular Media Surveyed Blesk, the tabloid newspaper with splashy color and lurid headlines, is read by 17 percent of Czechs, making it the country's most popular newspaper. The private television station Nova-TV, which started only in February, is the most watched station, at 66 percent, and the stalwart first channel of Czech Radio-Radiozurnal is number one with 17 percent of Czech ears. The study was conducted by AISA and GFK agencies, and published last week. Tomas Kopecny/Martina Vojtechovska New Ambassador to Isreal Appointed President Vaclav Havel appointed former spokesman of the Civic Democratic Party Jiri Schneider ambassador of the Czech Republic to Israel on Tuesday. Jirka Sch. PEN Club Meets In Prague The 61st Congress of the Pen Club of writers began meeting in Prague November 6 at the Spanish Hall of the Prague Castle. Five hundred novelists and intellectuals are attending. FROM SLOVAKIA New Slovak Government Formed A coalition headed by Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia took over from the government of Jozef Moravcik November 3. The governing coalition, with 83 of 150 seats in Parliament, is made of Meciar's HZDS, the Slovak National Party and the Committee of Slovak Workers. Jan Luptak, head of the Committee of Slovak workers, said: "I am glad we will be involved in cleaning our society. We know what our people want." The coalition made clear that it will settle old scores in the turbulent world of Slovak politics. During the first parliamentary meeting, which lasted 23 hours, parliament voted to replace the heads of the television and radio council, the general public prosecutor, members of the highest control office, the leadership of the national property fund, the control organ of Slovak Secret Service and the director of Slovak Radio. Parliament also named a commission to explain the constitutional crisis in March, when Meciar's and his cabinet was ousted. These decisions were taken unanimously by coalition members after opposition members walked out in protest against the coalition. Michal Vynohradnyk, Lukas Zentel and Jakub Knezu ECONOMICS Coupon Privatization Set to Finish The sixth and final round of coupon privatization began November 7. It will last just one week and will complete the second wave and the whole program of coupon privatization. Small investors and experts alike are facing the round with less than rosy expectations. Those who waited for the final round, hoping to gain many shares for only a few investment points, are disappointed to find that many pursued the same strategy, and that only a small amount of property remains. The Price Comission, which small investors were hoping would slash prices in the final round, acted with greater caution than experts felt necessary. Another aspect which hurts small investors is the tiny pool of stocks remaining in about a hundred entertprises. For Sativa Kerskov, there is only one share to be sold. The share price of 1,000 coupon points is the highest ever set. Petr Hosek Stock Exchange Falling Stock exchange indexes are falling again, lead by such enterprises as Opatovice Power Station, which has fallen by 60 percent from its high point. According to Milan Bohac, stock trader Czechoslovak Trade Bank, no distinct improvement can be expected until the appearance of shares from the second wave of coupon privatization next February. Compounding the falling prices, investors are selling now to gain funds for expected profitable trading with second-wave shares. Petr Hosek/Jirka Sch. CULTURE Golden Kids Stage Comeback A sold-out Lucerna Hall November 3 welcomed back the Golden Kids -- Marta Kubisova, Helena Vondrackova, and Vaclav Neckar -- who appeared together again after 24 years. The Golden Kids, who performed pop-music in the 60's, once again sang Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the Beatles "Hey Jude." Concert promoter Bohuslav Ondracek was pleased that the crowd demanded encores of the Golden Kids. In Saturday's Mlada Fronta Dnes, Vladimir Vlasak wrote: "The Golden Kids were with little exagerration a symbol of the divided and, after years, reunited Czech popular music, and one can say they were also a symbol of forgiveness" according to MfD Andrea Rihova/Jirka Sch Semafor Celebrates 35 Years Theater Semafor, which left its stage in the Passage Alfa because of reconstruction, celebrated its 35th anniversary October 30 with the 300th performances of "Jonas, Let Us Say Tuesday." Andrea Rihova Actor Zdenek Rehor Dies Zdenek Rehor, an outstanding Czech actor who started playing at the Vinohrady Theater in 1950, died Tuesday at the age of 74. Rehor, who was born in Jicin in 1920, first bacame a teacher. But after the Second World War, he began to play in the Village Theater of Jindrich Plachta, then in the D46 Theater. His career included work for television serials and smaller roles in films. In the theater, he played Polonius in "Hamlet," Kalafuna in "The Bagpiper of Strakonice," and Ondrej in Karel Capek's "Mother." In film he was the water-sprite Vodicka in Vorlicek's comedy "How to Drown Dr. Mracek," and one of the alcoholics in Klima's "Good Pigeons Return." On television, he was the awkward father in "Such a Normal Family." Karolina Polakova/Mirek Langer SPORT Czech Hockey Wins German Cup Czech hockey players under coach Ludek Bukac won the 7th German Cup last week in Stuttgart. They won the cup after victories over Finland 3:2, and the German league All-Stars 3:2, which led to a final match with Slovakia. Up to the German Cup, the Czech Republic had a good record against Slovakia, winning all three matches an outscoring the Slovaks 21:5. But in Stuttgart, Slovakia led at the beginning of the third period 3:0. But with a strong third period, the Czechs won 4:3. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer Hockey Extraleague Continues After German Cup Win After a one-week break for Czechs to play in the German Cup, the Hockey Extraleague went on with its next round. Sixteenth round: Zlin - Litvinov 4:3, Sparta Prague - Olomouc 2:2, Kladno - Slavia Prague 8:4, Plzen - Pardubice 6:1, Ceske Budejovice - Jihlava 4:0, Vitkovice - Vsetin 1:1. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer Slavia Overtakes Viktoria Zizkov Atop the Football Standings Slavia Prague took care of Banik Ostrava itself, but it had Viktoria Plzen to thank for beating Viktoria Zizkov 3:2. The two matches put Slavia Prague back on top of the first football league standings before a break for a match between the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Slovan Liberec beat Union Cheb 2:0 to stay in third ahead of Boby Brno, which beat Sigma Olomouc 2:0. Sparta Prague lost its fourth away match in a row, dropping to Ceske Budejovice 0:1, and falling nine points behind Slavia. The match between cellar-dwelling Hradec Kralove and Drnovice, with new coach Stanislav Jarabek, finished a 0:0 draw. Other results: Zlin - Benesov 3:1, Jablonec - Bohemians Prague 3:0 Ruda Cernik/Mirek Langer WEATHER All this week the weather in the Czech republic was cloudy, with occassional rain and foggy mornings. Temperatures at night between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius, and day temperatures were between 9 and 13. Eftychia Damianidou/Mirek Langer ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.cz To subscribe to CAROLINA you send an e-mail message to the address LISTSERV@CSEARN.BITNET or to the address: LISTSERV@EARN.CVUT.CZ 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. 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