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 224, Friday, November 22, 1996. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 13-20) ODS Takes First Round The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) was the clear winner in the first round of Senate elections November 15-6. Of the original 80 ODS candidates, 76 moved on to the run-off elections of November 22-3. It is also necessary to add that three ODS garnered the necessary 50 per cent of first vote and are thus already senators - these include former Prague mayor Milan Kondr, current Mayor Jan Koukal and Deputy to the Interior Minister Vladimir Zeman. Jan Zahradnicek now holds a Senate seat in Brno, though speculations are, however, that the victory of Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak Peoples' Party (KDU-CSL) member Zahradnicek was in part due to ODS removing their candidate from the ballot shortly before the election. Although the Czech Social Democratic Party is the strongest of the opposition parties, only 48 of their 79 candidates made it to the final round. Seventeen KDU-CSL members, seven for the Civic Democratic Alliance candidates, four Communists, one from the Democratic Union and one independent also enter the second round. Candidates who did not pass into the next round of Senate elections include post-1989 Foreign Minister Jiri Dienstbier, former defense minister Antonin Baudys, Communist actress Helena Ruzickova and sexologist Radim Uzel. The 81-chair Senate is Parliament's second chamber, with an age minimum for senators of 40. Unlike Parliament elections, Senate elections are conducted through public voting in two rounds. If one candidate does not win in the first round with a simple majority, the two candidates with the most votes pass into the second round. Total results of the 81 districts may be found at http://www.volby.cz. David Simonek/Andrea Snyder Voters Down by Third Only 35.3 per cent of registered voters turned out at the polls at the first round of Senate elections November 15-6. The highest rate was 50 per cent in Prague 1, the lowest at 20 per cent in Chomutov. In 1990, 97 per cent of the voting population turned out for Parliament elections, 85 per cent in 1992, and this spring only 76 per cent. Even the blackest forecasts predicted at least 60 per cent voter participation. Political scientists explain that with the second elections of the year people are not convinced about the importance of a Senate and have been disappointed by politicians. Fascist Republican Chairman Miroslav Sladek could call the 30 per cent rate a victory. His party did not run in the elections and he publicly asked supporters not to vote. Greater voter participation is expected in round two, because of the threat of ODS hegemony in the Senate. Although voters are not happy with the creation of a new parliamentary chamber, the voting law does not set a limit beneath which the election results would be invalid. David Simonek/Andrea Snyder Klaus Telephone Calls Subject to Criticism Jan Kalvoda and Josef Lux, leaders of coalition parties Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) and Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-CSL) respectively, consider phone calls from ODS Chairman and Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus to unsuccessful ODA and KDU-CSL Senate candidates about their possible support of the ODS candidate in the second round of the Senate elections a violation of political principle and an attempt to influence the internal affairs of other political parties. Klaus rejected the accusation, referring to the fact that the approached candidates took the phone calls as merely a discussion or a fact-finding conversation than as any attempt to influence their positions. The day after the first round of the Senate elections, Klaus invited both coalition leaders to lunch and proposed a joint declaration about central support for ODS candidates in election districts where they face Social Democrat or Communist rivals. Lux and Kalvoda rejected this proposal as unthinkable, though they will not rule out possible cooperation on the local level. One of the reasons why Lux and Kalvoda refused to demonstrate publicly the coalition unity which could secure ODS second-round success lies in the fact that some ODA and KDU-CSL candidates are in the run-off against an ODS rival, and thus centrally declared support of ODS could diminish their chances of gaining support from other electoral segments. Miroslav Grebenicek, chairman of the Communist Party, has confirmed that he will call on Communist voters to support the Social Democrat ballot in the second round. Milos Zeman, chairman of the Social Democrats, avoided a specific statement pertaining the issue of cooperation with the Communist Party, though he strongly rejected any support for any ODS candidate. When asked about ODS position in the Karvina district, where Communist and Social Democratic candidates are left, Klaus produced a similarly vague statement, indirectly calling for abstaining from the election in that district. Jan Majer/Milan Smid November 17 Anniversary in Shade of Senate Elections Because of the Senate elections, the public and media almost ignored the six-year anniversary November 17 of the 1989 so-called Velvet Revolution. Political leaders celebrated the events of year 1989, but the front pages of the main Czech dailies did not pay any attention to them. Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, representatives of the two smaller coalition parties (Jan Kalvoda and Josef Lux), Prague Mayor Jan Koukal and a Social Democrat delegation led by Chairman Milos Zeman put flowers under the memorial plaque located at the place where peacefully demonstrating students were cruelly beaten by state forces November 17, 1989. President Vaclav Havel, who was ill, was represented by head of the Czech Republic President Office Ivan Medek. Ondra Provaznik/Katerina Zachovalova President's Illness Delays Ukraine Visit and Meeting with Zeman President Vaclav Havel, suffering from pneumonia after the first round of the Senate elections, had to cancel his visit of Ukraine planned for November 19. Havel's illness also caused the cancellation of his meeting with Milos Zeman, Chairman of Social Democrats, announced for the last week of November. Zeman wanted to inform the president about politicians being shadowed by the Security and Information Service and the Ministry of the Interiors (see Carolina 223). Jakub Prochazka/Katerina Zachovalova Zeman's Statements Could Cost Social Democrats 5 Million Crowns Former Security and Information Service (BIS) chief Stanislav Devaty filed a suit against the Czech Social Democratic Party November 14, because of Chairman Milos Zeman's statements. Devaty is asking for 5 million crowns, because the leader of the most powerful opposition party, accused the BIS of attempting to follow and discredit some opposition and coalition politicians. According to Zeman, the BIS tried to establish special operative units for these activities (see Carolina 223). Devaty rejected this accusation, and said he considers Zeman's words an attempt to accuse him of establishing a police state. He thinks his broken reputation can be recovered only by bringing this case to court. Zeman argues that he can prove his accusations with a 50-page document. Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, responding on November 17's post-election debate on Czech Television, said there must be a small secret police service owned by the Social Democrats if Zeman has a 50-page document on the BIS. Of course, Zeman categorically denied it. Matej Cerny/Katerina Zachovalova Republican Chairman Miroslav Sladek Charged by Chamber of Deputies According to Parliament's Mandate and Immunity Committee, Chairman of the neo-Fascist Association for the Republic-Republican Party of Czechoslovakia Miroslav Sladek will have to pay a penalty in the amount of 43,700 crowns for his statement regarding Romanies (Gypsies), which angered deputies and the public during a June Parliament session. In connection with a debate about lowering the age of criminal responsibility, Sladek then said, quoting an unnamed citizen, that Romany children should be criminally liable from birth, because their birth is their biggest crime. The Republican chairman will become the first deputy charged for his behavior in Parliament and the amount, equal to one month's salary, is the highest possible penalty which could be given by the committee. Sladek has the possibility to appeal the punishment within 15 days. In this case the penalty will be discussed by the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament. Ondra Provaznik/Katerina Zachovalova Smog Regulation of Traffic in Prague Brings Collapse The smog regulation proclaimed by the Prague City Hall November 13 from 6 a.m. till 2 p.m. brought only collapse, as police and drivers said. The regulation should have aided the smog situation in downtown Prague. No car could enter the downtown and the drivers got stuck in several-kilometer-long lines in the suburbs. Health officials admitted that the regulation went only towards worsening the air in the suburbs of Prague. Prague Mayor Jan Koukal blames the mass media for the collapse because they did not inform the public. The media and the police accused City Hall in return, saying they were not appropriately acquainted with the decision in advance. Czech Television and the Czech Press Agency did not receive any fax information about it. People also needed several hours to get to work November 20. Most of them knew nothing about the regulation. In the traffic jam a very stressful atmosphere ruled. "I was driving from Bohnice (a Prague suburb) shortly after 6 a.m. and I thought it was some kind of training. I had passed all the barriers when the police stopped me. Then I thought it was serious," said one of the upset drivers to daily MF DNES. Also the Emergency Service had problems with the regulation and policemen said they have never been verbally attacked as often as that day. Marketa Kropacova/Magdalena Vanova If Bosnia Mission Continues, Soldiers Will Get Four Helicopters If NATO asks Czech IFOR troops to continue their mission in Bosnia through the next year, and if Parliament accepts this request, widespread changes will take place in the unit, said top Defense Ministry officials to daily MF DNES November 14. The troops, which number 1,000 soldiers, should be reduced to 700 men and become equipped with updated weapons. The unit might then be strengthened with four Mi-24 combat helicopters. David Vlk/Magdalena Vanova Two Pilots Die in Army Airplane Crash Two Czech army pilots died in the crash of an Russian-made army MiG-23 airplane, which malfunctioned for unknown reasons near the village Heralec November 19. It is the second crash in November, and the fourth this year (see Carolina 222). According to the words of Czech pilots, the old planes really are unsafe and the army does not have enough money for maintenance. One Czech officer told daily MF DNES: "The Ministry of Defense doesn't take our warning seriously that the absence of money for spare parts, repairs and also fuel can lead to a series of disasters." Jakub Prochazka/Zuzana Kawaciukova Tragedy on Nile River A Nile River tour boat, The Princess Dzihani, sank near the Egyptian town of Idfu on the evening of November 14 with 61 Czech tourists on board. The boat ran aground in a strong storm and capsized onto one side. The majority of passengers escaped but four Czechs, two Slovaks and one Pole died in the accident. There are three Czechs, four Slovaks and six Egyptians missing. Disengagement work is taking place at the disaster site without interruption, because the boat is two-thirds under water. Thirty-seven surviving Czech tourists arrived in Prague during the weekend, together with four slightly injured people. They commended the work of the Czech consulate and travel agencies, which found them food, clothing and a way home. Karolina Cebrovska/Zuzana Kawaciukova FROM SLOVAKIA Government Snatches Away Press Accreditation The Office of the Slovak Government took press accreditation away from four of seven journalists who allegedly learned at a meeting with President Michal Kovac that Premier Vladimir Meciar is in ill health. Slovak newspapers reported the story November 20. The Premier accused the president of spreading false information about Meciar's health, saying that at least three journalists had proof of the opposite. Not one of the seven journalists supported Meciar's statements, instead implicating the premier of spreading false statements. Dusan Valek of TV Markiza, Ales Kratky of the daily Novy cas, Martin Krn of the daily Pravda and Karol Lovas of Radio Twist had their accreditations revoked. The other three did not have press accreditation. Government spokeswoman Ludmila Bulakova said the publications and stations had not been discredited, just the journalists themselves, with whom the government has not had good experiences. Novy cas, the most-read daily in Slovakia, intends after these events to return its accreditation also for commentator Peter Skorna. Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder Slovaks Demonstrate November 17 in Slovakia celebrations reminded observers of the 1989 revolution they were commemorating. Slovak citizens expressed their discontent with their government in at least 20 places. The largest demonstrations were held in Bratislava, Zilina, Kosice and Prievidza. Slogans like "V. Meciar and I. Lexa - the two biggest and malignant tumors on the body of Slovakia" and "Even a compass already knows we want to go into NATO!" were waved on signs and shouted. Demonstrations began November 7, when university students began to protest the university law under preparation, which, among other things, would divide Kosice's P.J. Safarik University (see Carolina 223). About 10,000 people were estimated to have attended the largest demonstration November 14 with, except for the Democratic Left Party, opposition leaders in attendance. The Blue Coalition and the Let's Save Culture Forum organized the event, where representatives of the Hungarian Party marched side by side with the the Social Democrats. Even President Michal Kovac sent a telegram of support to the Let's Save Slovakia demonstration. Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF * The Slovak government November 13 approved the 1997 budget, which forecasts a 36.9 billion Slovak crown deficit. Total income is set for 170 billion crowns, and expenses for 206.9 billion crowns. * Director of the Slovak National Gallery Juraj Zary resigned November 15, in a statement of his disapproval for Culture Minister Ivan Hudec. The gallery is the second large cultural institution to speak out against the Ministry of Culture. * Finance Minister Sergej Kozlik denies that the Slovak Utilities Company is not paying its loan to the Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka). He says that all precisely identified loans have been paid. * The General Loan Bank (Vseobecna uverova banka), the largest bank in Slovakia, has shown a 1.31 billion Slovak crown loss for the last nine months. Jan Potucek/Andrea Snyder ECONOMY Skoda Octavia Places Internationally A council made up of 60 leading automotive writers awarded the Mlada Boleslav product, the Skoda Octavia, fourth place in the 1997 Car of the Year competition 1997. The French Renault Megan Scenic took first. Zdenek Janda/Andrea Snyder MARKETS AND COMPANIES * The index PX 50 finally noted, after a remarkably long decline, a turn for the better. At the beginning of this week, it rose to 499.9 points November 20. However, the initial enthusiasm gradually seems to have dissipated, the prices of a few significant stocks have already stopped increasing, some of them have even resumed their slide. Analysts are not able to determine if Senate elections are influencing the market volatility. * During the next week, an independent Securities Commission should be appointed to supervise primarily the transparency of the Czech capital market. The commission will be instituted by a special law which is now to be prepared and consulted, partly with foreign specialists. * The management of Zivnostenska banka is not satisfied with the economic results of the bank. September 30 the bank showed a gross return of 269 million crowns, which is less than the last year at the same time. Shareholders should still receive the promised dividend of 180 crowns per share. * Compared to the disappointed Zivnostenska bankers, the captains of the biggest Czech chemical company can be highly satisfied. During the first three quarters of this year, Chemopetrol Litvinov has made gross profits of 1.28 billion crowns at turnover of 12.4 billion crowns, which approximately corresponds to this year's plans. Oil-chemical products have covered 80 per cent of the turnover. * Funds administered by the Sporitelni investicni company have gained control of well-known hat factory TONAK in Novy Jicin, when they increased their share in the company to 77 per cent, buying it from other owners. Martin Cermak/Denisa Vitkova Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from November 22) country currency ------------------------------------------ Great Britain 1 GBP 44.889 France 1 FRF 5.257 Japan 100 JPY 23.890 Canada 1 CAD 19.928 Austria 1 ATS 2.529 Slovakia 100 SKK 86.949 Germany 1 DEM 17.797 Switzerland 1 CHF 21.066 USA 1 USD 26.661 ECU 1 XEU 34.200 SDR 1 XDR 38.958 CULTURE Luciano Pavarotti Will Sing In Prague On December 22 in Prague's Sportovni hala, the PropagArt Agency, in cooperation with the International Music Festival Prague Spring, will present a concert by one of the world's greatest singers, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Owners of the most highly priced tickets will be allowed into a welcome party before the concert and a gala reception after Pavarotti's performance, both in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle. The price of tickets is from 1,250 crowns to 5,750 crowns, VIP tickets cost 9,750 to 39,750 crown (the average wage in the Czech Republic is approximately 9,000 crowns per month). The basis of the artist's repertoire consists of opera arias of the old masters (Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Leoncavallo), which Pavarotti will perform in Prague as well. Petra Rubesova/Denisa Vitkova Prague Is Not Kafka and Werfel Only The exhibition running from November 13 to December 8 in Prague's Hollar Gallery tries to remind visitors that Prague was a place of culture confrontation in the past, and that among so-called Prague Germans, not only famous German-Jewish writers like Gustav Meyrink, Franz Kafka, Rainer M. Rilke and Paul Leppin, but also a generation of remarkable graphic artists was present. Hugo Steiner-Prag, the most popular of presented artists, became famous as the illustrator of Meyrink's book Golem. Friedrich Feigel illustrated Paul Leppin's novel Severin's Journey into the Dark, and the collection of his lithographs includes pictures from the life in Prague's Jewish ghetto. Egon Adler, whose work was influenced by Cubism and Italian futurism, is introduced by his collection of colored graphics called Old Prague. Other exhibited works are by traditionalist Carl Thiemann and Walther Klemm as well as Maxim Kopf and Julius Pfeifer, who impresses with his Gustav Klimt-like precision. Martin Cermak/Milan Smid Slovak Documentary Paper Heads Enters Cinemas The new film from Slovak director Dusan Hanak was named after the paper masks of Communist leaders used in a post-1989 happening in Bratislava. This theme symbolizes the whole documentary - a reflection on freedom and non-freedom, the relationship between citizens and power. Hanak created an interesting picture about Czechoslovak history with the help of French, German, Swiss and Czech co-producers. The Prague Film Academy graduate gained recognition with his films: I Love, You Love (Ja milujem, ty milujes), 322, Quiet Pleasure (Ticha radost'), Private Lives (Sukrome zivoty), Pink Dreams (Ruzove sny) and Pictures from the Old World (Obrazy stareho sveta). Paper Heads (Papierove hlavy) was also awarded at several festivals. Realistic confession sequences on Communist times, which went away not too long ago, are alternated with propaganda films from 1945-89, archive footage and often shocking stories of witnesses. Thus it still has something to say to Czech and Slovak viewers - it was not an accidental step to organize the gala premiere on November 17. Vit Bartek/Katerina Zachovalova SPORT Czech Soccer League Results of the 13th round (November 15-7): Slavia - Olomouc 3-0, Karvina - Sparta 1-2, Zizkov - Drnovice 0-1, Teplice - Liberec 1-2, Opava - Plzen 0-2, Jablonec - Ostrava 3-3, Hradec - Bohemians 1-0, Budejovice - Brno 2-1 Standings after the 13th round (not complete): 1. Liberec 25, 2. Drnovice 24, 3. Slavia 22, 4. Sparta 20, 5. Brno 20, 6. Budejovice 20, 7. Ostrava 19, 8. Jablonec (-1) 18, 9. Olomouc 18, 10. Opava 18, 11. Teplice 15, 12. Plzen 14, 13. Hradec Kralove 12, 14. Karvina 12, 15. Zizkov 9, 16. Bohemians (-1) 8. Czech Hockey Extraleague Results of the 20th round: Slavia - Trinec 6-3, Ceske Budejovice - Sparta 6-4, Vitkovice - Jihlava 6-3, Zlin - Olomouc 3-3, Pardubice - Opava 3-1, Litvinov - Plzen 4-4. Match Kladno - Vsetin postponed. Results of the 21st round: Sparta - Litvinov 8-1, Vsetin - Ceske Budejovice 2-2, Kladno - Jihlava 4-1, Trinec - Zlin 5-2, Opava - Slavia 2-4, Plzen - Pardubice 1-1, Olomouc - Vitkovice 1-2. Standings after the 21st round (not complete because of postponed Sparta matches - see Carolina 220) : 1. Vitkovice 28, 2. Vsetin (-1) 26, 3. Pardubice 26, 4. Trinec (-1) 25, 5. Budejovice 21, 6. Kladno (-1) 21, 7. Sparta (-4) 20, 8. Litvinov 20, 9. Slavia 19, 10. Zlin 18, 11. Plzen (-1) 18, 12 Opava (-1) 15, 13. Olomouc (-1) 14, 14. Jihlava 13. WEATHER The weather was untypicaly mild and fine until the editorial deadline November 20, but it is getting cold today (November 22), the day of Carolina distribution. Prague is still free from snow, but there is a white landscape in some places in the mountains. English version edited by Michael Bluhm xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ANNOUNCING: The International Study Program of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Beginning in February 1997, a one-semester English-language program will be offered twice a year in Central and Eastern European Studies, with a selection of courses in modern history and recent political and economic developments in the region. Some courses are also available in German. For further information contact Cyril Simsa at: E-mail-- svoz@mbox.fsv.cuni.cz Phone-- 42/2/2481 0804 Fax-- 42/2/2481 0987 When e-mailing, please include a regular mailing address so an information packet can be sent without delay. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. 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