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 CZECH REPUBLIC 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 185, Friday, January 12, 1996. HOLIDAY EVENTS (December 20 - January 10) Czech Politicians Remember Francois Mitterrand Former dissidents grieved for Francois Mitterrand, who had supported their opposition movement during the old regime. When he visited the Czech Republic in 1988, Mitterrand breakfasted with the dissidents in political recognition of what had been until then a criminal activity. President Vaclav Havel remembers him as a politician-European thinking in the long-term perspective. Post-revolution Minister of Foreign Affairs and today the Co-chairman of the Free Democrat-National Socialist Liberal Party Jiri Dienstbier Considers Mitterrand to be one of the most important people since World War 2. Premier Vaclav Klaus was shocked by news of Mitterrand's death, especially when the French ambassador reminded him that he was probably the last Czech politician to speak to Mitterrand. Opposition politicians also payed their respects. Social Demorat Chairman Milos Zeman was quoted as saying that Mitterrand was one of the last politicians to deserve the denotation of statesman. Zdenek Mlynar, honorary chairman of the Left Block and Charta 77 signatory, calls the death a loss for all the world's socialists. Both President Havel and Premier Klaus signed condolences at the French embassy in Prague January 9. Havel attended the January 11 funeral in Paris. Lucie Dvorakova/Andrea Snyder President Havel and Cardinal Vlk Visit Bosnia President Vaclav Havel was in Bosnia December 22-23. His visit was to support the arrival of the first international peace-keeping units. He was the first head of state to visit Bosnia following the Dayton Agreement. Havel met with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic, Premier Haris Silajdzic and representatives of all of Sarajevo's ethnic communities. He honored fallen Sarajevans, toured the historical sights and opened a Czech culture center. President Havel was accompanied to Bosnia by Czech Minister of Defense and Cardinal Miloslav Vlk. The archbiship cardinal from Prague stayed for Christmas Eve to the conduct midnight mass in the Sarajevo Cathedral. It was the first mass in for years to be conducted in peace. Olga Huderova/Andrea Snyder First Czech Soldiers in Bosnia Twenty five Czech soldiers, who belong to IFOR (Implementation Force) international peace-keeping forces, left for Bosnia on Thursday, January 4. The officers are to assist planning of an operation, which aims to maintain peace pact regulations in Bosnia. 14 more soldiers left for former Jugoslavia Wednesday, January 14. The first part of the battalion (over 850 soldiers) will be in northwest Bosnia around January 16. The soldiers will work under the Canadian brigade of the British division. Olga Huderova/Katerina Zachovalova Premier Visits United Arab Emirats and Kuwait Czech Premier Vaclav Klaus was on a three-day official visit to the the United Arab Emirats and Kuwait January 6-8. Klaus met with the Kuwaiti head of state, Emir Shiek Ahmad Jabir sabah Monday, January 8. He also met with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Kuwaiti Premier Shiek Saadam Abdallah Sabah, and with officials from the Kuwaiti Chamber of Industry and Trade. On the Same day, the First Deputy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandr Vondra signed a Czech-Kuwaiti agreement regarding the support and protection of investment. The agreement should facilitate financial co-operation. An agreement concerning double taxation between the Czech republic and Kuwait, and between the Czech Republic and the UAE, is also being prepared. Natasa Hajkova/Andrea Snyder Czech-Slovak Border Pact Czech Minister of the Interior Jan Ruml and his Slovak counterpart Ludovit Hudek signed an pact regarding Czech-Slovak border maitenence January 4 at the Zidlochovice castle. The administrative border should be shortened from from its current 285 km to 252 km. Of the nearly 20 proposed changes, the U Sabotu community issue is one of the most fiercely debated. U Sabotu should fall within the Slovak borders, but according to the latest city referendum, 64 percent of the community's residents does not want to live in the Slovak Republic. The Czech government is preparing a compensation package for them. Parliament has yet to approve the pact and then both presidents to sign. Natasa Hajkova/Andrea Snyder Lubos Dobrovsky to Be New Czech Ambassador to Russia? Current Czech Ambassador to Moscow Rudolf Slansky wants to resign in January. Supposedly, the Director of the President's office and the former Minister of Defence, Lubos Dobrovsky, should replace Slansky in the office. Dobrovsky, born in 1932 studied and translated from Russian. In 1967-68 he worked in Moscow as a radio correspondent. Natasa Hajkova/Katerina Zachovalova President Awards Legionnaires and OSN Peace Keepers On New Year's Day President Vaclav Havel awarded 15 legionnaires (one in memorium), who had faught in World War One the medal "For Bravery." OSN peace keepers received the same award for bravery and the saving of human lives. Three other UNPROFOR soldiers were awarded with a "For merits" medal. Natasa Hajkova/Katerina Zachovalova Probably No University Tuitions Next Year Parliament returned the University Education Act bill to the government for reappraisal. As a result, the tuition decision will probably be delayed for some time. The opposition, the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) and the Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party all opposed the bill, which was rejected mainly due to the tuition clause and payment system. Minister of Education Ivan Pilip refused to reshape the bill until elections. Pilip is qouted in Czech daily Mlada fronta dnes as saying in parliament, "The election campaign has come closer, there were not enough ears for factual arguments." Lucie Dvorakova/Katerina Zachovalova Minister of Interior Recalls Inspections Director The fourth director of inspections, Vladimir Nechanicky, was fired by the Czech Minister of the Interior Jan Ruml December 28. The reason Ruml explained that, as his precedents, Nechanicky was guilty of a serious breech in service duties. Vladimir Nechanicky says that conflicts are centered around the fumbled police intervention at the U Holubu restaurant in May. Natasa Hajkova/Katerina Zachovalova News in Brief * In his New Year's address, appealing to the morals of society, President Vaclav Havel said, "I believe the necessity to bond all forces in nuturing a better moral climate in the land is the most important thing in the comming months and years." Newspaper headlines following the address read: "Moral Climate Must Improve, Believes President" (Denni telegraf); "President Believes Czech Society to be Mainly Lacking Moral Dimensions" (Pravo); "New Year's Address: A Market Economy Doesn't Mean Getting Rich at the Expense of Others" (Lidove noviny); "President Havel: Freedom and Democracy Do Not Give Anyone the Right to Threaten the Freedom and Lives of Others" (Svobodne slovo). * The new Jesenik district (in North Moravia) is the 76th district in the Czech Republic as of January 1. * December 31 former Health Minister Ludek Rubas stepped down from his position as advisor to the Minister of Health. He will continue as Civic Democratic Party representative to Parliament, and pediatric surgeon. * The policeman, who has been calling to threaten Vaclav Benda, the director of the Office for the Documentation and Investigation of the Crimes of Communism," and his family with death, was fired from the police force. Unlike other police, he received no severence pay. * Former state police (StB) leutenent Ludvik Zifcak, who had been serving an 18-month sentence for abusing his authority as a public official during the revolution, was released December 28 after serving half of his sentence. The court put him on an 18-month probation. * Following the recent skinhead attack of foreign students at Pacleck University in Olomouc, police are strengthing patrols in town, and students are preparing an anti-racism demonstration. Lucie Dvorakova and Olga Huderova/Andrea Snyder FROM SLOVAKIA President Michal Kovac: The Year of Tolerance in Slovakia Was More the Year of Retaliation That was the headline for Slovak daily SME's January 2 story on the president's New Year's address. Slovak President Michal Kovac said that the present political situation has begun to seriously threaten the position and mission of morality and profesional honor. He says that party allegiance and loyality to powerful politicians has become more important. Lida Truneckova/Katerina Zachovalova ECONOMICS Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from 11.1.1996) country currency Australia 1 AUD 19.893 Belgium 100 BEF 90.384 Great Britain 1 GBP 41.355 Denmark 1 DKK 4.803 Finland 1 FIM 6.144 France 1 FRF 5.423 Ireland 1 IEP 42.687 Italy 1000 ITL 17.008 Japan 100 JPY 25.552 Canada 1 CAD 19.625 Luxemburg 100 LUF 90.384 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.584 Noway 1 NOK 4.222 New Zealand 1 NZD 17.601 Portugal 100 PTE 17.916 Austria 1 ATS 2.641 Greece 100 GRD 11.382 Slovakia 100 SKK 90,170 Germany 1 DEM 18.574 Spain 100 ESP 22.079 Sweden 1 SEK 4.096 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.996 USA 1 USD 26.745 ECU 1 XEU 34.535 IMF 1 XDR 39.453 CULTURE In Spite of Czech Philharmony Hundreth Anniversary Celebration,Internal Conflicts Abound The Czech Philharmony celebrated its hundredth anniversary January 4, replaying the opening concert from 1896. Under the baton of two conductors - Czech Jiri Belohlavek and German Gerd Albrecht, the orchestra played The Third Rhapsody, The Biblical Chants, the overture Othello and the New World symphony by Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak had directed the concert one hundred years before. The Biblical Chants were performed by Dagmar Peckova. Neither the Prime Minister, nor the President attended the concert, which was at invitation only. Due to intense public interest, the concert was re-performed in following days. The gala evening brought only a short moment of peace to the five year-long contention over the jurisdiction of the director and the head conductor of the philharmony. Tuesday, January 9 Minister of Culture Pavel Tigrid discussed his decision to ammend the Czech Philharmony's statute with the orchestra members. The amendment, that should become valid January 15, would pass the decision making juridiction into the hands of the general director of the Czech Philharmony. DPH, a German wire service, reported that Albrecht has resolved resign from his function immediately after the orchestra's tour of Spain, which began Wednesday finishes. Tigrig sais, however, that although he lost confidence in Albrecht years ago, he wants to meet with the head conductor once more. Petr Ruttner directed "A Hundred Years in the Life of the Czech Philharmony", a documentary to be shown on Czech Television January 1. The movie does not refer to the conflicts of the past five years. Klara Schirova/Klara Schirova Castle Clothed in New Lights Twenty new lights, situated to stress architechtonic features lit the St.Vitus Cathedral in the Prague Castle for the first time Wednesday, December 20. Frenchman Roger Glab, of the Rhems Centre National Art et Technologie, designed the lighting that cost the Prague Castle Administration and the Vaclav Havel Foundation for the Development of the Prague Castle 12 million crowns. The new lighting was introduced with an evening light show. Pictures depicting the history of the cathedral and the country, were projected on a wall of the Lichtenstein palace. Music was played throughout the projection and the production ended with a laser show and fireworks. 50 other monuments in Prague are also illuminated by the flood lights. The Public Lightning Administration uses about 1400 reflectors and lights to stress architechtonic features. They are planning new lightning for Charles Bridge in the near future. Klara Schirova/Klara Schirova Nativita - an Exhibition by Handicapped Girls The fourth year of the Nativita 96 exhibition opened January 2 in the Gallery of the Therapeutic Art in Prague. The exhibition presents collection of the art works and ceramics created by mentally and physically disabled girls from the Institute of the Social Care in Cekanice u Blatne. Thanks were expressed to all devoted employees who try to replace that what is most important for the children - home. The exhibition of pictures, engaging in their cheerful colors and innocent will end January 21. Jitka Motejzikova-Klara Schirova SPORTS Javelin-thrower Zelezny the Best Sportsman of Czech republic in 1995 The Sportsman of the Year 1995 poll results were announced in Prague's hotel Praha Wednesday, December 20. 1416 sports reporters voted for Jan Zelezny, the Czech Republic's javelin-throwing olympic winner and world champion, to receive the award for the second time. 1289 votes gave second place to the best Czech ice-hockey player in NHL Jaromir Jagr. 1045 votes put Radka Kovarikova and Rene Novotny, world champions in amateur and professional pair ice skating. The journalists also awarded the Czech team that played in the European Championship. The sport staff of Carolina voted for the ice-skaters and the soccer team. Jan Palicka/Katerina Zachovalova Drulak Football Player of the Year Radek Drulak, an offence player for the Drnovice team and the Czech representation, was voted Football Player of the Year Wednesday, December 27 in the Boby centre in Brno. The thirty-three year old was followed by a trio of Sparta players - Petr Kouba, Martin Frydek and Pavel Nedved. As expected, Dusan Uhrin of the representation was made Coach of the Year. Ivo Ulich, a reserve player for the Hradec Kralove team was voted Talent of the Year. Jan Palicka/Klara Schirova Traditional Vltava Christmas Swim Men and women gathered Tuesday, December 26 on Zofin Island in Prague to immerse their bodies in the icey waters of the Vltava for the Alfred Nikodem Memorial. Participants prepare all year for this 49-year old tradition, building up a tolerance to freezing water. On the day of the swim, water temperature was about three degrees Celsius and the outside temperature oscilated around zero. Approximately 88 people, including 16 women, took the dive. The oldest person was Ladislav Nicek from Olomouc, born in 1913, who hasn't missed a Christmas swim for the past 46 years. Jan Palicka/Klara Schirova Extraleague Ice Hockey Results Round 29: Sparta-Olomouc 4-1, Slavia-Kladno 4-2, Jihlava-Zlin 3-2, Plzen-Litvinov 4-1, Vitkovice-Budejovice 4-3, Brno-Pardubice 0-4. Round 30: Zlin-Jihlava 2-4, Olomouc-Sparta 3-4, Trinec-Vsetin 2-4, Budejovice-Vitkovice 3-0, Kladno-Slavia 2-4, Pardubice-Brno 1-2, Litvinov-Plzen 9-2. Round 31: Pardubice-Trinec 4-5 p.p., Olomouc-Vsetin 5-3, Brno-Plzen 4-2, Vitkovice-Sparta 5-3, Jihlava-Litvinov 2-2, Kladno-Budejovice 1-1, Slavia-Zlin 1-5. Round 32: Budejovice-Kladno 8-2, Plzen-Brno 3-2, Litvinov-Jihlava 4-0, Vsetin-Olomouc 2-4, Trinec-Pardubice 4-3 p.p., Zlin-Slavia 3-5, Sparta-Vitkovice 2-5. Jan Palicka Football in Brief * Lubosh Kubik, who has played for the Slavia, Norimberk, Fiorentina, Met and Lazni Bohdanec teams, will be hosting the first league's spring season in Drnovice. * Not having resolved financial conflicts with the Cheb town hall, the SK Union Cheb team will be moving to Blsany. Jan Palicka/Arsen Kocarjan WEATHER Christmas was muddy, here in the Czech Republic. It only snowed in the mountains. December 22 icey roads caused a tragic 40-car pile-up near Humpolec on the Prague-Brno highway. Two people were killed, and seven sustained serious injury. Actor Petr Hanicinec from the Vinohrady theater was also severely injured. Early January brought us rain, which froze, leaving a dangerous film of ice over everything. Olga Huderova/Arsen Kocarjan ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. 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