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 268, Friday, December 5, 1997. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 26 - December 3) Klaus' Cabinet Falls Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus (Civic Democratic Party ODS) resigned November 30. Under the constitution, this step means the fall of the Cabinet. President Vaclav Havel charged the resigning government with executing its function until a new government is formed. Klaus led the Cabinet for five years and five months, beginning in 1992. Klaus was called on to resign by party colleagues Jan Ruml (former interior minister) and Finance Minister Ivan Pilip November 28. The government then began to crumble. After a hurriedly convened statewide party conference, all four Christian Democrat ministers left the government the same day. November 29 all four Civic Democratic Alliance government members resigned as well, and President Havel also appealed to Klaus to step down. The coalition partners decided to leave the cabinet because ODS, the biggest coalition party, was not able to resolve the affair provoked by revelations of mysterious sponsors and information about a secret account holding 170 million crowns in Switzerland. ODS financing problems, because of which former Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec resigned from the party and government a month ago, have grown into an open wound. There are two opposite sides in this split: Klaus' supporters (ODS Vice Chairman Miroslav Macek, Transportation Secretary Martin Riman, Parliament Foreign Relations Committee member Jiri Payne) who want him to continue to lead the party, and his opponents (Ruml, Pilip, Parliament deputy Jiri Vlach), who wish Klaus would not run for the party's chairmanship again. Talks about a new government started the afternoon of November 30. Havel talked with coalition parties' negotiators without any specific result. "The talks have been postponed till December 15, immediately after the ODS congress, which will show whether the party is able to solve its problem and whether the current coalition parties can come to an agreement about a joint government," said presidential spokesman Ladislav Spacek to Carolina (the possibility of ODS becoming an opposition party is not out of the question - editorial note). "In my opinion, everything is pointing toward early elections," said Jiri Pehe, political department director of the Office of the President. His prediction stems from the fact that the opposition, led by the Social Democrats, is trying to invoke a time limitation for the parliamentary mandate, with an eye toward elections in June at the latest. Ondrej Drabek/Denisa Vitkova Constitutional Solutions to the Government Crisis The only one not outflanked by the domestic political situation is probably the Czech Republic's constitution. This highest authority offers a few alternatives. The president appoints the prime minister and, on the prime minister's nomination, the ministers. This cabinet presents itself within 30 days after appointment to Parliament's Chamber of Deputies and asks for a vote of confidence. If the cabinet does not receive confidence, the president charges another politician with forming a new government, and the process repeats. If the next government does not receive a vote of confidence, the president appoints a prime minister nominated by the Chamber's chairman. Only if all these possibilities fail can early elections take place. Although the basic unknown fact which will influence everything else - the election of a chairman for the Civic Democratic Party at its extraordinary congress December 13 - the first names of possible candidates are bandied about already (Finance Minister Ivan Pilip, former Interior Minister Jan Ruml, Vice Premier and Christian Democrat Chairman Josef Lux, Czech National Bank Governor Josef Tosovsky or Academy of Science's Macroeconomic Institute Director Jan Svejnar). Mass media mention the possibility of a government made up of experts. However, most politicians do not favor this possibility. Lenka Jindrlova/Denisa Vitkova Timetable of the Government Crisis November 27. The daily MF DNES published a story headlined Top ODS Politicians Hide the Truth about Sponsors, in which Czech ambassador to Sweden Petr Kolar and enterpreneur Michal Kuzmiak declared that several ODS leaders knew for more than one year the true name of the sponsor who donated the controversial 7.5 million crowns. Former Foreign Minister and former Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice Chairman Josef Zieleniec claimed Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus knew the truth about the "mysterious sponsor." Klaus denied the charge. Former ODS Executive Vice Chairman Libor Novak, responsible for party finances, admitted at a press conference that he had negotiated the sponsorship with representatives of Moravia Steel, which later succeeded in winning the privatization tender of the iron and steelworks company Trinecke zelezarny, and he took personal responsibility for hiding the sponsor's name. The testimony of former tennis player Milan Srejber, who attended the press conference, did not make a credible impression on the journalists, and was the object of their laughter. Shortly afterwards, Christian Democrat Chairman Josef Lux ruled out the chance of Klaus staying in office if it would be confirmed that Klaus had known the identity of the ODS sponsor in the past. Lux threatened to reconsider the future participation of his party in the coalition. ODS Vice Chairman and Finance Minister Ivan Pilip said he is prepared to resign if the situation is not satisfactorily explained. November 28. The daily MF DNES broke the story of a secret ODS bank account in Switzerland. At a press conference, the ODS was not able to present a credible explanation of the situation. Despite the turbulent situation on the domestic political scene, Klaus departed for a meeting of the Central European Initiative in Sarajevo (where he declared readiness to continue with Czech participation in the SFOR mission, if the proper international conditions are maintained). Trade unions called on the government to resign. Former Interior Minister Jan Ruml and Pilip appealed publicly - after a brief phone discussion with Klaus in Sarajevo - to the prime minister to take political responsibility for the situation and to resign. ODS Vice Chairman Miroslav Macek described this act as a putsch in the party. At an extraordinary party conference, the Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak Peoples' Party (KDU-CSL) decided to withdraw its ministers from the government, and Lux notified President Vaclav Havel of the decision that night. Their decision cited loss of public confidence in the present government and the impossibility of maintaining the current situation were declared as the reasons for abdication. Lux rejected his candidacy for the prime minister's office. November 29. The Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) ministers decided to leave the government as well. Havel called for the resignation of the whole cabinet. He tried to calm the public with references to the fact that the exchange of politicians is a normal procedure and evidence of a working democracy. He added that the world will not end with the departures of Klaus as prime minister, of Milos Zeman as Parliament chairman, or of Havel as president. After his early return from Sarajevo, the prime minister joined the ODS executive council which discussed for more than 11 hours the resolution of the current crisis. The spontaneous demonstration of citizens in front of the ODS building in Snemovni Street declared support for Klaus, and the crowd assaulted Ruml and Pilip as traitors (see special story below). Cardinal Miloslav Vlk made a public statement where he declared that the internal problems in the ODS concentrated a more sharp and critical light on Klaus' way of government. Plain pragmatism, an absolute emphasis on economics and the absence of spiritual and moral values were the main and most serious of his mistakes, said Vlk. November 30. After midnight, Klaus announced his and his Cabinet's resignation. However, he decided to retain his position as ODS chairman, and that he would decide whether to compete for this position again at the extraordinary ODS congress to be held in two weeks, December 13-14. Havel said on his weekly radio program Talks from Lany (Hovory z Lan) that he had accepted the resignation of the Cabinet, and that at the same time he entrusted it with the running the administration until a new cabinet would be appointed. He publicly denounced yesterday's demonstration of support for Klaus and criticized Prague Mayor Jan Koukal for calling a new demonstration to be held that day on Wenceslas Square. "When I hear and see such manifestations, I am disgusted with all these things, and in my opinion Mayor Koukal should resign after what he did," said Havel in Talks from Lany. Also, Lux criticized the demonstration in Snemovni Street, where the prime minister decided "to celebrate his triumph instead of protecting his party colleagues from mob attacks." At the afternoon press conference in the government building, Klaus announced he was going to take legal action against TV NOVA, which braodcast a false report of his ownership of a villa in Switzerland. The representatives of all three coalition parties discussed the new government with Havel in Lany Chateau. About 1,500 people participated in the demonstration in support of the prime minister on Wenceslas Square. December 1. Police started an investigation in the case of the alleged secret ODS bank account in Switzerland. Lux said the KDU-CSL does not want to call for early elections, but ODS disunity and reluctance to discuss the new cabinet would make them inevitable. "The ability to make a decision will determine the possible verdict on early elections. The ODS has to say whether it will participate in the new government," he said. The Christian Democrats propose to arrange early elections through an amendment to the Constitution which would temporarily shorten the terms of office. The ODS Parliamentary Club negotiated party strategy and allegedly was deeply divided. According to information leaked to the press, Klaus is supported by ODS' senators, but a majority of deputies are against his future chairmanship. December 2. The Social Democrats called for early elections to be held at the latest by the end of June. Jiri Honajzer resigned as chairman of the ODS Parliamentary Club because of his disillusionment with the party and after admitting his share of responsibility. Novak, who took personal responsibility for hiding Srejber's name, resigned as a member of Parliament. Lux said his party would not support the Social Democrats' draft of a bill which would shorten the terms in office. "We want this proposal to be a government coalition motion, which would have expressed our agreement in disagreement." Veronika Machova, Jan Kozanek/Milan Smid After deadline: ODA and the Christian Democrats have announced their intention to form a new government if the ODS becomes party of the opposition. Havel has discussed the issue with these parties' chairmen. Klaus wrote a letter to ODS members in which he recommends ODS join the opposition. Hysteria Dominates among Klaus Supporters Excited manifestations of support for Vaclav Klaus, chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and prime minister, accompanied the 11-hour November 29 ODS meeting. The pressure of ODS' financial scandals broke into society, which split in two. One camp claims Klaus' responsibility for the problems inside his party, while the other considers the affair an attack on the prime minister. Photographers, TV staffs and journalists immediately surrounded the gates of ODS' seat in Snemovni Street. A growing crowd of Klaus fans is constantly chanting behind them on the street. Chants against top ODS members Finance Minister Ivan Pilip and former Interior Minister Jan Ruml are join the traditional verbal attacks on Josef Lux, chairman of the coalition Christian Democrats (Lux is a Judas, We don't want the three-letter snake). People are shouting at the windows that Pilip and Ruml are traitors, and they support Klaus with slogans: - Vaclav, don't give up, ODS is Klaus, etc. The peaceful meeting turns into a fanatical crowd, which is not even dispersed by an anonymous call warning of a bomb in the street. Klaus gave the crowd their greatest joy when he came to greet them and thank them for their support. On the other hand, the most dramatic moment came when Ruml, the former dissident, left the meeting early. The enraged crowd follows and insults him. Ruml still manages to answer journalists's questions by saying it is not possible to negotiate in such an atmosphere. "I fought against communism all my life and this is the result," he said. Pilip also experiences the same reaction when he attempts to talk to the people from a window. They do not allow him to speak and someone threw a soft drink at him. Prague Mayor Jan Koukal could have expected the same reaction, but when he invites the assembled to come the next day to Wenceslas Square, he receives an ovation. It is after midnight and while Klaus calmly goes home and proudly proclaims he will not give up, hysteria follows Pilip's exit leaving. Some voices suggest "Hang him." Some anarchists provoke a while longer and then there is calm. Erik Tabery/Nora Novakova Klaus' Supporters Gather to Express Support On a rainy November 30 almost 1,500 people gathered on Prague's Wenceslas Square to support Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus. Jan Koukal, mayor of Prague and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) senator, welcomed Klaus' supporters, senators and members of Parliament, and also Klaus' wife Livia. She read an emotional letter, addressed from Klaus' son to his father and in which he expresses his full support. She protests against information in the media that Snemovni Street was filled December 1 with fanatics, and she also objects to President Vaclav Havel's comments on a radio broadcast that he is disgusted by the expression of fanatism. The demonstration was calm and all speakers were rewarded with great applause. People could sign a petition to support Klaus, which said democracy is in danger. People accuse journalists of bias. The demonstration ended quickly and the rain took with it the expressions of support. Erik Tabery/Sofia Karakeva Foreign Media Reaction to Political Crisis Most important foreign mass media (especially in neighboring countries) covered political developments in the Czech Republic. However, the situation was not intensely followed by all of them. Nearly all media commenting on the crisis consider Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus's arrogance and his unwillingness to admit and resolve the problems of the Civic Democratic Party as the main reasons for the government's fall. "Even the closest supporters of Vaclav Klaus in the party and in the Cabinet stopped defending him and openly called for his resignation," wrote the newsgathering agency AP. CNN emphasized that "in spite of the resignation, Vaclav Klaus was the longest-serving prime minister in the post-communist countries." The Boston Globe wrote that the crisis broke out at a very inconvenient time, when the Czech Republic is in negotiations about NATO and European Union membership. However, most mass media suggested the crisis will not threaten democracy in the Czech Republic. Gabriela Podzimkova, Jan Puncochar/Zdenek Janda Havel Wants to Visit Summit, Doctors against It Medical specialists caring for President Vaclav Havel met December 1 because of Havel's difficulties breathing during political negotiations during the weekend. Doctors recommended the president reduce his schedule, although they know that is nearly impossible with the country undergoing a political crisis. Havel has also decided to go to Luxemburg to represent the country at the European Summit November 13 in the place of resigned Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, who will then be taking part in the Civic Democratic Party congress. Miroslav Cerbak, the chairman of the medical team, does not approve of Havel's plan, saying it is very dangerous for his health. Anna Kadava/Zdenek Janda ODA: a New Chairman But No Parliament Club Chairman Environment Minister Jiri Skalicky was narrowly elected chairman of the fallen government coalition's smallest party, Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), at an extraordinary party conference in Brno November 29. Skalicky received 156 votes out of 299 present delegates. He succeeds unsuccessful former ambassador to the USA, Senator Michael Zantovsky, whose eight-month reign saw the party's voter preference fall beneath the five-per-cent barrier needed for representation in Parliament. Expectations that Skalicky will unite the Right Fraction, led by renegade Parliament Deputy Ivan Masek, and the pragmatic wing, represented by National Property Fund Chairman Roman Ceska, have not been fulfilled. A member of the Right Fraction, Parliament deputy Cestmir Hofhanzl quit the ODA December 1 because "the party had diverged from his moral standards," he said. The next day ODA lost Masek, its Parliament Club chairman, who said about his departure: "My decision is based on ethical reasons as well as realistic consideration of ODA's further potential. I do not see the future of the Right Fraction inside the party." Masek and Hofhanzl remain Parliament Club members and intend to support the 1998 budget. Milan Eisenhammer/Jana Ciglerova Communist Presidential Candidate Nominated Stanislav Fischer, a researcher at the Academy of Sciences' Institute of Astronomy, has been announced as the Communist Party's presidential candidate November 29. The Communists stated for the Czech Press Agency that they intend to oppose President Vaclav Havel's and the coalition's intellectual rigidity. Katerina Murlova/Jana Ciglerova World AIDS Day in the Czech Republic Hundreds of people from Prague and other parts of the Czech Republic commemorated World AIDS Day December 1. Red ribbons pinned to their coats symbolized solidarity and sympathy with sick and infected children especially, because December 1 is dedicated to them. In the Czech Republic there have been 356 people registrated with the HIV virus, including five children. Katerina Murlova/Jana Ciglerova FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN BRIEF * Based on the latest research done by the Institute for Public Opinion Research, support for Czech NATO membership has sunk to 43 per cent, the lowest level in the last seven months. Forty-seven per cent of respondents were sure about the rightness of the step in September. * According to the British Foreign Minister Robin Cook, who visited the Czech Republic on November 27, Great Britain will not award Romany (Gypsy) refugees asylum. Britain is not considering imposing visa requirements on the Czech Republic, he said. * Organizations representing Czech victims of Nazism met Chancellor Helmut Kohl November 18 in Bonn. Their mutual concern was the Future Fund, from which the victims should be compensated, according to the Czech-German agreement. * Japan intends to abolish visa requirements for the Czech Republic in spring. Japanesse Foreign Minister Keiso Obuci confirmed this information at his December 2 meeting with Czech Senate Chairman Petr Pithart, who is on an official visit in Japan. Gabriela Podzimkova and Jan Puncochar/Ivona Pulkrabkova SLOVAK NEWS IN BRIEF * Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima November 27 visited his Slovak counterpart, Premier Vladimir Meciar, in Piestany where Meciar has been undergoing treatment for some time. The Austrian side was mainly interested in the Mochovce nuclear power station, where the Slovaks were concerned about their entry into European structures. * The Senate of the Slovak Supreme Court rejected the complaint against Interior Minister Gustav Krajci in connection with the failed May referendum. According to the verdict, it was Slovak President Michal Kovac who violated the law by announcing the referendum without having been asked for it by the National Assembly or by a petition committee. * In connection with the approaching end of President Michal Kovac's term of office, the discussion about candidates for this post has heated up. The field of Slovak Democratic Coalition candidates has been narrowed to two (the names have not been made public yet), while neither the Hungarian Coalition nor any of the coalition parties have yet decided on a candidate. Only the Party of the Democratic Left has even published the name of the appointed one - it is Juraj Hrasko, an academic. Eva Fronkova and Paula Majorova/Ivona Pulkrabkova ECONOMY Czech Crown and Political Crisis After the government's resignation November 30, financial markets reacted with a steep fall. On the domestic currency market the crown fell to 19.57 crowns to the deutschmark November 28 and abroad it fell to 19.80 per deutschmark. Even though it will be very difficult to maintain the exchange rate, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has softened the fall. The CNB raised key short-term interest rates and indirectly intervened through commercial banks. It is estimated the CNB paid 200 million deutschmarks to 250 million deutschmarks in buying crowns. The political situation is being watch by foreign investors, who consider country's political stability an important factor. Foreign firms already doing business with the Czech Republic are also watching the crisis. According to the most recent trading on the Prague Stock Exchange, the PX-50 Index increased by more than 1 per cent, led mainly by a rise in the price of shares of the Czech Energy Company's (CEZ) and SPT Telecom. Each analyst has a theory of his own as to future market development. There is a theory that the crown will be falling until the end of the year and will come to 21 crowns per deutschmark. Economists are hoping for the quick appointment of a new government which has to rebuild faith in investors and create a better business climate. Pedro Afanador/Sofia Karakeva Big Banking Bill The government approved on the so-called Big Banking Bill November 26. The bill requires banks to inform the public more about their shareholders and activities. It should make the banking sector more transparent and also allow the Czech National Bank (CNB) to control various members of the sector more strictly. Insurance for depositors would be extended to include corporations, so that firms can also claim the maximum of 300,000 crowns of deposits if the bank where the money is deposited goes bankrupt. There were some disputes about the size of sanctions to be applied against bank shareholders by the CNB. Business daily Hospodarske noviny wrote that the government wants to specify according to what conditions the CNB would be allowed to paralyze shareholders. The ministers also demand that such an action should be dealt with in the court within seven days. The bill also requires that the boards of directors must consist only of members of top management. They will be obligated to show their police record and will be personally responsible for possible damages caused by their mistakes. The government hopes the law would restore confidence in the banking sector. The bill will be set before Parliament by Christmas, and if approved will be valid in April or May. Prokop Havel/Matej Cerny ECONOMY IN BRIEF * Skoda Plzen announced it wants to sell its majority share in Tatra Koprivnice and Liaz Jablonec carmakers, which slow the growth of the company with their massive debts. * The prices of Prague taxis have been regulated again (you should not pay more than 17 crowns per kilometer) since December 1. * Volkswagen, the majority shareholder in Skoda Auto, proposed lowering the company's equity by 500 million deutschmarks. The minority shareholder, the Czech government, which owns 30 per cent of Skoda, does not approve of the decrease. Ludvik Pospisil/Matej Cerny Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from December 5) country currency ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 23.429 Belgium 100 BEF 95.278 Great Britain 1 GBP 58.556 Denmark 1 DKK 5.163 Finland 1 FIM 6.503 France 1 FRF 5.872 Ireland 1 IEP 51.251 Italy 1000 ITL 20.051 Japan 100 JPY 26.967 Canada 1 CAD 24.529 Luxemburg 100 LUF 95.278 Hungary 100 HUF 17.391 Netherlands 1 NLG 17.446 Norway 1 NOK 4.861 New Zealand 1 NZD 20.989 Poland 1 PLN 9.815 Portugal 100 PTE 19.236 Austria 1 ATS 2.794 Greece 100 GRD 12.530 Slovakia 100 SKK 100.874 Germany 1 DEM 19.660 Spain 100 ESP 23.265 Sweden 1 SEK 4.485 Switzerland 1 CHF 24.316 USA 1 USD 34.862 ECU 1 XEU 38.974 SDR 1 XDR 47.364 CULTURE Phil Collins in Prague A sold-out Sport Hall in Prague welcomed singer Phil Collins, one of the few pop-music celebrities who had not yet performed here. "Hello Prague, I am glad I am here, and I will sing old and new songs for you," Collins read in Czech from a paper. With support from a 12-member group, the English singer now living in Switzerland pleased the crowd with old hits as well the songs from his new album, Dance into the Light. The Prague performance was part of his European Tour, Dancing Into Europe 97. Ales Bartl/Gabriela Pecic Karlovy Vary Film Festival Goes to Washington The program of the Freedom Film Festival, which opened December 2 in the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., consists mostly of films shown at this year's Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Czech cinematography is represented by Vladimir Michalek's Forgotten Light (Zapomenute svetlo) and Hynek Bocan's Boomerang (Bumerang). Films from Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, and Belarus will be presented. Screenings will run until December 6 in the US capital. In February and March it will be move to Los Angeles, where a film market will be held. Ales Bartl/Gabriela Pecic Actor Jiri Pleskot Dies Actor Jiri Pleskot suddenly died in Prague December 1 at the age of 75. Pleskot was very active in several theaters throughout the country as well as in film, known best in the role of Czechoslovak President Eduard Benes. Eva Fronkova/Gabriela Pecic SPORTS Handball Players Cannot Produce Miracle Czech handball players toyed throughout their first match in the world championships in Germany with a miraculous result. They led Russia by as many as seven goals, but finally lost 24:27, halftime 10:12. "We paid for Korandova's suspension," coach Vojtech Mares said about the key moment in the match, which occurred in the fifth minute. Tomas Mls/Mirek Langer 12 NHL Players Going to Nagano as Czech Olympic Team Czech ice hockey national team coaches Ivan Hlinka and Slavomir Lener published the names of the 12 NHL players who will start in the Nagano Olympics. Goalkeeper: Dominik Hasek (Buffalo). Defenders: Richard Smehlik (Buffalo), Roman Hamrlik (Tampa Bay), Petr Svoboda (Philadelphia), Jiri Slegr (Pittsburgh). Forwards: Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka (Pittsburgh), Martin Prochazka (Toronto), Vaclav Prospal (Philadelphia), Robert Reichel (New York Islanders), Martin Rucinsky (Montreal) and Vladimir Vujtek (Tampa Bay). Only an injured player from this group can be changed before the tournament, the rest of the nominees will be published in the beginning of January. Jiri Polak/Mirek Langer Korda Wins Golden Canary Ninety-four tennis coaches, officials and journalists decided the Golden Canary 1997 awards, announced in the City Theater in Prostejov November 28. Petr Korda, world number 13, surprisingly won the trophy, with Jana Novotna, new WTA Tour champion and world number two, behind him. Category results: Top male player - Korda. Top female player - Novotna. Advance in the ATP rankings - Korda. Advance in the WTA rankings - Kleinova. Top talent: Boys - Vik, girls - Bedanova. Top coach - Navratil. Top handicapped player - Brychta. Pavel Turek/Mirek Langer Sparta Loses Historic Win in Italy after Referee Concocts Penalty Sparta Praha players were happy, exhausted and sad together after they lost a potential victory in the Champions League match in Parma November 27, when Enrico Chiesa scored on a penalty shot in extra time. Parma led after Chiesa scored his first goal in the 22nd minute, while both Sparta's goals (scored by Novotny and Obajdin) came in the added time. The 2-2 tie is a great success for Sparta, which had never recorded a point in European cup matches played in Italy. "If someone told me after halftime we would get a point, I would think he was fool. But in the end the referee stole the win from us," goalkeeper Tomas Postulka said. David Kozohorsky/Mirek Langer Soccer League's Autumn Schedule Ends, Sparta Leads Sparta Praha is enjoying first place after the 15 rounds of the soccer league, losing only nine points from perfection because of three ties and one loss. Slavia is 10 points behind, Brno is third. Plzen and Bohdanec will have troubles staying in the league in the spring. Results of the 15th round: Bohdanec - Opava 2-2, Olomouc - Dukla 1-1, Plzen - Jablonec 0-0, Ceske Budejovice - Brno 1-3, Liberec - Drnovice 3-1, Slavia Praha - Ostrava 2-1, Teplice - Sparta Praha 1-1, Zizkov - Hradec Kralove 1-2. Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 36, 2. Slavia Praha 26, 3. Brno 24, 4. Olomouc 24, 5. Liberec 24, 6. Drnovice 22, 7. Ostrava 22, 8. Jablonec 21, 9. Teplice 19, 10. Opava 19, 11. Dukla 19, 12. Hradec Kralove 19, 13. Zizkov 16, 14. Ceske Budejovice 16, 15. Plzen 12, 16. Bohdanec 7. David Kozohorsky/Mirek Langer Vitkovice Leads Hockey Extraleague Again An earthquake occurred in the ice hockey extraleague standings after the 28th and 29th rounds. Vitkovice defeated both Litvinov and Opava, while its rival Trinec got only one point for its tie in Ceske Budejovice and fell to third place. Slavia has played eight matches without a loss and moved up to fourth place. Its goalkeeper Blazek has allowed only one goal in the last three matches. Second-place Vsetin has a no-loss streak of eight games, as well. Results: 28th round: Litvinov - Vitkovice 5-6, Trinec - Ceske Budejovice 4-4, Opava - Kladno 2-2, Plzen - Vsetin 0-1, Zlin - Jihlava 0-2, Slavia Praha - Karlovy Vary 6-0, Pardubice - Sparta Praha 2-2. 29th round: Vsetin - Pardubice 6-3, Jihlava - Litvinov 2-1, Karlovy Vary - Zlin 3-6, Kladno - Plzen 3-3, Ceske Budejovice - Slavia Praha 1-3, Sparta Praha - Trinec 4-2, Opava - Vitkovice 1-2. Standings: 1. Vitkovice 40, 2. Vsetin 39, 3. Trinec 38, 4. Slavia Praha 33, 5. Litvinov 32, 6. Sparta Praha 32, 7. Plzen 32, 8. Jihlava 29, 9. Pardubice 28, 10. Zlin 26, 11. Ceske Budejovice 24, 12. Kladno 22, 13. Karlovy Vary 17, 14. Opava 14. Ondrej Hanzal/Mirek Langer WEATHER Well, here we go. Not even the sun wants to come out and see Klaus. It has been raining since the end of the last week and the word "sewer" has become a symbol for rescue from drowning in the streets. I guess Prague has a great chance to hold the swimming world championships. And when we consider nighttime temperatures approach 0 degrees Celsius/32 degrees Farenheit, Prague could very easily turn into the world's largest ice rink. What luck we have the government crisis and we can write about something else. Jaroslav Mares/Jana Ciglerova 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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