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 285, Friday, April 17, 1998. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 8 - April 15) NATO Membership Approved Parliament's Chamber of Deputies April 15 approved the Czech Republic's membership in NATO. All present deputies from the former ruling coalition parties - the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), the Freedom Union (US) and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) - plus Social Democrat deputies supported NATO membership with 154 votes against 38 neo-Fascist Republicans and Communists. Seven deputies did not take part in the vote. Deputies launched their session in the lower house of Parliament April 14 with a final reading of the government proposal. Opening the debate, Foreign Minister Jaroslav Sedivy told the assembly the future of the county lay in their hands. Then the Communist and Republican deputies expressed their strong opposition to NATO membership. Czech artists and students staged a demonstration in favor of NATO membership on Prague's Castle Square. Demonstrators dressed as Nazi and Soviet troops and a Russian army tank was brought in to remind deputies of not-so-distant Czech history. Mostly older people came to demonstrate their negative opinion of NATO membership in front of the Chamber building. The Czech Republic's move toward joining the ratification treaty is to be approved by the Senate and signed by the president. The ratification process should conclude April 4, 1999 in Washington, D.C. with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty by the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary on the occasion of NATO's 50th anniversary. Reactions: Sedivy: "I am very happy about the results of the vote. We have sent a very positive signal abroad." Milos Zeman, Chamber of Deputies and Social Democrat chairman: "The positives and negatives heard in the debate could have been communicated to the people in an information campaign which could have led to a referendum." Zdenek Klanica, vice chairman of the Communist Party: "NATO membership is a step back. When the Warsaw Pact was annulled, we all thought NATO would be cancelled, too. Its expansion is not good for the European security system." Jana Ciglerova/Jana Ciglerova Emergency Surgery for President Havel A perforation of the colon and inflammation of the peritoneum put President Vaclav Havel's life in danger while he was on private Easter trip in Austria with his wife Dagmar. After suffering from fever and stomach pain, Havel called in an Austrian physician April 14 who decided to transport the president by helicopter to Innsbruck Hospital, where an emergency surgery lasted three hours. At that night's press conference, Austrian surgeon Ernst Bodner said Havel's life was no longer in danger. However, there is still the possibility of post-operation complications, which are common after such colon problems, according to Miroslav Cerbak, head of the physicians' consilium responsible for the president's healthcare. Therefore Havel will remain under the surveillance of Austrian doctors for some time and transport to Prague will not be considered for at least two weeks. Surgeon Bodner said immediately after the surgery that the perforation of the colon had no connection to Havel's previous health problems. In 1996 part of Havel's right lung was removed because of a malignant tumor, and some doctors suggested that the intestinal problems could have been caused by cancer. Although this week's surgery and later tests did not confirm the cancer hypothesis, it cannot yet be ruled out. Ondrej Drabek/Milan Smid Prime Minister Tosovsky Says No to Meeting with Union Leaders Prime Ministr Josef Tosovsky cancelled a meeting with representatives of 10 trade union associations planned for April 9. He rejected negotiations on wage demands because of the demonstration of about 3,000 state employees in front of the Office of the Government April 7. The demonstration was organized by the Union of the Prague Financial Directorate together with the Union Association of Public Servants, and it was supported by the Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Unions (CMKOS). The tax office public servants protested against the lowering of their wages - last year's cuts represented a 7 per cent decrease - and asked for legislative conditions and security guarantees against their maltreatment while executing their office. Union associations asked the prime minister to change his attitude and to come to the negotiating table. Tosovsky, however, perceived the demonstration just before the meeting as improper pressure on him and was not going to yield. According to the daily MF DNES, also Ivan Pilip, the minister of finance and thus responsible for the tax bureaus, sided with the prime minister. Pilip described the union's behavior as a little peculiar, although he said he sees the point of the demonstration's demands. On the other hand, the CMKOS Chairman Richard Falbr described the prime minister's attitude as offended vanity, and labelled the Cabinet decision as unfortunate and foolish. Alena Vondrova, the leader of the public protest, also said she did not feel inappropriate in supporting union demands two days before the official negotiation with a public demonstration. Lenka Vochocova/Milan Smid Charles University Awards Honorary Doctorates and Commemorative Medals As part of the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the April 7, 1348 founding of Charles University, 19 world-renowned scientists and artists were presented honorary doctorates April 8. Leading European history expert Jacques Le Goff, one of those honored, gave a speech on Christianity in the Middle Ages/Europe - Today and Tomorrow at the ceremony at the university's College of Humanities, where 400 students were present. He noted the similarities between the past and the present and he emphasized the need to open this multicultural region. Doctorates were also awarded to British pathologist and virologist Anthony Epstein, to his fellow countryman, mathematician Michael Atiyah, to German biochemist Norbert Hilschmann and also to Russian writer Oleg Malevic. Four more honorary doctorates should be awarded this year, and James Watson, Nobel prizewinning discoverer of DNA, is thought to be among the recipients. Also, 87 commemorative medals were awarded April 9. There will be another 200 commemorative and some 1,000 anniversary medals awarded during the year. Paula Majorova/Magda Vanova Social Democrats Introduces Economic Program The Program of the Republic's Economic Future, which the Social Democrats presented April 9, promises voters growth up to 8 per cent. This goal, however, is conditional on limiting efforts to reduce inflation. Vice Chairman of the Social Democrats' Economic Commission Jan Mladek spoke in support of the party's economic vision: "I would not consider it unfortunate if, with economic growth, inflation was in future years within the range planned for this year, 12 per cent." Many economists do not agree. "Reducing inflation is a basic condition for long-term economic growth," said Investment and Postal Bank (IPB) chief analyst Miroslav Soucek. Economists say the Social Democrats could ensure the country greater economic growth only with the help of foreign loans which would cover deficits in public-sector budgets. The Social Democrats want to support foreign investment with various tax breaks. Unlike past programs, the Social Democrats are not now advocating import tariffs, which would be used only in crisis situations. Imports should be decreased by measures commonly used in the EU, such as certification. The Social Democrats made clear to voters that if victorious in the upcoming elections they would give preferential treatment to industry ahead of services. Their opinion is that industry must become the motor of the Czech economy. The capital market could expect a further reduction in the number of securities traded. David Kozohorsky/Michael Bluhm Canada Gives First Asylum to Czech Romanies The hopes of a Romany (Gypsy) family of 20 members which left the Czech Republic last year looking to gain asylum in Canada were fulfilled. From the thousands of Czech Romanies waiting in Canada, the family of Gejza Horvath, 54, became the first to gain asylum status. The Canadian Council for Immigrants and Refugees made the decision at the end of last week. The Council said it considered the Romanies' fears of racially motivated persecution substantiated. "People on the streets call Romanies blackface and spread hateful slogans against them," said the Canadian Foreign Office April 14. Government Minister and Chairman of the Inter-Ministry Commission for Romany Affairs Vladimir Mlynar said he considers the decision bad news for the Czech Republic. He said that a country from which people leave and gain asylum in democratic ones is not in a good situation. According to Horvath's lawyer George Kubes, the acceptance of their asylum applications will set a precedent and lead to the acceptance of further applications from Czech Romanies by Canada. The first asylum since last year's exodus of Romanies from the Czech Republic was given in February by Great Britain to a family of three. After the four-year asylum, members of the family can apply for permanent residence. Petr Bilek Jr./Sofia Karakeva NEWS IN BRIEF * Former Czech ambassador to Sweden Petr Kolar, who in November started the scandal concerning Civic Democratic Party (ODS) financing, is to become next week an adviser to the chief of the President's Office for European Integration Affairs. * The title of Oil Gobbler of the Year (Ropak roku), given annually by the Children of the Earth association to those who, according to a 100-member jury, have had the most merit in harming the environment, went April 10 to Moravia River Basin manager Stanislav Novotny. * Anton Malloth, a Nazi war criminal and former guard in the Terezin work camp now living in Germany, is not a German citizen, according to new research, and can be given to Czech justice. Justice Minister Vlasta Parkanova said the Czech Republic will ask for Malloth's extradition. * Starting July 1, retirees will be better off each month by an average of 380 crowns. The Cabinet April 14 approved valorization of 7.3 per cent, the maximum possible under the restrictions of decreasing the budget by more than 500 million crowns. Ondrej Hanzal/Denisa Vitkova FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF * The Slovak National Party (SNS) launched a petition demanding the restoration of the death penalty and a declaration of neutrality. Slovak Premier Vladimir Meciar distanced himself from the petition, saying in an interview for Slovak Radio that "the restoration of the death penalty is not in accordance with Slovak law. It is an SNS initiative and not one of the government I head." Among the first to sign the petition were Slovak Defense Minister Jan Sitek, SNS Chairman Jan Slota and Education Minister Eva Slavkovska. * Jozef Kroslak, spokesman for Premier Vladimir Meciar, gave up his position April 9, one day after Slovak media made public his statement on the Twist radio station when he answered a question concerning why Meciar's consultant Blazena Martinkova left by saying, "And why do you give up your lovers?" * The pro-government daily Slovak Republic appealed to the Slovak government to prevent the holding of a referendum in Sturovo on direct presidential election and NATO membership. Sturovo leaders decided to keep the original April 19 date for the referendum announced by former Slovak President Michal Kovac, despite the government having called off the plebiscite after taking over some presidential powers. Premier Vladimir Meciar emphatically rejected the newspaper's call April 14. Prokop Havel/Ivona Pulkrabkova ECONOMY IMF Gives Positive Evaluation of Czech Economy The growth of Central and Eastern European economies should this year increase to 2.9 per cent from last year's 1.7 per cent, according to estimates from the International Monetary Fund. For the Czech Republic, budget restraint and wage discipline, which would keep the current accounts balance at an acceptable deficit, are of key importance, said Jiri Jonas, adviser to the IMF executive director. The IMF recommends strengthening the banking system and restructuring industry, and projects 1998 Czech Republic growth at 2.2 per cent with 11-per-cent inflation. Prime Minister Josef Tosovsky and Finance Minister Ivan Pilip will attend the session of the IMF and the World Bank to be held in Washington. Gabi Pecic, Ajla Zinhasovic/Michael Bluhm Skoda No Laughing Matter Anymore The annual automobile survey done by the BBC and market research firm J. D. Power showed Skoda Felicia as the best-selling car in Britain. Felicia is the first non-Japanese car to have won the survey in five years. Customers rated the frequency of technical malfunctions, performance and service. Felicia overwhelmingly won the first two categories and drivers declared improvement in all of them since last year. This might be the end to well-known British jokes about Skoda, and perhaps the Brits will forget what happened about 10 years ago, when a Skoda 120 was tested and all four wheels fell off. Jaroslav Mares/Matej Cerny Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from April 17) country currency ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 21.791 Belgium 100 BEF 89.969 Great Britain 1 GBP 56.572 Denmark 1 DKK 4.868 ECU 1 XEU 36.798 Finland 1 FIM 6.114 France 1 FRF 5.535 Ireland 1 IEP 46.794 Italy 1000 ITL 18.779 Japan 100 JPY 25.542 Canada 1 CAD 23.327 Luxemburg 100 LUF 89.969 IMF 1 XDR 45.255 Hungary 100 HUF 15.896 Netherland 1 NLG 16.482 Norway 1 NOK 4.460 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.528 Poland 1 PLN 9.846 Portugal 100 PTE 18.118 Austria 1 ATS 2.638 Greece 100 GRD 10.669 Germany 1 DEM 18.560 Slovakia 100 SKK 96.166 Slovenia 100 SIT 19.930 Spain 100 ESP 21.857 Sweden 1 SEK 4.313 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.293 USA 1 USD 33.537 CULTURE IN BRIEF * The fifth-annual European Films Days Festival will take place in Prague April 15-24. The Czech Republic will be represented by the films Cesta Pustym Lesem and Buttoners (Knoflikari), both of which received the Czech Lion award for film excellence. More than 30 feature films will be screened, including the Dutch film Character, this year's Oscar-winner for best foreign-language film, and the Spanish film The Gardener's Dog, based on Lope de Vega's drama. * Czech Television April 11 showed the four-minute animated short Geri's Game by Prague-born Jan Pinkava. The film won the Oscar for the best animated short film. The director came to Prague to celebrate the win April 8. Pinkava used the same computer animation that was used for the film Toy Story to make his film. * The new Czech film Traps, Traps, Little Traps (Pasti, pasti, pasticky) had its premiere April 16. The film is a pessimistic feminist black comedy about rape by director Vera Chytilova, who has not shot anything since the comedy The Inheritance (Dedictvi aneb Kurvahosigutntag). The film features Tomas Hanak and David Vavra, actors from the Basement Theater (Divadlo Sklep), who also acted in Chytilova's drama about AIDS, Hokey Pokey (Kopytem sem, kopytem tam). The lead role in the new film is played by Miroslav Donutil. * DJ Westbam, legend of Berlin techno part of the group Members of Mayday, gave a concert in Prague's Roxy club April 10. Westbam's last album is called We'll Never Stop Livin' This Way and he certainly will not. He gave this concert, his third in Prague, from 3:30 a.m. till 5 a.m.. Pavel Turek/Matej Cerny SPORTS Hockey Extraleague: Vsetin Champion, Opava Remains Vsetin became the winner of the ice-hockey extraleague for the fourth time in a row. After 5-1 and 4-1 home-ice wins, it managed to close out a three-game sweep in the finals in Trinec (3-1). Jiri Dopita, one of the most valuable players and top scorers in the playoffs, scored the winning goal. Vsetin moved into the extraleague in the 1995-96 season, and since then no season has finished other than with a title for the team. Only one other team has managed to win the league four times in a row (Dukla Jihlava between 1982-85). The Opava team stayed in the extraleague by winning all four remaining matches in its series against Znojmo after losing the first three. In the seventh match of the series, Opava defeated Znojmo 6-0 at home. In the play for the third place, Sparta choked in the first match, losing to Vitkovice 4-9 on its own ice. After that debacle, the Sparta management gave the fans their money back. Although Vitkovice lost in the rematch 1-2, on the aggregate score it finished third. Final standings of the extraleague: 1. Petra Vsetin 2. Zelezarny Trinec 3. Vitkovice 4. Sparta Praha 5. Keramika Plzen 6. Slavia Praha 7. Chemopetrol Litvinov 8. Pojistovna IPB Pardubice 9. Dukla Jihlava 10. Ceske Budejovice 11. Barum ZPS Zlin 12. Velvana Kladno 13. Becherovka Karlovy Vary 14. Bohemex Trade Opava Michal Cerny/Mirek Langer National Team Starts Preparation for World Championships The Czech national team started its preparation for the May hockey World Championships, which will take place in Switzerland. It will play two warm-up matches against Finland, then will start in the Swedish Games and then will meet Canada once. Coaches Ivan Hlinka and Slavomir Lener invited 18 players to the first training in Litvinov April 14. The Olympic gold medalists will be filled out for the matches in Finland by Moravec and Simicek (both from Vitkovice), Spacek (Farjestad) and Libor Prochazka (AIK Stockholm). Olympic gold medal holder Caloun from IFK Helsinki will probably miss out because he had been bitten by a tick last summer and doctors are afraid of boreliosa. Because of his absence the coaches nominated Trinec's Kantor and Kadera. "Two new formations will go to Sweden and there the basis of the team for the championships should be created," Lener said. Other eight players from Trinec and Vsetin, which played in the extraleague final, will be on the team in the Swedish Games, where they will meet Patera from AIK Stockholm and some NHL players like Reichel, Dvorak and probably Martin Prochazka. "We are also thinking about players from Ottawa, Edmonton and Carolina. However, we have not spoken with anyone yet," Lener added. Jiri Polak/Mirek Langer Slavia Loses Second Consecutive Game, Sparta Closes in on Title Slavia Praha added a third match without a win to its string of bad luck, losing in Teplice 1-3. Teplice's forward Verbir assisted on all three goals. Sparta battered Drnovice 4-0 and leads the standings with a 13-point cushion ahead of Slavia, meaning the league's title will probably stay with Sparta. The scoreless tie between Olomouc and Ostrava did not decide the fight to qualify for the UEFA Cup. Results of the 23rd round: Teplice - Slavia Praha 3-1, Sparta Praha - Drnovice 4-0, Olomouc - Ostrava 0-0, Ceske Budejovice - Dukla 0-0, Jablonec - Opava 2-2, Hradec Kralove - Brno 1-1, Zizkov - Bohdanec 1-0, Plzen - Liberec 0-0. Jan Kozanek/Mirek Langer WEATHER Four minutes before 1 p.m. on April 12, southern Bohemia was shaken by a small earthquake. The area around Lublana, Slovenia was struck by an earthquake of 5.8 degrees on the Richter scale, while a smaller ripple arrived in the Czech Republic. Cold wind, a little snow around Vsetin and quite low temperatures for this time of year characterized the week's weather, which really did not provide a shock to Czech politicians. They are getting used to unsure ground under their feet as the elections approach. Hotter days are expected. Lenka Jindrlova/Sofia Karakeva English version edited by Michael 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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