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: (+4202) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+4202) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 240, Friday, March 28, 1997. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (March 19-26) Zantovsky New Chairman of Coalition Party ODA At the Civic Democratic Alliance's (ODA) weekend conference in Most March 22-23, Senator Michael Zantovsky was elected chairman. ODA senator's club chairman, President Vaclav Havel's former spokesman and former ambassador to the United States, Zantovsky, who became a member of ODA only two months ago, won on the first ballot, garnering 142 of 244 votes. Zantovsky, a psychologist by trade, also worked as a translator (his mother was also a translator, while he translated the works of Norman Mailer, James Baldwin, Woody Allen and Bob Dylan, among others) and songwriter, and was working as the Reuters news agency's Czech correspondent when communism fell in 1989. He was Havel's first spokesman, and the Czech media largely interpret his new post as a potentially very successful move by ODA to bring new life to the fading party. Among his rivals for the post, the most successful were Environment Minister Jiri Skalicky (41 votes) and Karel Ledvinka (34 votes). The conference also chose three of five party vice-chairmen: Skalicky, Minister without Portfolio Pavel Bratinka and Trade Minister Vladimir Dlouhy. The remaining two vice-chairmen will be elected by the ODA party congress in two weeks. The second highlight of the conference was the March 22 performance of outgoing Chairman Jan Kalvoda, who resigned after being uncovered as falsely using the title doctor of law. He took an unusually critical position towards the governing coalition's work, accusing the coalition of sloth, an unwillingness to continue the transformation aggressively and of minimizing its failures. However, he also admitted ODA, as a member of the coalition, was responsible for its failures as well. Jaroslav Schovanec/Denisa Vitkova Teplik Joins ODS, Opposition Loses Majority The balance of power between the goverment coalition and opposition parties in the Czech Republic's Chamber of Deputies became even after Tomas Teplik, expelled from the Social Democrats, joined the the parliamentary club of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) March 25. Coalition and opposition parties now each have 100 seats in Parliament's lower house. Coalition parties have managed to erase the two-vote advantage gained by the opposition in June's elections. ODS, the Civic Democratic Alliance and the Christian Democrats can also count on Josef Wagner's support, Wagner, like Teplik, was excommunicated from the Social Democrats for supporting the government's budget proposal at the end of last year (see Carolina 228). Stanislav Gross, chairman of the Social Democrats' parliamentary club, called Teplik's move treason to party voters. "I didn't leave the Social Democrats voluntarily, the Social Democrats gave up on me and I think it's my right to decide what I do next," said Teplik. Teplik, who voted for the first time with Parliament's biggest club March 25, in relation to the ombudsman issue, explained his choice by saying "ODS is the most open party." Jiri Fremuth/Sofia Karakeva Deputies Refuse CSSD's Proposal for Ombudsman Parliament's Chamber of Deputies voted down the Social Democrats' (CSSD) proposal for the establishment of a public defender of civil rights, an ombudsman. It was expected that the position would be established despite the ruling Civic Democratic Party's opposition, as they consider the post the meaningless growth of bureaucracy. The unexpected rejection of the proposal opened a rift between the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL). Christian Democrats had made their support conditional to certain limits in the ombudsman's rights, which the Social Democrats refused. Petra Buzkova, vice-chairwoman of the Social Democrats, believes her party will not submit the proposal again. "The proposal can be submitted only when the political atmosphere will be suitable for the proposal to be accepted," said Buzkova. According to the proposal she co-authored, the ombudsman was supposed to be established, according to an agreement with coalition-partner the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), by 1999. The wide-ranging authority of ombudsman, to whom citizens feeling mistreated by public institutions could turn to, would stem from his access to examine the files of public institutions. Of the Chamber's 200 deputies, 88 voted for the ombudsman, 79 were against it and 28 didn't vote. Representatives of each party voted as follows: ODS (0 for, 63 against, 5 abstained), ODA (7/3/2), KDU-CSL (4/4/10), CSSD (56/0/1), KSCM (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia) (20/0/1), Republicans (0/9/8), independents (1/0/1). Jiri Fremuth/Sofia Karakeva Defense Minister Finally Decides on Important Army Supplier The EDS-Digital Equipment consortium won the tender for to become the supplier of a staff information system (SIS) for the Czech army. Defense Minister Miloslav Vyborny announced the decision March 20. He decided for the consortium in spite of the selection commission's evaluation of the offer from Unisys as the best one. The SIS is of key importance for accepting the Czech Republic as a member of NATO. The commission called into question Vyborny's main argument - EDS' offer is almost 109 million crowns lower than the price of Unisys, which estimated costs at 1.4 billion crowns. In its final statement, the commission mentioned that EDS is offering 1,290 final stations less than their main competitor. "EDS-Digital has launched staff information systems in 14 NATO countries already, while Unisys has in only three and in Thailand," said Vyborny in defense of his decision to daily MF DNES. "It is not about quantity, but about quality. We can argue that we have supplied the CIA, FBI and the Pentagon with information systems, and other companies do not have such a position in these institutions," said Unisys representative Jiri Nykodym for the same daily. This was the second tender for the SIS in the last two years. The first tender was cancelled by former Defense Minister Vilem Holan in 1995 because of procedural problems. At that time, the commission also determined Unisys to be the best candidate. However, it offered the cost of about 4 billion crowns then. Matej Cerny/Denisa Vitkova Number of Secondary Schools to Be Reduced by 20 Per Cent On March 20 the Ministry of Education announced its secondary school optimalization program. The ministry intends to reduce the number of high schools by roughly 20 per cent, while hundreds of other schools will have to justify their existence, and a change in their curriculum is expected. The reform program, which will in total affect one out of three schools (daily MF DNES reports 90 per cent), is meant to increase the quality of instruction and to save money. The measures are to check the nearly uncontrollable growth in the number of secondary schools. While not expanding the choice of studies, there has been a splintering of funding. Although the number of students keeps dropping, new schools continue to open. This then leads to classrooms not being fully utilized and to schools having to expand their course offerings to survive. A variety of curriculi in one institution naturally represents further expenditures from state coffers. The opening of new schools also increases the demand for teachers, resulting in unqualified personnel being hired. In the 1991-92 school year there were 1,569 high schools in the Czech Republic and today there are 1,917. The number of high schools has risen by 62 per cent in comparison with 1990, and there are three times more technical high schools. As a result, secondary schools are competing for students instead of admitting the best. Ondrej Slavik/Andy Faust Government Office Opens to Public On Saturday, March 22, for the first time in its 100-year history, Straka Academy, where the Government Office resides and the government cabinet regularly meets, was opened to the public. Most of the 15,000 visitors paid keen attention to Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus' study, which, according to some, is not as pretentious as they expected. The open house at Straka Academy probably pulled away some of those who were to visit the Senate buildings, which were also opened to the public the same day. About 3,000 people visited Wallenstein Palace, home of the Senate. Lucie Podesvova/Denisa Vitkova FROM SLOVAKIA Protests Lack Support Even among University Students On March 25 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Slovak university students interrupted classes as a protest against government education policy. The Coordinating Center for Strike Committees (KCSV) at the College of Musical Arts in Bratislava is having problems, however, in persuading students to participate in a protest action called for March 26 at 19 colleges across Slovakia. After the return of performing artists to work March 27, it appears the university protest is petering out as well. According to law students at Comenius University in Bratislava, there were many who did not even sign the List of Student Demands for fear of having problems in the future. Their primary justification was that they will apply for work in civil service. The KSCV has the opposition press on its side and President Michal Kovac met with a representative of the Center March 21, but without the support of the rank-and-file university students similar actions do not have a chance for success. Of colleges outside of Bratislava, Trnava University was particularly involved. The students there are upset by government plans to finance the new St. Cyril and Methodius University in that city while the existing Slovak universities are facing a 2-billion-crown funding shortfall this year. Canceling plans for the new university is the first item on the List of Student Demands. Jan Potucek/Andy Faust IN BRIEF * On March 22 in Piestany, at its third congress, the Democratic Union elected Eduard Kukan leader, while on the same day in Banska Bystrica, the Association of Slovak Workers confirmed Jan Luptak as head of the party at its second congress. * On March 20 the Slovak National Assembly rejected an opposition proposal to remove Culture Minister Ivan Hudec. * On March 24 four kilograms of plastic explosives (danubite) with remote-control detonators were found at a public rally of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) at at the Pasienky Sport Hall in Bratislava. KDH leaders expressed their belief that the government coalition is behind the incident. * New traffic regulations come into effect April 1, under which the speed limit in municipalities will be raised from 50 kilometers per hour (km/h) to 60 km/h and on freeways from 110 km/h to 130 km/h. Jan Potucek/Andy Faust ECONOMY Czech Republic Decides to Buy Norwegian Gas The Norwegian company Statoil won the contract for natural gas supply to the Czech Republic. It means that the long-time monopoly of the Russian company Gazprom on natural gas supply for the Czech Republic will be broken. The decision to find a new supplier (regardless of being more expensive) made by the Czech Government might have been motivated by concerns about developments in Russia which could lead to an interruption of natural gas supply. The state-owned company Statoil was chosen over German firms Wintershall and Ruhrgas and British Gas. Statoil is going to sell 53 billion cubic meters of natural gas within the next 20 years, and the first Norwegian gas will arrive in the Czech Republic in May. Norwegian gas is to cover a quarter of Czech gas consumption in the year 2000. Gaparov Batyr/Milan Smid Cabinet Rejects Crisis Report on Poldi Kladno The Czech cabinet rejected March 19 the Trade Minister Vladimir Dlouhy's report on solving the critical situation in the Poldi Kladno steelworks, which have been in the bankruptcy proceedings since March. The cabinet considered the submitted report too general and asked Dlouhy to rewrite it by April 15. Dlouhy should suggest specific proposals to bail out the indebted steel mill. "I could not be more specific due to the expected court proceedings. As soon as concrete judicial steps will be undertaken, I will be ready to suggest a solution," said Dlouhy to the CTK news agency. However, the rescue of the Kladno steel mill is nearly impossible, as debts exceed 7 billion crowns and steel production was idle for nearly all of 1996. Jakub Prochazka/Milan Smid IN BRIEF * The trade-balance deficit, one of the biggest problems of the Czech economy, rose 27 billion crowns in the first two months of 1997. In January and February, imports reached 123 billion crowns, while exports brought home 96 billion crowns only. In comparison with the same period last year, the trade-balance deficit increased 70 per cent. * The Czech current-account balance, which expresses payments for goods and services with foreign countries, ended 1996 in the red with a 121.5 billion-crown deficit. It represents 8 per cent of the Czech GNP, or, according to some economic experts, the maximum percentage the Czech economy can handle. * Last year's economic growth in the Czech Republic slowed to 4.4 per cent, compared to 5.5 percent in 1995. The 1997 economic prognosis for the Czech Republic puts the rate of growth between 4 per cent and 4.8 per cent. Jakub Prochazka/Milan Smid Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from March 28) country currency ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 22.963 Belgium 100 BEF 84.106 Great Britain 1 GBP 47.608 Denmark 1 DKK 4.552 Finland 1 FIM 5.850 France 1 FRF 5.147 Ireland 1 IEP 46.028 Italy 1000 ITL 17.376 Japan 100 JPY 23.612 Canada 1 CAD 21.266 Luxemburg 100 LUF 84.106 Hungary 100 HUF 16.515 Netherlands 1 NLG 15.424 Norway 1 NOK 4.393 New Zealand 1 NZD 20.323 Poland 1 PLN 9.485 Portugal 100 PTE 17.257 Austria 1 ATS 2.466 Greece 100 GRD 10.970 Slovakia 100 SKK 88.571 Germany 1 DEM 17.352 Spain 100 ESP 20.457 Sweden 1 SEK 3.845 Switzerland 1 CHF 20.020 USA 1 USD 29.202 ECU 1 XEU 33.721 SDR 1 XDR 40.225 CULTURE Kolya Takes Long-Awaited Oscar The names of father and son Zdenek and Jan Sverak will forever be inscribed in the history of Czech cinematography. Their successful picture Kolya, already awarded the Golden Globe trophy by Hollywood critics, received the Oscar for best foreign film of 1996. After 29 years the Oscar winner for best foreign film is again a Czech filmmaker. Prior to Kolya only Closely Watched Trains by Jiri Menzel and The Shop on Main Street by the directing pair Elmar Klos and Jan Kadar had been honored with the prize of the American Film Academy. Czech emigre Milos Forman also won in the past with two films, but his controversial picture The People vs. Larry Flynt at this year's award ceremony came away empty-handed, despite receiving several nominations. Director Jan Sverak, who already won a Student Oscar for his mock documentary Oil Gobblers, addressed the golden statuette as "Dear Oscar" when receiving the award, and said he would be glad to acquire a little brother for it. This is how he expressed his ambition to make another Oscar film, which next time would be in English. Ondra Provaznik/Andy Faust Thalie 96 Awards The Thalie 96 prizes for extraordinary performance in drama, opera and ballet were awarded March 22 in Prague's National Theater. The ceremony was hosted by last year's Thalie winner, Slovak actor Milan Lasica, and President Vaclav Havel was among the guests. The prize for the best male drama performance was awarded to Jiri Labus, a member of the theater Studio Ypsilon, for performing the role of Bonneau in Boris Vian's play The Head of Medusa. The best drama actress prize was given to Jana Hlavacova, a member of Vinohrady Theater ensemble, for her performance in the role of Anges in Edward Albee's drama A Delicate Balance. Jaroslava Adamova received a lifetime achievement award from the hands of the president's wife, actress Dagmar Veskrnova-Havlova. The special Thalie award was given to well-known actor and comedian Miroslav Hornicek. Other Thalie awards by category: Ballet, pantomime and contemporary dance: Karel Littera from the National Theater in Brno for the role of Romeo in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Tatiana Juricova from National Theater in Prague, for the role of Odetta in Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Opera performance: Ludek Vele, National Theater Prague, for performing the role of Baron Ochs in The Pink Cavalier, and Eva Drizgova, Moravian-Silesian National Theater in Ostrava, for the role of Mimi in Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme. Musical and operetta performance: Jitka Molavcova for Hello Dolly at the Karlin Music Theater in Prague. Miroslava Figarova also received a lifetime achievement Thalie for her work in the ballet. For actors under 35, the winner was Jan Potmesil, who has been confined to a wheelchair since a 1989 automobile accident. Bohdana Rambusova/Milan Smid Havel Presents New Book President and playwright Vaclav Havel presented his new book, entitled Vaclav Havel 96, March 21 in the Paseka literary cafe in Prague. His most important public performances and interviews are collected in the book. As the book talks also about theater, a few characters from Havel's plays also appeared at the cafe. Writer, director and actor Ladislav Smoljak, in costume as Captain Macheth from Havel's Beggar's Opera (Zebracka opera), asked the president to write a new play because his contradicting characters are difficult roles to play. Havel, accompanied by his wife Dagmar on her 44th birthday, said, "I challenge all my characters to become politicians. There is nothing to worry about, I will write everything for you." exclusively for Carolina by Lucie Podesvova/Magdalena Vanova Sound Bath Washes Archa Prague's Archa Theater got lucky again with its latest showing, a concert by the British group :zoviet*france: March 20. During their performance, the group's two musicians showed a keen sense for improvisation. They were creating, mixing and structuring melodies using a large number of instruments on the stage. Their enthusiasm in what they play defies the critics who say electronic groups cannot sound authentic when playing unplugged. :zoviet*france: created a mystical atmosphere of meditation, on the part of the musicians and the audience, in their Prague show. Martin Cermak/Magdalena Vanova SPORT Slavia Ties Sparta in Crosstown Match Sparta Praha and Slavia Praha's crosstown rivalry heated up again in Slavia's stadium in Eden March 25 and ended in a 1-1 tie. Slavia's Vagner scored early, putting in a header in the fourth minute, but in the 11th minute Siegl tied the match at one. Horvath then hit Sparta's crossbar at the end of the first half. Referee Krondl showed nine yellow cards and five minutes before the finish he suspended Slavia's defender Lerch. Slavia caused itself unexpected troubles in its fight for the league's championship by losing in the 20th round (March 21-23) on the field of last-place Karvina. The loss knocked Slavia from first place to fourth, behind Sparta, Liberec and Jablonec. Sparta defeated Ostrava 1-0 on a questionable penalty shot, Liberec beat Bohemians 2-0 and Jablonec won its match in Teplice 1-0. Between first and fourth teams is three points' difference. In the fight for last place, Zizkov tied Opava 1-1, as did Hradec Kralove and Ceske Budejovice. Karvina, after its win over Slavia, jumped from the last place, where Bohemians now languish. Other results: Olomouc - Drnovice 2-1, Brno - Plzen 2-0. Results of the 21st round (played March 26): Ostrava - Liberec 0-0, Jablonec - Karvina 1-0, Zizkov - Olomouc 1-0, Plzen - Drnovice 2-1, Hradec - Teplice 1-0, Bohemians Praha - Brno 1-1. Opava will play with Ceske Budejovice on March 28. Standings: 1. Sparta 40, 2. Jablonec 40, 3. Liberec 39, 4. Slavia 37 ... 15. Karvina 16, 16. Bohemians 15. Honza Mazak, Mirek Langer/Mirek Langer Hockey Extraleague Playoffs Continue The fifth match between Sparta Praha and Ceske Budejovice, played in a sold-out Sparta stadium, determined the last playoff semifinalist in Czech hockey's extraleague. The home team lead 5-0 after two periods, and advanced with its 5-2 win. The first Vsetin-Pardubice semifinal contest resulted in a 10-1 blowout win for two-time defending champion Vsetin. Vsetin forward Tomas Srsen recorded seven points on five goals and two assists. The second match was similar, though Vsetin scored "only" five goals. National team member Jiri Dopita ignited Vsetin, as he scored two goals and he assisted once. In the first Sparta-Vitkovice semifinal match, Sparta gave its home fans an unpleasant surprise, losing 2-6. Excellent defense provided the key to Vitkovice's win. The second match started better for Sparta, which led 2-0, but they let Vitkovice tie the game thanks to their reckless play in the last period. Skuta's goal then gave Vitkovice the victory the first overtime of this year's playoffs. Results: Vsetin - Pardubice 10-1, 5-1 (2-0 in games) Sparta - Vitkovice 2-6, 2-3 (2-0 in games) Zdenek Janda/Mirek Langer Nordic Skiing World Cup Ends Jaroslav Sakala repaired Czech jumpers' reputation with his March 22 fifth-place finish and his March 23 sixth place in this World Cup season's last event, on Planica, Slovenia's mammoth ski-jump. Only two Czechs (21st Suchacek and 23rd Sakala) finished in the top 30 in the World Cup final results. Also, skiers in the nordic combined discipline finished their season with the last World Cup event in Slovakia's Strbske Pleso. Junior Jan Matura finished 19th, Ladislav Rygl sixth. In the World Cup final standings, Rygl finished 11th. Zdenek Janda, Honza Mazak/Mirek Langer SPORTS IN BRIEF * Czech ice-dancing couple Katerina Mrazova and Martin Simecek posted the country's best finish in the figure skating World Championships in Paris, as they wound up 13th. * Germans Kremer and Behling, in a Subaru, won the Sumava Rally - the Czech Republic Championships - more then two minutes ahead of Czechs Krecek and Krecman in a Ford. * Sibera and Gross, in a Czech Skoda, finished 14th in the Portugal Rally. * Frantisek Jez won the Czech Republic Championships on the K-90 ski-jump, with Jaroslav Kahanek finishing second and Jaroslav Sakala third. * The Czech national hockey B-team played exhibition matches in Canada, losing 4-2 and winning 7-3. Mirek Langer, Zdenek Janda, Honza Mazak/Mirek Langer WEATHER The horizon is cloudy and above my head the sun is shining. At noon it is warm and toward evening it becomes rather chilly. You just do not know what to wear. Ondra Provaznik English version edited by Michael Bluhm xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Study in Prague This Summer From July 12 to August 3, the Faculty of Social Sciences, together with Georgetown University and The Fund for American Studies, will sponsor The American Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems for the fifth consecutive year. The Institute will take place at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Prague, and will include lectures by professors from Georgetown University and Charles University, as well as guest appearances by notable political and cultural figures. All lectures and site briefings will be held in English. In 1996, more than 100 students from 22 different countries attended the Institute. In 1997 the program hopes to maintain the same number of students. The institute offers an equally diverse and interesting program by combining lectures with site briefings around Prague and an exciting program of social activities. Scholarships are available for students from Central and Eastern Europe. For further details and an application form, contact either Ann Erker at The Fund for American Studies or Cyril Simsa at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the following e-mail addresses: Ann Erker: aipes@tfas.org Cyril Simsa: SVOZ@mbox.fsv.cuni.cz Please remember to include your full postal address, as well as your e-mail address, since the applications will have to be sent by post. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. 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