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 252, Friday, June 20, 1997. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (June 11 - 18) President Sees Czech NATO Membership as Almost Certain President Vaclav Havel said on his weekly radio program Talks from Lany June 15 that American President Bill Clinton's mention of the Czech Republic being one of the first three post-Communist countries to enter NATO is almost a confirmation of the Czech Republic's entry. The other two countries Clinton indicated were Poland and Hungary. Discussing the prepared budget cuts, Havel commended how the army had been minimally affected, saying that defense was one of the Czech Republic's basic priorities. The Institute for Public Opinion Research (IVVM) somewhat quashed the new enthusiasm when it announced findings that only 45 per cent of Czech respondents support NATO membership, while 33 per cent oppose it and 22 per cent were of no clear opinion. Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) blames the Social Democrats for the negative opinions. He appeared on the TV NOVA debate program "7 or seven days" with Social Democrat (CSSD) Chairman Milos Zeman, who replied that he is "for entry into NATO and passionately for entry into the European Union." Zieleniec also reminded him that CSSD support for the alliance is nothing compared to that of ODS. Zieleniec countered that the CSSD approach was off-base, always starting comments with phrases like "referendum" and "nuclear weapons." The foreign minister said that open statements would change statistics showing that 83 per cent of ODS voters support NATO as opposed to less than 30 per cent of CSSD voters. Although the Social Democrats support NATO entry in their party platform, they do so on the conditions of not having nuclear weapons and foreign troops stationed in the Czech Republic. Pavel Novak/Andrea Snyder Klaus Lectures in London Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus admitted June 17 that in relation to the recent problems with the Czech crown, he had underestimated foreign speculators on the hard-currency markets. The BBC interviewed Klaus following his lecture at the London School of Economics. Klaus also paid a short private visit to the European Bank for Research and Development and met with financial institutions Flemings and Nomura. Milan Smid/Andrea Snyder Voter Trust Down Only four out of every 100 Czechs have faith in both the Parliament and the newly reconstructed government, reported the Institute for Public Opinion Research, noting that this represents a record low. Sociologists say that that one-fourth of youths and businessmen interviewed are turning away from the Cabinet. Only 19 per cent of those polled believe in Parliament and 20 per cent believe in the Senate. Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus' Cabinet fell in faith by 13 per cent, to 22 per cent of those polled. The coalition still has greater support than the opposition. The only exception to all this lack of faith is President Vaclav Havel, who holds the trust of more than two-thirds of respondents. A Czech Press Agency graph shows that his poll results are even up by three per cent. Fifty-seven per cent said that the government's presentation of itself was the main reason of the drop in confidence. Simona Malkovska/Andrea Snyder 30 Per Cent of Voters Support Social Democrats The Center for Empirical Research (STEM) showed that the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) jumped over the 30-per-cent mark in voter confidence at the beginning of June. Although the ruling Civic Democratic Party (ODS), CSSD's greatest rival, trails them by 9 per cent, they have not fallen any farther since the Social Democrats leapfrogged them in the popularity polls in April. Interior Minister Jan Ruml (ODS) said it is a sign "that we have survived a deep political crisis." The Christian Democrats rose to the 13 per cent mark, while the the Civic Democratic Alliance fell from 11 per cent to 10 per cent. Other parties have not seen much change in voter preference - the Communists managed 9.3 per cent, and the neo-Fascist Republicans logged in at 4.9 per cent. The STEM poll was taken June 1-8, after the crown's fall and budget cuts, but before the government's dramatic vote of confidence. Pavel Novak/Andrea Snyder Popularity Queen Petra Buzkova A June poll by the Center for Empirical Research (STEM) showed many changes on the politician popularity chart, but not with leading lady Petra Buzkova. Buzkova, vice chairwoman of Parliament and the Social Democrats (CSSD), has been the most popular Czech politician since March, staying in favor with more than 75 per cent of respondents. Stanislav Gross, chairman of the CSSD parliamentary club, follows with 62 per cent. Third place is held by Foreign Minister and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice Chairman Josef Zieleniec with 61 per cent. Social Democrat Chairman Chairman Milos Zeman landed fourth with 10 per cent less, and is just ahead of Christian Democrat Chairman Josef Lux, who stands at 50 per cent. On the list of 17 other politicians, Interior Minister Jan Ruml (ODS) made the greatest improvement over the month, with an 11-per-cent increase to 45 per cent. The increase may be attributed to his decision not to make himself a sacrificial lamb during the government crisis. New ODS Finance Minister Ivan Pilip fell the most, by 16 per cent to 16 per cent, to take the lowest rung on the list. Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus took 14th, with 34 per cent. STEM reports that his popularity has fallen by 15 per cent since January. A poll conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research showed that he holds favor from only 29 per cent of those polled. Libuse Kolouchova/Andrea Snyder Havel Notes Increase in Xenophobia President Vaclav Havel and his wife Dagmar June 14 attended the solemn commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Lidice tragedy (in June 1942, after the assassination of the Nazi leader of the Czech lands Reinhard Heydrich, the communities of Lidice and Lezaky were exterminated. Before the tragedy Lidice had 493 residents, though only 144 women and 17 children survived the war, nine of which were found in the two years following the war). During his speech, Havel emphasized that "in different places on our continent, in the west, in the east and in the center of Europe are voices raised which speak for nationalistic hate and spread xenophobic attitudes. We cannot allow them to have the chance to decide the future of Europe." The president also expressed his fears whether the annual commemorations of the Lidice tragedy are not becoming just a ritual with no sense of the tragedy s horror and perversity. Libuse Kolouchova/Sofia Karakeva Grusa's Health Improves The condition of Education Minister Jiri Grusa has improved and he was transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to a special room June 17, according to L. Lednicky of the surgical department of the Central Army Hospital in Prague-Stresovice. During Grusa s stay in the Intensive Care Unit there was an embargo on information about his condition, and it was impossible even for his colleagues to maintain contact with him. According to Lednicky, the minister is feeling better and by the end of the week should be released. Libuse Kolouchova/Sofia Karakeva ECONOMY Bank Privatization under Control Parliament Budget Committee Chairman Jozef Wagner said he might insist on delaying the privatization of the Investment and Postal Bank (Investicni a Postovni Banka, IPB), to prevent the sale of the state's share under its real value. During the vote of confidence in the government, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus promised Wagner that he will present a plan for bank privatization to Parliament. The state still owns a 35-per-cent share in IPB, a 48-per-cent share in the Commerce Bank (Komercni banka), a 66-per-cent share in the Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka) and a 45-per-cent share in the Czech Savings Bank (Ceska sporitelna). Milan Smid/Matej Cerny Crown Strengthens, Loans Still Expensive The exchange rate of the Czech crown reached its highest level since the crisis at the end of May. Although the German mark was sold for only 18.47 crowns June 18, the crown's future is still uncertain. The Czech Central Bank is expected to lower key interest rates soon, which may influence the position of the crown on currency markets. Milan Smid/Matej Cerny Aero Vodochody Introduces New Czech Aircraft Aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody, in the presence of Defense Minister Miloslav Vyborny and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jiri Nekvasil, unveiled June 12 the prototype of its new multipurpose L-159 aircraft, which should become the backbone of the Czech military's air force. Vyborny labeled the plane economic and compatible with NATO models. The Czech Army is scheduled to buy 72 L-159s in 1999, according to a contract guaranteed by the government. Vyborny indicated the purchase price would be about 25 billion crowns. Aero management said more than 10 countries had already expressed interest in the aircraft. Lida Truneckova/Michael Bluhm Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from June 20) country currency ---------------------------------------- Australia 1 AUD 23.962 Belgium 100 BEF 89.784 Great Britain 1 GBP 52.618 Denmark 1 DKK 4.867 Finland 1 FIM 6.189 France 1 FRF 5.491 Ireland 1 IEP 48.324 Italy 1000 ITL 18.917 Japan 100 JPY 28.316 Canada 1 CAD 23.015 Luxemburg 100 LUF 89.784 Hungary 100 HUF 17.267 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.465 Norway 1 NOK 4.426 New Zealand 1 NZD 22.039 Poland 1 PLN 9.882 Portugal 100 PTE 18.399 Austria 1 ATS 2.632 Greece 100 GRD 11.723 Slovakia 100 SKK 95.814 Germany 1 DEM 18.530 Spain 100 ESP 21.967 Sweden 1 SEK 4.145 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.153 USA 1 USD 32.045 ECU 1 XEU 36.251 IMF 1 XDR 44.607 SPORT Slavia Wins Soccer Union Cup for First Time Slavia Praha defeated Dukla Praha 1-0 on an overtime goal in the finale of the Czech-Moravian Soccer Union Cup June 15, and will take part in the second-most prestigious European soccer club competition - Cup Winners Cup. Although Dukla Praha was considered an outsider, the favorite Slavia Praha was not able to score a goal until the 101st minute, when Horvath's kick ricocheted off Vacha's head and past Dukla's powerless goalie. Slavia Praha's victory was its first in the Czech-Moravian Soccer Union Cup. Pavel Novak/Milan Smid WEATHER A look at the cloudy, gray sky seems to say summer took a vacation this week. Showers and constantly threatening thunderstorms have depressed the temperature to between 20 degrees and 25 degrees Celsius/68 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which would otherwise be a welcome change from the 30-degree-Celsius/86-degree-Fahrenheit heat wave which reigned all last week. We, the students, however, will not allow our mood to be ruined by any weather and are taking pleasure from this beautiful time of ripening cherries and strawberries, and we are beginning to pack our backpacks and bags for vacation. Simona Malkovska English version edited by Michale 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@listserv.cesnet.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@listserv.cesnet.cz: SIGNOFF CAR-ENG or SIGNOFF CAR-CS We ask you not to send automatic replies to our list. 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