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 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 200, Friday, April 26, 1996. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 17-24) Havel Finishes Baltic Trip President Vaclav Havel set out April 17 on a two-day official visit to Lithuania. After receiving an honorary doctorate at the University of Vilnius, the president gave a speech about relations between the West and eastern European countries. He also met with the Lithuanian President Algirdaus Brazauskas and former president Vitautas Landsbergis. Minister of Industry and Trade Vladimir Dlouhy, who accompanied the president on his trip to the Baltics, signed a memorandum prefiguring a bilateral free-trade agreement to be signed this year, Dlouhy said. Havel visited Kaunas April 18, the second largest city in Lithuania. He left for Tallin, Estonia, that evening, where a treaty establishing a free-trade zone was signed by the Czech Republic and Estonia. The president and the delegation, including a group of 20 businessmen, returned to the Czech Republic April 20. Petra Rubesova, Zora Kasikova/Petra Rubesova Head of Chinese Diplomacy Visits Prague Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Qien Qi-Qen came for a three-day official visit to Prague April 20. He and Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Josef Zieleniec met to discuss the possibility of more progressive bilateral trade, which came to 230 million USD in 1995. Qien talked with Minister of Industry and Trade Vladimir Dlouhy the same day, and in the evening met Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus in Prerov, in Northern Moravia. Czech President Vaclav Havel welcomed the Chinese minister April 22. Havel was concerned with the fates of Chinese dissidents, human rights violations and also declared support for Chinese dialogue with the Tibetan Dalai Lama. In response to human rights questions, Qien responded that the solution begins in dialogue, not in confrontation. Qien's visit was accompanied by a demonstration of about 50 people in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, protesting against human rights violations in China. Natasa Hajkova/Petra Rubesova Parliament Rejects Czech-Slovak Border Change In spite of the governing coalition's parliamentary majority overcoming strong opposition and approving April 23 the Czech-Slovak border treaty, the border is not moving, for now. The Constitutional amendment tied to the treaty was rejected by Parliament the following day; a consititutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority (120 of 200 deputies), and the coalition's 112 deputies did not suffice. The opposition did not support the law because of its conviction that the treaty will deprive some citizens of their native country. The treaty's most sensitive point is the Moravian village U Sabotu, which is supposed to become a part of Slovakia in spite of the fact that 38 out of 120 village residents have Czech nationality. Barbora Spevakova/Petra Rubesova Latest Results of Voter Preference The newest polls conducted by the Public Opinion Research Institute (IVVM) and the Center for Empirical Research (STEM) have confirmed that the most voter support belongs to the strongest governing party: the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). IVVM reports that 25 per cent of voters, and STEM 27 per cent, will vote for ODS. The strongest opposition party, the Czech Social Democratic Party, follows with 16 per cent (IVVM) and 21 per cent (STEM). The polls see four other parties, with similar levels of support, having a chance to make it into the next Parliament. 7 to 9 per cent of voters will probably vote for the Civic Democratic Alliance, 9 or 8 per cent have said that they will vote for the Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party; the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia should receive 6 to 8 per cent of votes and the far-right Association for the Republic-Republican Party of Czechoslovakia is favored by 5 to 7 per cent of voters. IVVM polls have shown a stable gap beteween ODS and the Social Democrats in the past few months. However, STEM shows that ODS's lead has decreased by 6 per cent. Jaromir Vicari/Andrea Snyder Moravia's Most Beautiful Girl Becomes Miss Czech Republic Petra Minarova, an 18-year-old student from Olomouc, became this year's Miss Czech Republic April 20 in Plzen. Iva Kubelkova, an 18-year-old student from Prague, was elected Vice-Miss. Zdenka Zadrazilova took third and won Miss Congeniality. The girls absolved the traditional competition combination: interview with the host, fashion show, talent competition and the swimsuit competition. Minarova will be flown to the Bahamas to represent the Czech Republic in Miss World, Iva Kubelkova will compete in Miss Europe and Zdenka Zadrazilova will participate in the Miss International competition in Japan. Isar A.W./Andrea Snyder Czechs Call Economic Development Biggest Problem Seventeen per cent of Czechs say the development of the economy is the most important problem in society today, reports an April poll conducted by the Center for Empirical Research (STEM). Sixteen per cent of those polled say social policy and crime are the biggest problems. The healthcare system has moved up on the public's list of problem priorities, from 5 per cent in 1995 to 14 per cent this year. The reason for the increase in interest is increased media coverage of the area, and is thus evaluated by the public as problematic. Of those who said healthcare represents the most pressing crisis, 24 per cent also said they believe the ruling Civic Democratic Party offers the best answers to the problem. The party has occupied the Health Ministry since taking office, having shuffled three minsters in four years. Lucie Chytrackova/Andrea Snyder Earth Day in Prague In the past few years, Czech cities have been encountering more and more various celebrations of Earth Day. Prague's "summer" weekend, April 20-1, saw a number of festivities. The Tereza Association prepared entertainment for children and adults in Prokop Valley, where children were able to try their hand at papermaking or creating wooden toys. The Social Cultural Center in Prague's Dejvice neighborhood prepared a music festival with rock concerts and and groups playing "ethnic" music. The Children of the Earth held a concert in the Belmondo rock club, where those "arriving on wheels" - skateboards, roller-skates and scooters - got in for free. The environmental group the Green Circle planted a tree during its "happening". The demonstration in front of the Ministry of Transportation was more serious, protesting Prague's transport policy. Katerina Zachovalova/Andrea Snyder Interest to Study at Charles University Greater Than Last Year About 43,000 individuals applied to Charles University this year, representing 8,275 more applications than last year. The largest number of applications (8,188) was received by the College of Humanities (Filozoficka fakulta), which also charges the highest application fee - 450 crowns. About 1,000 hopefuls will be accepted to the college. The College of Education (Pedagogicka Fakulta), with 7,261 applications, piled up the second highest stack of applications. It will accept 1,200 applicants. The Law School, which received 6,430 applications, will accept probably the same number of people as last year - 500. The Faculty of Social Sciences recorded 4,397 applications. The baccalaureate study of economics, with 1,423 applications, is the most popular discipline, followed by journalism (1,305 applications), international territorial studies (703), sociology (383) and political science (264). Livia Savelkova/Katerina Zachovalova Economics University Applications This year 9,796 people are interested in studying at Economics University (VSE) in Prague, while about 2,500 applicants will be accepted after succeeding on entrance exams in mathematics and a foreign language. The marketing and international relations departments received the largest number of applications (2,505 and 1,878, respectively). The Department of Information Studies and Statistics recorded the lowest interest (1,080 applications). The toughest entrance testing will be at the Department of Finance and Accounting, which has the highest rate of applicants to those accepted - 5.8 to 1. Marketa Hudkova/Katerina Zachovalova Patient with Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease Probably in Olomouc The neurology clinic of Olomouc's University Hospital registered a 40-year-old man probably suffering from Creutzfeld-Jacob disease, which has recently been often connected to England's mad cow disease. This information was published by the local newspaper Hanacke noviny April 20. Doctors admit the possibility the man could have become infected from eating beef or mutton. According to the State Veterinary Administration this disease has not appeared in the Czech Republic since 1993. The incurable Creutzfeld-Jacob disease, which can be transmitted by cows and sheep and has as a symptom serious mental collapse, is very difficult to diagnose. Jiri Ruprich, head of Brno's Food Chain Hygiene Center of the State Health Institute in Prague, stated there has not been a case of this disease recorded here in recent years. Michaela Vysoudilova/Katerina Zachovalova ECONOMY/BUSINESS COOP Bank under Forced Administration Brno's COOP Bank went under forced administration April 23, set by the Czech National Bank (CNB). It is the sixth bank in the Czech Republic placed under forced administration by the CNB. Bank customers, however, need not worry about losing their savings, because the CNB has offered COOP Bank a sufficiently large cover loan. "There is no need to close branches and freeze deposits," said Martin Svehla, CNB spokesman to Czech daily MF DNES April 23. Tens of thousands of shareholders will be affected, because the CNB decided to punish the poor management of the Brno bank with a drastic decrease of its basic capital. Today's 500 million crowns should decrease to 1 million, thus the share price will dive 500 times lower. The CNB proceeded similarly with Ekoagrobanka in Usti nad Labem, decreasing the bank's basic capital from 600 million crowns to 1.2 million. None of the first four banks placed under forced administration (Credit and Industry Bank, Bohemia Bank, AB Bank and Czech Bank) has survived. Karel Bartek/Petra Sevcikova Commerce Bank Submits Bankruptcy Proposal for Bohemia Art Commerce Bank recently submitted to the Regional Trade Court in Prague bankruptcy papers for Vladimir Stehlik's firm Bohemia Art, the majority owner of Poldi Ocel steelworks. The company did not pay 50 million crowns due to the bank by March 31, and the firm's request to delay payment by a month (submitted in an open letter) was refused by bank General Director Richard Salzmann. Commerce Bank provided Stehlik with an 850-million-crown loan to privatize Poldi. Stehlik said it is foremost a question of political interest to get Poldi Ocel under the state control again. Matej Husek/Petra Sevcikova Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from April 26) country currency ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 21.807 Belgium 100 BEF 88.399 Great Britain 1 GBP 41.962 Denmark 1 DKK 4.713 Finland 1 FIM 5.747 France 1 FRF 5.381 Ireland 1 IEP 43.246 Italy 1000 ITL 17.853 Japan 100 JPY 25.950 Canada 1 CAD 20.331 Luxemburg 100 LUF 88.399 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.229 Norway 1 NOK 4.234 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.943 Portugal 100 PTE 17.773 Austria 1 ATS 2.584 Greece 100 GRD 11.432 Slovakia 100 SKK 90.360 Germany 1 DEM 18.160 Spain 100 ESP 21.932 Sweden 1 SEK 4.107 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.475 USA 1 USD 27.757 ECU 1 XEU 34.218 SDR 1 XDR 40.153 CULTURE FINALE for Czech Film, Czech Film in FINALE The ceremonial announcement of award-winners ended the FINALE 1996 Festival of Czech Film March 19 in Pilsen (Plzen). From 17 movies made since last April and shown at the festival, the festival's four prizes were taken by two films. A special committee chaired by actress Iva Janzurova gave the Golden Penguin top prize to the movie Golet in the Valley (Golet v Udoli), the Spectator's Award went to director Karel Kachyna's Fany. Readers of CINEMA magazine and readers of Pilsen's daily paper chose best actor and actress.In the men's category, the award was given to Ondrej Vetchy for his role in Golet. In the woman's category, the prize, for the role of Fany, went to Jirina Bohdalova. In spite of the successful, ninth-annual festival, the interest of spectators and producers, and overall stable financial backing, the festival, which is the largest festival of domestic film, will have to seriously reconsider its further existence. The problem lies in the financial difficulties of the operator of Pilsen's moviehouses, the company Filmcentrum. Because the privatization contract between the Fund of National Property and Filmcentrum does not include any specific mention of further theater operations or rights for the fund, there are serious talks of closing down cinemas in Pilsen operated by Filmcentrum. That would not only make it impossible to continue the festival, but it would also mean that in a city of 170,000 inhabitants would remain one movie theater, which itself falls short on capacity and technology. However, as Pilsen mayor Zdenek Prosek said, "cinemas in Pilsen will stay, even if City Hall has to build them again." Michal Kubal/Petra Sevcikova Influential People on Premiera TV On April 24 the new documentary series V.I.P. - Influential People began with a portrait of Milan Uhde, chairman of parliament and a former dissident, on the private network Premiera TV. Its producer is the independent TV company FEBIO, while the firm Christian V.I.P. is taking part as well. The cycle is connected to the similar GEN - 100 Czechs of Today and GENUS - 99 Czech lives, which is showing on Czech Television. Its realization should complete original plan of FEBIO (which began with GEN), "to compose and complete an audiovisual fresco about our age and its people, about our society and its potential at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the third millenium." The V.I.P. cycle will introduce personalities who have real power in their hands, through which they influence society. It thus particularly features entrepreneurs and prominent politicians. In the first editions, viewers will see Petr Karas, general director of Czech Energy; Jan Ruml, interior minister and a former dissident; and Dagmar Lastovecka, the mayor of Brno (each part lasts 10 minutes). The cycle also represents a big opportunity for about 80 Czech directors. Matej Bartosek/Jitka Motejzikova Exhibition of Jindrich Streit's Photographs in Prague An exhibit of Czech photographer Jindrich Streit's work, called People of Olomouc County, premiered in Prague's Archa Theater April 22. Profesor Josef Jarab, rector of Olomouc's Palacky University, delivered the opening remarks. A performance on the flute by the artist's daughter Monika enlivened the opening. Olomuc's traditional curds were stylishly served. Livia Klausova, the prime minister's Slovak spouse, attended the debut. "Some time ago I had seen Streit's book of photographs which interested me so, that I accepted the invitation for this opening. I very much like his pictures, they are simply about us," she said for Carolina. Streit (b. 1946), who lives and works in Sovinec, a village of 28 residents, concentrates on capturing everyday life. His photographs were published at dozens of exhibitions at home and abroad, and are represented in many world collections. The photographs shown in Archa were taken in 1993-4. Darina Coufalova, Michaela Vysoudilova/Jitka Motejzikova Czech-German Culture Program in Prague From April 18-28 Prague is hosting the Czech-German cultural program Marionettes in action (Loutky v akci). The Goethe Institute has organized an exhibit of wooden marionettes by Michaela Bartonova and Antonin Muller, lectures about the new theater trends in Germany as well as interwievs with Czech and German artists. The Dejvice Theater, recent recipients of an embarrassment of 1995 theater-award riches, is performing Spoonriver Anthology (adapted from E.L. Masters' book), while their guests, the Salz und Pfeffer Theater from Nuremberg, is performing Farmer Giles from Ham (freely adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien). Lucie Dvorakova/Petra Sevcikova SPORT Excellent Entrance of Czech Hockey Players at World Championship In the first two games at the World Championships, the Czechs beat two of last year's finalists - Sweden and Finland. Goalies Turek and Ahl capably handled the first two periods of the Swedish-Czech game, not letting anything pass them by. In the final period, the Swedes placed the first goal, which only spurred the Czechs on to a 3-1 victory. After one day of rest, the Czechs met the Finns on the ice. After winning the first two, the Czechs tied the last period. Final scores: Czech Republic - Sweden: 3-1 (0-0, 0-0, 3-1) Goals: Reichel, Prochazka, Ujcik - Sjodin Czech Republic - Finland: 4-2 (1-0, 2-1, 1-1) Goals: Lang, Kaberle, Ujcik, Kucera - Rihijarvi, Selanne Czech Republic - Norway: 2-2 (after deadline) Adam Kotalik/Andrea Snyder Slavia Shakes Competition Off In the 25th round, Slavia faced the weakest team in the league, Uherske Hradiste. Still, Slavia was weakened by an injury to one of its best players, Lubos Kozel. Slavia was victorious, and the Slavia's two closest competitors, Olomouc and Drnovice, lost, respectively in Pilsen (Plzen) and Olomouc. Results: Sparta - Opava 1-1, Uherske Hradiste - Slavia 0-2, Plzen - Olomouc 2-0, Ceske Budejovice - Liberec 0-0, Drnovice - Brno 2-3, Cheb - Zizkov 2-2, Ostrava - Hradec 2-0, Jablonec - Zlin 1-0 Standings after 25 rounds (3 matches still unplayed): 1. Slavia 55 (-1); 2. Olomouc 49; 3. Drnovice 45; 4. Jablonec 44 (-1); 5. Sparta 40; 6. Opava 37; 7. Liberec 34 (-1); 8. Plzen 33 (-1); 9. Zizkov 32; 10. Ceske Budejovice 32; 11. Boby Brno 31 (-1); 12. Ostrava 29 (-1); 13. Cheb 29; 14. Hradec Kralove 22; 15. Zlin 18; 16. Uherske Hradiste 13. David Sprincl/Andrea Snyder Czech Republic not Dazzling, but Sufficient The Czech team beat the Irish 2-0 in a friendly game April 24 at Strahov Stadium, with 6,000 spectators present. The first half of the last home prep game before the Czechs head off for the World Championships in England was not too hot. Kuka and Drulak's combinations were lamely lucky, while the Irishmen used simpler plays, which worked better, although even they could not score any goals, either. In the second half Kadlec and Nemecek were replaced by Kubik and Bejbal. The game got better, and goals were scored. Kuka passed the ball to Frydek, who scored on an empty net. Kuka scored the second, as well, getting past the Irish goalie. Nedved, Rada and Kerbr earned a place on the starting line in England. It was nice to win, but the playing (especially in the first half) would probably not have been enough to beat stronger competition, which will await the Czech team in England. Basic squad: Kouba - Repka, Kadlec, Hornak - Latal, Frydek, Gerger, Nemecek, Hapal, - Kuka, Drulak. Karel Bartek/Andrea Snyder WEATHER During the week the winter weather almost changed into summer. In the mountains snow is melting, at lower altitudes temperatures rose on the weekend and first two days of this week to 25 degrees Celsius/77 degrees Fahrenheit. The record at Prague's Clementinum for April 23 (set in 1968) of 28.5 degrees Celsius/83 degrees Fahrenheit was broken. All the trees have broken out in green, violets, daffodils, tulips and other fragrant flowers are blooming and people have maybe definitively left their coats and sweaters behind. Jitka Hejtmanova, Petra Mrzena/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. 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