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 194, Friday, March 15, 1996. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (March 6-13) Vaclav Havel Addresses Parliament President Vaclav Havel invited politicians March 12 to make their views clear on issues that cannot be dealt with before this summer's elections (e.g., decentralization). He also expressed a wish that the upcoming election campaigns be conducted politely. It was probably his last speech to this Parliament. The President congratulated the first Parliament of the independent Czech Republic and thanked the members of Parliament for their work. He also said, however, that Parliament had not finished many things, which now remain as a challenge to future lawmakers. Havel named the reforms of public administration and the country's remapping among the first tasks awaiting the new Parliament. He also dedicated part of his speech to the long-awaited Senate, saying that he would like it to be a group of people that gain the trust of the nation. Havel also supports opposition representation in parliamentary organs. Havel was critical of the relations between Parliament and the government, where cooperation was not always positive, and of communication within the governing coalition. He said the state should play a more effective role in economic policy. In the part of his address dedicated to foreign policy, the president warned against isolationism, whether the motive be nationalistic or driven by an attempt at neutrality. The Czech daily MF Dnes wrote March 13, "Havel avoided evaluation of specific problems which could play roles in the election campaign, such as relations with Germany and the situation in healthcare. His address was less specific and controversial than his speech last year." Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus refused to comment on the president's address. Radim Wolak/Andrea Snyder Health Care Protests Continue The Union of Health and Social Care (OSZSP) and the Independent Union Organization of Central Healthcare Workers will join the strike the Physicians' Union Club (LOK) called for March 25-26 (see Carolina 193). Union Chief Richard Falbr challenged other unions to participate in the March 25 demonstrations. The Association of Czech Physicians, the Professional Union and the Czech-Moravian Chamber of Labor Unions will support the strike. Nurses plan on working weekend hours during the strike. OSZSP representatives emphasized independence from LOK. Opposed to LOK, which demands 150 crowns per hour, OSZSP demands increasing tariff wages by 40 per cent and changes in health care financing. Titanik, the first of the health care demonstrations, took place March 11 in front of the Praha-Vysocany hospital. About 200 workers, nearly half of the hospital's personnel, listened attentively to speeches by Dr. David Rath, Milan Kubek (both from LOK), and OSZSP Chairman Jiri Schlanger. Director of the Vysocany Hospital Josef Heller was quoted in the Czech press as saying employees will have to either make up the time (approximately half an hour) spent away from the workplace, or suffer a reduction in pay. Zora Kasikova/Andrea Snyder Parliament Debates State Social Welfare Amendment Members of Parliament are discussing an amendment to the State Social Welfare Law, which went into effect January 1. Carolina 191 and 193 reported on several areas of the law that had been skimmed over. The amendment would allow students attending certain schools abroad to receive state support. In time, students studying abroad would have the right to receive transportation money, just as their counterparts at home do. Minister of Education Ivan Pilip labeled a mistake the hole in the new social welfare system that renders the parents of nearly 4,000 children studying abroad not eligible for state support. "We plan to award these students scholarships for the transition period," said Pilip. When Carolina reached its deadline, the Ministry of Education had still not confirmed the validity of the statement. Michaela Vysoudilova/Andrea Snyder Television and Radio Give More Time to Certain Political Parties Prime Minister and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Chairman Vaclav Klaus has received six times more media space than his most significant opponent, Milos Zeman of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD). Sociologists and employees of public opinion agencies are convinced television presence markedly influences voters' decisions. Representatives of public Czech Televion and of privately-owned TV NOVA maintain they are trying with objective equilibrium to inform the public. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), the Party of the Democratic Left (SDL) and the Association for the Republic-Republican Party of Czechoslovakia are dissatisfied with the amount of time they receive to present themselves on television and public radio. Republican Chairman Miroslav Sladek has been using the word discrimination. For example, KSCM had 118 minutes at its disposal, in comparison to the ODS-Christian Democratic Party coalition, which had 20 times more, at 2,414 minutes of broadcast time, based on a survey from the A-Connect company, which monitors Czech Television, TV NOVA, Premiera TV and Czech Radio 1 - Radiojournal. David Vozdecky/Andrea Snyder Interior Minister Jan Ruml Proposes Liquidation of Stepan's Communists Interior Minister Jan Ruml submitted the government a plan to propose the liquidation of the Party of Czechoslovak Communists (SCK) to the Supreme Court. SCK Chairman Miroslav Stepan is a former communist leader. The catalyst for the move was when the party campaign platform was announced at the party conference as a continuation of the pre-1989 platform of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (see Carolina 192). The governing coalition does not agree with Ruml's proposal. While Education Minister Ivan Pilip (formerly of the Christian Democratic Party, which is merging with the coalition leader, the Civic Democratic Party) supports the liquidation, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus (Civic democratic chairman) recently said that he would not ban any parties, that it is more fair not to vote for them. A.W.Isar/Andrea Snyder Klaus New Chairman of the Inter-ministry Committee Against Drugs The Inter-ministry Committee Against Drugs voted Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus their new chairman March 8. Klaus said the decision was such so as to give the commission certain decision-making authority. Four ministers will also be on the committee: Interior Minister Jan Ruml, Justice Minister Jiri Novak, Health Minister Jan Strasky and Education Minister Ivan Pilip. The committee situation came to a head at the end of last year, when the Government Office lead by Minister without Portfolio Igor Nemec, the previous committee chairman, forced Pavel Bem to resign from the position of General Secretary. Today, the activities of the Committee Against Drugs are practically paralyzed. Jitka Hejtmanova/Andrea Snyder Drugs Discussed at Prague's Philosophical Faculty A passionate debate on the "drug problem" in our society ensued in the auditorium of Charles University's College of Humanities (Filozoficka Fakulta). The main speakers were the Czech Social Democratic Party Vice-Chairwoman and parliamentary deputy Petra Buzkova and Jiri Pressl from the Drop-in Foundation. Buzkova took a stand against Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party deputy Pavel Severa's proposal to prosecute for drug possesion, even of an amount designated for personal use. The government rejected this proposal in January. Buzkova says the law should be amended to apprehend more dealers and counteract abuse of children in the drug trade. Pressl focused on the history of prevention and aid to drug addicts. Most of the participants were students. Jitka Hejtmanova/Andrea Snyder Lowest Birth Rate in 200 Years The number of children born in the Czech Republic in 1995 was the lowest recorded in more than 200 years, according to preliminary data published this week by the Czech Statistical Office. For the first time in 200 years, less than 100,000 new Czechs arrived, which is almost 22,000 less than the number of Czechs who died in 1995. Births totaled 96,097 and 117,913 Czechs died last year. Influenced by the low birth rate, the nation's population decreased by 12,000, at the end of the year reaching about 10.3 million. The overall low population numbers were not even influenced by the fact that 10,000 more people immigrated to the Czech Republic than emigrated from it. In relation to the low birth rate, the opposition Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) asked the government to assert a more vigorous pro-population policy, seeing the problem mainly in the absence of "any housing policy whatsoever." According to Labor and Social Affairs Minister Jindrich Vodicka of the ruling Civic Democratic Party, the process corresponds with the behavior of the younger generation, which puts career first. Lucie Chytrackova/Klara Schirova FROM SLOVAKIA Josef Zieleniec in Bratislava During his official visit to Slovakia, Czech Foreign Affairs Minister Josef Zieleniec met March 8 with President Michal Kovac, Premier Vladimir Meciar and Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Schenk. The ministers evaluated their meeting positively, though their declarations were very general. They said negotiations involved both bilateral and international affairs, while Schenk said they did not avoid the "question of the impact of talks with Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Yevgeni Primakov." Zieleniec labeled his hourlong talk with Meciar polite. Cooperation in European integration processes was one theme during the meeting with Kovac. Zieleniec denied that negotiations concerned planning a future summit of Czech and Slovak prime ministers or the posture of both countries toward relations with Germany and Sudeten Germans. According to the Slovak government's official communique, the visit served an important function, and they accord it significant meaning. Michal Kubal/Klara Schirova ECONOMY/BUSINESS February Unemployment Rate at 3.1 Per Cent According to Labor and Social Affairs Minister Jindrich Vodicka, the February unemployment rate was 3.1 per cent, which means 165,000 unemployed people. The lowest unemployment rate (0.3 per cent) is in Prague, the highest in northern Bohemia (5.2 per cent) and northern Moravia (5.1 per cent). Northern Bohemia is the only area where the number of unemployed increased. Zbynek Vicar/Katerina Zachovalova Average 1995 Czech Salary 8,170 Crowns The average 1995 salary in the Czech Republic reached 8,170 crowns, according to preliminary data published this week. Compared to 1994, this represents 17.8 per cent growth, or 8 per cent in real terms. Zbynek Vicar/Katerina Zachovalova Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from March 15) country currency ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 21.105 Belgium 100 BEF 89.904 Great Britain 1 GBP 41.444 Denmark 1 DKK 4.785 Finland 1 FIM 5.922 France 1 FRF 5.397 Ireland 1 IEP 42.711 Italy 1000 ITL 17.301 Japan 100 JPY 25.828 Canada 1 CAD 19.865 Luxemburg 100 LUF 89.904 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.513 Norway 1 NOK 4.245 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.796 Portugal 100 PTE 17.871 Austria 1 ATS 2.629 Greece 100 GRD 11.270 Slovakia 100 SKK 90.570 Germany 1 DEM 18.476 Spain 100 ESP 21.988 Sweden 1 SEK 4.009 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.917 USA 1 USD 27.196 ECU 1 XEU 34.181 SDR 1 XDR 39.821 CULTURE John Lennon, Slightly Differently Those who visit Prague's Miro Gallery before April 4 will have the chance to uncover the internal sensitivity of John Lennon, as seen in his drawings from the late 80's. Lennon, famous foremost for his music with the Beatles, studied art at the Liverpool Art Institute. His drawings are marked by a minimum of lines, finished with color tints and a seeming randomness. They also confirm the strong bonds to family, nature, efforts to stop wars and return to basic human values. They emanate the peace of a spiritually balanced and happy man. The impression of the exhibit are intensified by the fact that Lennon died, in 1980, one year after creating most of these works. Lennon's widow Yoko Ono once said about the drawings: "John's sketches are autobiographic, they were some kind of diary." Jitka Motejzikova/Katerina Zachovalova French Cinematography in Prague Prague's Lucerna theater showed a series of 10 new French films, from March 7-12. Those featured in the films included celebrities like Emmanuelle Beart, Olivier Martinez, Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Adjani. The first film shown was the most expensive French movie yet made, Hussar on the Roof (176 million French francs). Its author, Jean Paul Rappaneau, said at a Prague press conference that this adaptation of Stendahl fulfilled his dreams and wishes. Michaela Vysoudilova, Darina Coufalova/Katerina Zachovalova Best of 1995 Czech Sport Photography in National Museum The 20th annual exhibit of the best 100 sports photographs of the past year opened with a celebration in Prague's National Museum March 1. The main award was taken home by Jiri Turek for his baseball photography. "It is a paradox that I won. I do not really get to photograph sport very often, which bothers me a little," Turek said. Second place among the 21 participants went to Michal Dolezal, of the CTK press agency and Vaclav Novak of the sensationalist daily Expres took third. A special prize from Nikon was won by Martin Svoboda of Soccer (Fotbal) magazine and the special Kodak company prize was taken by Martin Ruzicka of MAFA. The exhibition is sponsored by the Club of Sports Journalists' photography section. Jakub Konecny/Katerina Zachovalova SPORT Three Silver Medals for Czechs in Stockholm Three Czech athletes - Kasparkova, Suchovska and Dvorak - brought silver medals from the European Indoor Athletic Championship in Stockholm March 8-10. Sarka Kasparkova missed beating Bulgarian champion Prandzehva by 4 centimeters/about 2 inches in the women's triple jump. Decathlonist Tomas Dvorak led till the fifth round of the seven-round indoor competition composed of decathlon events. Erika Suchovska was second in the 200-meter dash, late by only .01 of a second. The 800-meter runner Ludmila Formanova and 1,500-meter runner Lukas Vydra unexpectedly finished fourth in their events. On the other hand, the sixth-place finish of pole vaulter and European record-holder Daniela Bartova was a disappointment. Karel Bartek/Milan Smid Czech Junior Soccer Team Loses EC Quarterfinal in Spain The Czech national junior soccer team lost its first game with Spain in the quarterfinal of the European Soccer Junior Championship, which is simultaneously a qualification for the soccer tournament in the summer's Olympic Games in Atlanta. However, the Czech players performed well in Granada and the 1-2 final score retains hope for the return match in Prague. Jiri Trunecka/Milan Smid Jablonec and Slavia Still Undefeated in the Spring Soccer League Results of the 19th round: Zizkov - Slavia 1-3, Cheb - Hradec Kralove 0-2, Zlin - Olomouc 0-0, Plzen - Uherske Hradiste 1-1, Ceske Budejovice - Brno 0-0. Jablonec Ostrava 3-0, Sparta - Drnovice 2-1, Opava - Liberec postponed. Standings after 19 rounds (6 matches still unplayed): 1. Slavia 40 (-1); 2. Jablonec 35; 3. Sparta 32; 4. Drnovice 32; 5. Olomouc 31 (-1); 6. Plzen 28; 7. Liberec 27 (-3); 8. Opava 27 (-1); 9. Zizkov 25 (-1); 10. Ceske Budejovice 25; 11. Cheb 24; 12. Banik Ostrava 19 (-1); 13. Boby Brno 19 (-2); 14. Hradec Kralove 15; 15. Uherske Hradiste 13; 16. Zlin 12 (-2). David Sprincl/Milan Smid 1994 Champion in Hockey Extraleague Final Last year's champion, Vsetin, needed only four games to beat Ceske Budejovice and to became the first finalist of this year's hockey extraleague. The second semifinal duel, Sparta - Litvinov, is still undecided, at 2-2 in the best-of-seven series. Results: Vsetin - Ceske Budejovice 4-0, 5-2, 3-2, 4-1 (4-0), Sparta - Litvinov 4-1, 4-6, 1-4, 5-0 (2-2). Jan Palicka/Milan Smid WEATHER Although it seemed that spring was on its way, the beginning of the week brought a not very pleasant surprise. Lots of snow and a morning temperature around minus 5 degrees Celsius/23 degrees Fahrenheit proved that this year's long winter season continues. Because of the intransigent Ice Queen, not only were many soccer games canceled, but car accidents are also multiplying. Maybe only skiers and snowman makers can appreciate this kind of weather. Jan Palicka/Petra Sevcikova ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO'S WHO IN CAROLINA (Part Three) I come from a family of all women. The last man to run away from us was my grandpa, and we did not hear from him for 25 years. If you meet Antonin Schira anywhere, let him at least read this message of mine. I am a university student (Journalism, English, Spanish), 20 years old, uninteresting measurements (but blonde!), I like to take photographs, climb mountains and I am planning a trip to South America. So, grandpa, am I not at least a little bit like you? Klara Schirova Behind a nonet of mountains and rivers lies the little town of Stod, which will one day appear in history books because 18 years ago I was born there. My name is Bara but they call me many things: Mother: Baruskohowcomeyou'renotstudyingagainanddoingnothing whatwillbecomeofyou, unluckychild; Father:Don'tbestupid,daughter; Sisters: Giveusthesweater youditzanddon'tgiveusanyliporyou'llsee. We also have a dog, and he is the best because he stays quiet. My friends think I am an animal and not even the renowned high school in Klatovy helped me, so they call me Puppy. Now I am trying to change by studying journalism, but it probably won't do anything. Barbora Spevakova On the 26th of July, 1977, I had no idea how many funny and less funny situations would be caused by my unusual first name Livia. I completed high school in my birthplace of Prague. A large part of my life is connected to an interest for North American Indians. My high school project was done on the Iroquois, thanks to which I was accepted to my major - ethnology - at the College of Humanities (Filozoficka Fakulta) at Charles University. I am studying French and English. I like skiing and have temporarily taken off from my favorite sport - riding horses. I feel best in the forest. Na-ho. Livia Savelkova When I was six, the regulars at my parents' bar poured griotto on me, without my father knowing, and my mother caringly touched my forehead and said, "This girl is coming down with something." Then she gave me bread spread with lard and covered with onions, tea from indestructible pub glasses is the most marvelous tea in the world, the atmoshere of pubs has captivated me since childhood, on the theater stages of Ceske Budejovice and Pribram I preferred to play fallen women, I play a blues on the piano and the conservatory is trying to make from my jazz singer in a Harlem after-hours bar voice an operatic miracle. I took my credo from my uncle, who works as a head librarian, has many university degrees and mistresses and he looks like the little girl puppet Manicka: "That which does not kill me strengthens me." Marketa Skodova I was born under the sign of Taurus in 1975 in Jindrichuv Hradec, one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic. Here I also caught the scent of journalism for the first time. Before I succeeded in getting accepted to journalism on my (believe it) third try, I managed to complete two years at the University of Economics there and work up to the position of chief editor of the social-cultural monthly magazine Golden Rose. Because most of the magazine is feature articles, while sport has almost no space, I decided to write for Carolina, specifically sports. Otherwise I am quite normal. I listen to Aerosmith and everything they put out. For the last two years I have been perfectly happy (almost everybody says that perfect happiness does not exist, but at 21 I don't believe everything). So that's probably everything I didn't want to tell you. Love each other and read Carolina! David Sprincl Because my studies of English at the School of Education (Pedagogicka Fakulta) of Charles University did not fulfill my wishes to harmonize my studies at least a little bit with my boyfriend's profession, I have found myself here at the age of 21. The only thing that causes me more worries than school is taking care of my home, which we share with our daugter Elsa. She, although she tries to eat with silverware and sleeps in a crib, the first impression she gives is of a dog, specifically a dachshund. I also have parents and a 15-year-old brother who goes to high school, paints and plays tennis. I like small theaters and hate Christmas. Alice Ticha I am still 18, I am one year ahead in everything and in any given group usually the youngest. I live in a small town 40 km/25 miles away from Prague, Benesov, and I am a commuter student. I am a Christian, half a year ago I got married of my own volition and I consider my life's occupation to be music. I compose, play piano and guitar, and produce my music together with my wife - we both sing. I write for the musical magazine Muzikus, something like the foreign magazines Sound Check, Keyboards, Drums and Percussion and Guitar Player in one. Somehow I am making my way through this school, journalism major, although I don't see my future in journalism, except for the above-mentioned magazines and similar periodicals. I would like to meet and play with many musicians, most of all with Mike Oldfield. Jaromir Vicari WHO'S WHO translated by Petra Sevcikova English version edited by Michael Bluhm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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!