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 155, Friday, April 14, 1995. EVENTS FOR THE WEEK APRIL 5-12 Vaclav Havel Returns from Journey to the Pacific President Havel returned on Sunday from a two-week trip to the Pacific, where he was promoting Czech business interests. Havel himself evaluated the trip as a great success, saying he had paved the way for Czech firms to enter the Pacific Asian market, which experts see as a trade center soon to rival those of Europe and the United States. One of the main reasons for Havel's visit was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, an event which the president said was comparable in importance with the defeat of Germany. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer Prime Minister Klaus Negotiates with Dutch Counterpart Czech integration into European structures was the main subject of discussion between Vaclav Klaus and Wim Kok in The Haag last Thursday. According to the Dutch prime minister, the Czech Republic could be admitted relatively soon. Both Wim Kok and Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Mierle voiced support for the Czech Republic's admission in the coming months to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and in the coming years to the European Union (EU) and then NATO. Andrea Rihova/Tomas Kopecny Foreign Minister Zieleniec on Integration of Czechs in NATO On his return from a one-day visit to the United States, Czech Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec said he welcomed the decision of both NATO and the United States to expand the North Atlantic alliance on an individual basis. According to him, the Czech Republic and Poland could be the first two new NATO admissions. According to the Czech daily "Lidove noviny," the United States wants to make it clear to the Kremlin that NATO expansion has already been decided and that Russia will not have the right to veto any new members of the alliance. Andrea Rihova/Tomas Kopecny Parliament Head Uhde Visits European Parliament Czech Parliament Chair Milan Uhde visited Strassbourg April 5 on a one-day visit to the European Parliament for meetings with the heads of parliament of the six European Union associate countries. Said Uhde, after meeting with EP Chair Klaus Hansch and the heads of the Polish and Bulgarian legislatures, "Both East European partners would like to firm up their contacts with the Czech Republic and toward this end invited us for a visit." From Svobodne slovo by Andrea Rihova/Alex Zucker Sudeten Germans Demand Dialogue with Czech Government The leaders of the Sudetendeutsche Landsmannschaft will demand to be part of an official German government delegation for negotiation with the Czech Republic unless the Czech government agrees to a dialogue with Landsmannschaft representatives. Rudolf Hilf, German publicist and historian, said this in a speech last weekend at a conference on Czech-German relations in the South Moravian town of Jihlava. Other signatories of the document "Reconciliation 95" (see the last issue of Carolina) also attended the conference. One of the main issues discussed in Jihlava was the recent Czech Constitutional Court verdict upholding the "Benes decrees" which stripped Sudeten Germans of their property in Czechoslovakia after World War II. According to Herbert Werner, president of the Ackermann Society, this verdict could make the Czech Republic's reputation worse. Hilf labeled the verdict "barbaric." Some of the conference's participants said they believed Hilf's demand to be included in the government-level negotiations was aimed at Prague rather than Bonn. According to the head of the Czech president's office, Lubos Dobrovsky, Hilf's threats could strengthen Czech nationalism, which Dobrovsky is against. "I am sure the politics of blackmail will not became the policy of the government in Bonn," he said. Vera Vitkova/Mirek Langer Christian Democrat Believes Death Penalty Was Recalled Too Soon In a live debate Sunday on TV Nova, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Christian Democratic Party (KDS) Ivan Pilip said that if the death penalty still existed in this country today, he would not call for it to be repealed. Reacting to a petition written by relatives of a brutally murdered 10-year-old boy in which they called for the reinstatement of the death penalty, Pilip said society should protect itself from people who so clearly digress from its rules. He dismissed the Council of Europe's argument that the death penalty could not be reinstated. Said KDS Vice Chair Vaclav Benda, "There are and always will be good reasons for keeping the death penalty." He said Parliament's decision to repeal it five years ago had been rash. Representatives of the Club of Engage Non-Communists (KAN) and the opposition National-Social Liberal Party (LSNS), neither of which are in Parliament, were of the same opinion. The spokesperson of the other Christian party in the government - KDU-CSL - said the only other acceptable solution was a life prison sentence. The strongest government party, the ODS, has not taken an official standpoint and is allowing its members to decide in accordance with their conscience. The successors to the Communist Party, the Left Bloc and the Party of the Democratic Left, agreed in their denouncment of the death penalty. In a column for the daily "Lidove noviny," Vaclav Belohradsky pointed out the severe conflict between the standpoint of the Christian parties and that of the Pope's recent encyclic, adding that it is hard to avoid succumbing to the "un-Christian" desire for revenge. Another commentary in "Mlada Fronta Dnes" favored a more neutral solution - life in prison. Polls show two-thirds of Czechs in favor of the death penalty and 17 percent against. Jiri Schneider/Andrea Snyder Teachers Threaten to Strike for Higher Pay More than 150 South Moravian schools have joined teachers in Zlin demanding higher pay. In addition to higher pay scales, they are calling for twice-annual inflation adjustments in June and December. Most teachers, as well as the teachers' unions, however, do not agree with the threat to walk out on strike unless the Ministry of Education meets their demands by June 15. The Ministry of Education has rejected the teachers' appeal, noting that in July it is planning to raise salaries 18 to 20 percent for current teachers, as well as to improve salaries for starting teachers. The low teachers' salaries often lead to older retirees taking the place of younger teachers. Mirek Langer/Eftychia Damianidou Minister Holan Claims Army Managed Funds Poorly The Supreme Accounting Office (NKU) has unearthed discrepancies of several hundred million crowns in funds managed by the Czech Army, according to the Czech daily "Rude pravo." The newspaper reported that there had been widespread violation of "legal regulations in exercising the right to manage state funds." Defense Minister Vilem Holan admitted to journalists that state funds had been poorly allocated between 1990 and 1994, saying it was in part due to administrative shortcomings. Had the inspection not taken place, Holan said, he would have ordered it himself. "There will be connected consequences" once personal blame can be assigned, Holan said, though he added he had yet to study the NKU's report. He denied speculations that the audit would create chaos at his ministry. Just the opposite, said Holan, it is going "from terrible disorder toward gradual order and gradual cultivation." From Rude pravo by Tereza Hadravova/Andrea Snyder Hundreds Turn Out for Vavrousek's Funeral The funeral for former Czechoslovak environment minister Josef Vavrousek and his 19-year old daughter Petra took place at the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague's Old Town. Vavrousek and his daughter, who has yet to be found, probably died March 18 in an avalanche in the western Tatra mountain range in Slovakia. Hundreds of people took part in the funeral service, including representatives of Charles University, of Czech and foreign environmental organizations, foreign diplomats, mountain climbers, students, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, Social Democrat leader Milos Zeman, Minister of Transportation Jan Stransky, Prague Mayor Jan Koukal, and current Czech Environment Minister Frantisek Benda. Former Czechoslovak Prime Minister Marian Calfa, Free Democrat leader Jiri Dienstbier, and Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Miloslav Petrusek spoke at the funeral. Vavrousek was vice dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The service concluded with the national anthem. Tereza Hadravova/Andrea Snyder New Measures Taken Against Careless Drivers The highway patrol has announced a clampdown on careless drivers under pressure from the Ministry of Transportation, which is worried about the rise in undisciplined drivers on the roads. Police headquarters are sending out new schedules of recommended fines, Chief of Police Oldrich Tomasek announced at an April 6 press conference. He urged police to use the highest fines on the scale. Traffic police may assess on-the-spot fines of as much as 2,000 crowns to drivers who run a red light, exceed the speed limit, fail to respect right of way, or pass in a non-passing zone. Any driver who violates traffic regulations but does not endanger others will be slapped with a 500-crown fine. Tomasek said police could assess fines of up to 10,000 crowns on the spot, though in the case of court prosecution, the driver could end up paying as much as 15,000. However, Zdenek Bambas, director of the Traffic Patrol Services Administration, disagreed, saying careless drivers may be fined a maximum of 7,000 crowns in court, with the highest on-the-spot fine 2,000. The new fine schedule is not yet official, as some details remain to be settled. Jana Maruskova/Andrea Snyder National Fund Chairman Injured in Car Accident Roman Ceska, chairman of the National Property Fund (FNM), had an accident April 5 on his way to a Cabinet meeting in Kolodeje when the car he was riding in crashed into the front of a truck. Both drivers were badly hurt, though Ceska escaped with only a slight injury. The driver of Ceska's Tatra 613 has been charged by police with bodily harm and negligence, and now faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Jana Maruskova/Katerina Rus Female National Minorities to Drop "-ova" Ending on Last Name The Czech Republic is going to abolish the requirment that women attach the traditional "-ova" ending to their last names in order to avoid violating its own Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and also to comply with the Council of Europe's General Agreement on National Minorities. Igor Nemec, chairman of the Czech Republic's Council on Nationalities, announced this move, saying it would apply only to women belonging to national minorities. He said it would also be necessary to allow women living in areas where two languages are spoken to have two names. This is especially relevant in the Tesin region, bordering on Poland, where the Czech Republic's Polish minority is concentrated. Muhammad Shah/Katerina Rus BUSINESS/ECONOMICS Exchange Rates of the Czech National bank (valid from April 13) Checks Cash country buy sell middle buy sell Great Britain 1 GPB 41,391 41,807 41,599 40,18 43,02 France 1 FRF 5,313 5,367 5,340 5,14 5,54 Japan 100 JPY 31,018 31,330 31,174 29,87 32,47 Canada 1 CAD 18,184 19,038 18,943 18,05 19,83 Austria 1 ATS 2,635 2,661 2,648 2,59 2,71 Germany 1 DEM 18,542 18,728 18,635 18,18 19,10 Switzerland 1 CHF 22,515 22,741 22,628 22,13 23,13 USA 1 USD 26,027 26,289 26,158 25,46 26,86 Slovakia 1 XCU -- -- 34,286 -- -- CULTURE Detective Writer Dick Francis in Prague for Three Days Dick Francis, the near legendary British author of horse-track detective stories, arrived in the Czech Republic April 9 for his third visit to Prague. Besides meeting with friends and fans, he also paid a visit to the horsetrack in Chuchle. The 75-year-old former jockey admitted that it had been nine years since he last sat on a horse. Writing books is much more difficult, according to him. Francis said that he was working on a new book though he would not reveal the plot. Accompanying Francis was Jaroslava Moserova, the former Czech ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, who translates his books into Czech. According to her, Francis has the same qualities as the heroes of his books - honor and a sense of fair play. Vera Vitkova/Katerina Rus 10th Czech Film of 1995 a 13th-Century Historical Drama The story of the legendary Zdislava of Lemberk is the 10th Czech movie to come out this year, opening in Prague on April 11. Directed by Ludvik Raza, "V erbu lvice" ("In the Lioness' Coat-of-Arms"), is based on the 1977 novel of the same name by Alena Vrbova. The story takes place in the mid-13th century at the Lemberk castle near the small town of Jablonne (Northern Bohemia) where the aristocratic Zdislava uses her abilities as a healer to help the townspeople. Milena Steinmasslova plays Zdislava, and appearing in his final role as a delirious monk is Josef Kemr, who died earlier this year. But there is another side to this movie, as there were disagreements on the title, which was changed several times prior to release. While the working title was simply "Zdislava," in the final stages the makers reached an agreement with the producer to rename it "Zdislava of Lemberk," which was then used in the promotional campaign, including the movie posters. Less then three weeks before the premiere, however, the producer had to change the name to "In the Lioness' Coat-of-Arms," as director Georgi Ivanov claimed he had already registered the title "Zdislava" for a film on the same subject he was making and his producers were threatening to sue to protect the name. Vrbova, the author of the book, agreed to the name-change in Raza's version. Tomas Kopecny/Katerina Rus "Finale 1995" Film Festival Closes with Awards Ceremony "Indianske leto" ("The Indian Summer"), Sasa Gedeon's directorial debut, won the Golden Kingfisher award in the Finale 1995 film festival, which we wrote about in the last issue of Carolina. Martin Dejdar won best actor for his starring role in "Ucitel tance" ("The Dance Instructor") and Ivana Chylkova took best actress for "Diky za kazde nove rano" ("Thanks for Each New Morning"). Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer SPORTS With a Lot of Luck, Sparta Defeats Slavia In round 21 of the Czech soccer league, all eyes were focused on the match between the league leaders, the 127th running of the "Prague S Derby," Sparta Prague vs. Slavia Prague. Both teams came out with heavy emphasis on defense, battling hard for every square meter of the playing field. Slavia Prague had the first scoring chances, but the real drama came only after halftime when national team defender and Slavia captain Jan Suchoparek needlessly got himself ejected in the 68th minute. Sparta, now with a a one-man advantage, stepped up the pressure. First Hornak had a header saved stopped by Slavia's goalpost, then substitute Koller failed to capitalize on two big chances. Just as it was looking like the match would end in a draw, Kristofik, a Slovak who plays for Slavia, lost the ball to Sparta's Nedved who turned round and skillfully found the upper corner of the Slavia goal. In the run for the league title, then, Slavia now leads Sparta by just two points. Other results: Union Cheb - FK Jablonec 0:2, Viktoria Plzen - Bohemians Praha 4:0, Slovan Liberec - Ceske Budejovice 0:1, Sigma Olomouc - Svarc Benesov 2:1, Viktoria Zizkov - Petra Drnovice 0:1, Svit Zlin - Banik Ostrava 0:0, Boby Brno - Hradec Kralove 0:0. Rudolf Cernik/Mirek Langer Czech and Slovak Figure Skating Success Slovak figure skater Jozef Sabovcik took the silver at the professional world championships in Paris, finishing behind Paul Wylie of the United States. Petr Barna of the Czech Republic finished fourth. Czech and Slovak fans remember Jozef Sabovcik as the first skater to attempt a jump with four spins in a major competition. Since he landed on both feet, however, Canadian Brian Orser's name made the record books instead. Mirek Langer/M. Langer WEATHER While last week the sun colored Prague's rooftops gold with unusually warm temperatures, since Sunday the weather has been changing (as usual for April), with temperatures ranging from 0 to 15 degrees Celsius. So if you're going to Prague, take your swimsuit, a cap and an umbrella. Martina Krizkova/Mirek Langer SUPPLEMENT 1 Czech Easter, Yesterday and Today Easter, according to the dictionary, is the most important religion in Christianity, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Theologically and historically this holiday is connected with the Jewish holiday of Pesah, when Jesus was crucified. The heart of Easter is Easter Sunday, the celebration of Jesus' rise from the dead, falling on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon. According to Czech custom, the most important day of the Easter cycle is Monday. The custom itself dates back a long way, as does the decoration of the Easter egg. Originally it was a magic ceremony only for adults and only later did it take on a playful nature. The boys walk from one house to another whipping girls and woman with the pomlazka, a braided willow sprig, which is supposed to ensure that the next year they will be healthy, happy and diligent. In return, the boys then receive the decorated Easter eggs. Traditional baked goods are also an inseparable part of the Czech Easter holiday, with lambs, hot cross buns, bochanky and cakes. Today Easter is celebrated not only in villages, but also in towns. Proof is the event "Czech Easter 95," taking place on Prague's Old Town Square April 7 to 17. The public will have the chance to see 42 stands selling traditional artistic handicrafts. The organizers have also planned various competitions in the Easter spirit. Every day there will be concerts and performances, celebrating the holiday's folk traditions. P.S. To make your Easter more happy and rich, here is a recipe for a great Easter cake: 1/2 kg of flour , 12 dg of butter, 10 dg of sugar, 3 egg yolks, 3 and 1/2 dg of yeast, 200 ml of milk, salt, 3 dg of almonds, 4 dg of raisins, vanilla, lemon peel, a little bit of rum, crushed almonds. With a little mild milk, a teaspoon of sugar and crushed yeast make a leaven. In a serving dish wipe the butter, the sugar and the yolks, then add vanilla, lemon peel, salt, rum, the rised leaven and the mild milk. Mix in the flour, the peeled roasted almonds and the raisins. First knead the dough with the cooking spoon, then with the rolling board. Leave it to rise, then make one or two small Easter cakes. After the rising spread the eggs, cut with a cross and sprinkle on the crushed almonds. Bake on a medium flame at first, later lower it. On behalf of everyone at Carolina, Eftychia Damianidou and Martina Krizkova wish you bon appetit and a Happy Easter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our Calling Cards, or Who's Who on the Staff of This Year's Carolina (Translated by Vera Vitkova) I am 19 years old, almost 20. What I like is summer, water, wine, good food, newspapers, books, sculptures, paintings, Bach, jazz and my Russian boyfriend with whom I've been living in Prague for some time. I've got a sister, parents and step-parents. I don't have a dog. Martina Krizkova I am 20. I graduated from gymnasium (high school) in 1992. Then I worked in several Czech dailies - Cesky denik (the Czech Daily), Telegraf (Telegraph), Lidove noviny (the People's Newspaper), always as an editor of Czech news. For a while I was also employed in an agency dealing with public relations, but I did not enjoy it a whole bunch. At the moment I am studying at the Department of Journalism at the Faculty of Social Studies at Charles University (FSV UK). Apart from my studies, I am working as a reporter at Tyden (the Week) magazine in the Events section, covering mostly politics and the economy. Besides this I totally enjoy reading everything, if possible, as well as listening to classical and rock music. Not to forget, I love skiing. As well, I go crazy about animals. Stepanka Kucerova M. K., or the Life of a Beginning Journalist I was born on October 28, 1975. That's the day when the entire Czech nation celebrates its national holiday. I was brought up in a foothills town with a population of six thousand people. Already during my high school studies I was enchanted by radio. I started to work at a student radio station broadcasting once every two weeks. This activity foreshadowed my decision regarding my future studies. I applied for a journalism major at the FSV UK and, eventually, I was accepted. Soon after I had started my studies, the passion for radio was revealed in myself again. I began to work as an announcer for the Classics Radio Station. This station broadcasts almost only classical music and partially journalistic programs. What I like is beautiful music, literature and the arts. Martin Kupka There's a man who's been (for 18 years) emitting radioactivity derived from his home, the uranium-mine-filled town of Pribram, thus influencing the people and the environment surrounding him. In his view, within the 18 years he's been getting less and less normal, because a jacket is what he likes to put on most of all while he would not be caught wearing jeans, because he likes to listen to classical (Czechs call it "serious") music while he would have to be violently forced in order to listen to heavy metal. This man had always thought he would become a teacher one day (physics and mathematics) until the day he learned that he was accepted to study journalism. Being pretty hopeless in P.E. (physical education), he'll be deeply engraved in the minds of two generations of P.E. teachers. Yet, despite this fact, he enjoys doing the sports reports. By the way, already in his early childhood he was fortunate to be the commentator covering the great successes of Czech sports when leaning over sports toys such as Hockey Igra and Chemoplast Soccer. This man is, I beg your pardon, me. Mirek Langer For the great favor I did for my parents (meaning that I was born) I got the pretty ordinary, not-too-nice name of Jana. This happened one fall of the year 1974. Within the 20 years of my life I've been able to graduate from a gymnasium in my hometown of Brandys nad Labem, to get my graduation certificate, and to start my studies at the Social Law Academy in Prague. I've always felt close to the issues of law and journalism. I've always strived to link these two issues somehow and so I started to work with the staff of Cesky denik (the Czech Daily). In 1994 I was fortunate enough to pass the college entrance exams at both the Faculty of Law and the Department of Journalism. Nowadays I am trying to keep pace at both schools and at the same time not to lose contact with the intense social life I'm enjoying. Jana Maruskova ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. 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