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: (+420 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+420 2) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 288, Thursday, May 7, 1998. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 29 - May 6) American Senate Accepts Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary in NATO During the night of May 1 (Central European Time) the American Senate expressed, by an overwhelming majority of 80 votes to 19 votes, its agreement with offering NATO membership to the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. The United States became, after Canada, Denmark, Norway and Germany, the fifth country to agree with broadening the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The other 11 member countries are expected to ratify expansion this year. American senators also swept off the table an amendment to impose a three-year moratorium between the first and the second round of NATO expansion. An amendment stating that the three future members should first join the European Union was also rejected. "I consider the result of the voting a historic milestone on the way to an undivided, democratic and peaceful Europe," American President Bill Clinton was quoted as saying in Czech dailies. After the convincing vote it is highly improbable that complications would arise in expanding the Alliance. The only exception is ratification in the Turkish Parliament. Some legislators there want to make NATO expansion conditional on including Turkey in the EU. Nora Novakova/Denisa Vitkova Czech Senators Also Approve NATO Membership The Czech Senate April 30 approved the country's membership in NATO. Sixty-four senators voted in favor of joining, and two Communists and one Social Democrat expressed disagreement with membership. Two senators abstained from voting, and the remaining 12 legislators were not present, either by design or by accident. "It is good that the parliamentary part of the procedure went off relatively fast and with dignity," daily MF DNES quoted the Defense Minister Michal Lobkowicz as saying. Lobkowicz said it is almost impossible that a NATO member country would now reject expansion. The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary should become NATO members at the Alliance's summit in Washington April 4, 1999 (the 50th anniversary of NATO's founding), although they may be co-opted as early as December. Nora Novakova/Denisa Vitkova President Returns Home President Vaclav Havel returned to Prague May 6 after a three-week stay at the Innsbruck Hospital. After his return, the president will be hospitalized for some 10 more days at the Central Army Hospital in Prague. Havel left Innsbruck on a special airplane from the Tyrolean Air Ambulance company. Just before his departure, Havel was visited by Austrian President Thomas Klestil. The president and his wife had been on vacation in Austria when Havel needed emergency surgery April 14 for a perforated colon (see Carolina 285-7). He left the intensive care unit May 4 and made his first public appearance after the surgery, giving thanks first to his doctors and also to the people who had been thinking of him. The Office of the President has cancelled all of Havel's official appearances until the end of May. Professor Ernst Bodner, who operated on Havel three weeks ago, said he does not see any reason why Havel could not return to work in the near future. Ajla Zinhasovic/Ajla Zinhasovic Foreign Minister Sedivy Visits South America Foreign Minister Jaroslav Sedivy left May 2 for a visit to Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil designed to open economic and political cooperation. He met with his Argentinian counterpart Guido di Tella May 3, where they discussed global security and integration processes, which he also took up with Argentinian President Carlos Saul Menem. The Czech Embassy in Cuba is to be re-opened as part of the restoration of relations with Latin America. Pavel Turek/Sofia Karakeva Roman Ceska Resigns as FNM Chairman National Property Fund (FNM) Executive Committee Chairman Roman Ceska announced his resignation May 4. In a letter sent to the FNM presidium and Finance Minister Ivan Pilip, Ceska cited the reasons for his resignation as Parliament's cuts in the FNM's budget, the efforts of some politicians to stop privatization (see Carolina 286) and abuse their positions in state-controlled companies. "The socialist-lobbyist decision of the current government to transfer the Trebon spas without compensation to the the city, or the proposal from (Christian Democrat) Minister (of Agriculture Josef) Lux for the direct sale of the Budvar Brewery, which he wants in any government, are exactly the steps which I do not want to and will not assist," said Ceska. Ceska, who has been chairman for more than four years, will have remain for some months more in the position, because the FNM has no presidium - it was recalled at the Parliament session which cut the fund's budget. Many have connected Ceska's resignation with the state's failures in the Most Coal Company and OKD, where investors were able to buy up a majority despite the FNM controlling more than 45 per cent of the companies' shares. The Social Democrats, who had long criticized Ceska, welcomed his resignation. "I must say it is another in the negative signs concerning the process of privatization," said Pilip. Pilip's party colleague, Freedom Union Chairman Jan Ruml, said "We were never satisfied with Ceska's work, and after the elections the Union will push for the FNM's dissolution." Michal Cerny/Michael Bluhm Zeman Claims Ruml Prepared Conspiracy against Czech Republic's Interests Social Democrat (CSSD) Chairman Milos Zeman has provided the newest pre-election affair. Zeman gave journalists May 4 a letter allegedly written by former Interior Minister and current Freedom Union Chairman Jan Ruml to former intelligence chief Oldrich Cerny, in which Ruml directed the intelligence service to gather foreign reactions to the "abdication of the prime minister after the release of compromising materials, the realization of changes in the leadership of the Chamber of Deputies after intensive media discrediting of the standing parliamentary parties (and) the acceptance of an act calling for early elections." The letter is dated September 4, 1997. Another document, which Zeman did not give journalists, is the alleged minutes of a meeting between Ruml, President Vaclav Havel and Cerny, where they prepared the discrediting of former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and the initiation of the Bamberg affair, in which CSSD leadership is suspected of receiving financial assistance from a Czech-Swedish businessman in return for promises of high state positions (see Carolina 281-3). Zeman gave the documents to police investigator Martin Hadek, who is also investigating the Bamber affair. Ruml denied all the accusations and said Zeman's documents are falsifications, that Zeman is paranoid and should "take a hike." Zeman also gave to journalists another letter which says former Defense Minister Antonin Baudys and his Christian Democrat ministerial colleague Miloslav Vyborny were to discuss the same subjects some 14 days earlier. All Christian Democrats called the letter a fake. Baudys said he had received Zeman's materials 14 days ago, but because it was obvious that they were frauds he took no notice. He also denied corresponding with Vyborny. Social Democrats were evidently disappointed by Zeman's hastiness to present the materials. CSSD security expert Jaroslav Basta said he thinks the documents are fakes but that they were probably made by someone in the intelligence service because of certain official elements. Jan Kozanek/Sofia Karakeva Communist Party Celebrates May Day Thousands of citizens (some estimates claim 15,000), largely retirees, gathered May 1 on Prague's Letna Plain to celebrate May Day and to express their dislike of the government. The event was organized by the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), giving a start to the party's election campaign. During the event all candidates on the party's Prague ballot were introduced, party Chairman Miroslav Grebenicek and others gave speeches. The entertainment portion of the event featured the christening of an album of revolutionary songs (The Labor song (Pisen prace), The Internationale and Onward, Comrades (Vpred, soudrzi)). No incidents with opponents or police were reported. The Social Democrats opened their election campaign May 1 in Usti nad Labem in the midst of beach volleyball and soccer tournaments on the city's main square, which was packed for the events. Usti also hosted May Day celebrations organized by the KSCM and the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, which urged a boycott of the June elections. Jaroslav Mares/Sofia Karakeva Good Will Committee Presents Fourth-Annual Olga Havlova Awards The Olga Havlova Award, presented annually by the Good Will Committee - Olga Havlova Foundation, was given to 30-year-old Olomouc resident Martina Langrova. The award is given to a handicapped person who significantly contributes to helping other handicapped people. Langrova, a sociologist, works in Olomouc's Archdiocese Charity and assists the wheelchair-bound in the Trend civic association. Lenka Vochocova/Michael Bluhm FROM SLOVAKIA Slovakia Still without a President The Slovak National Assembly failed to elect a president in the third round of elections, held April 30. Milan Secansky, candidate of the ruling Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), garnered 72 votes in the 150-seat Assembly, while opposition candidate Brigit Schmognerova received 47 votes. The fourth round will be held May 29. Prokop Havel/Michael Bluhm ECONOMY IN BRIEF * The state budget finished the first third of the year in a 755-million-crown deficit, after the month of April saw a deficit of 8.4 billion crowns. * The Czech Statistics Office released an updated prognosis May 5 predicting 1998 GDP growth of 1.4 per cent, inflation of 12.2 per cent and unemployment in 1999 of 7 per cent. * The Czech crown recorded its highest level since last summer record high May 4, when after heavy trading it was at a level of 18.26 deutschmarks to the crown. Tomas Mls/Michael Bluhm Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from May 7) country currency ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 20.786 Belgium 100 BEF 88.800 Great Britain 1 GBP 53.947 Denmark 1 DKK 4.802 ECU 1 XEU 36.131 Finland 1 FIM 6.028 France 1 FRF 5.462 Ireland 1 IEP 46.031 Italy 1000 ITL 18.561 Japan 100 JPY 24.488 Canada 1 CAD 22.552 Luxemburg 100 LUF 88.800 IMF 1 XDR 43.854 Hungary 100 HUF 15.520 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.257 Norway 1 NOK 4.407 New Zealand 1 NZD 17.825 Poland 1 PLN 9.641 Portugal 100 PTE 17.874 Austria 1 ATS 2.604 Greece 100 GRD 10.540 Germany 1 DEM 18.320 Slovakia 100 SKK 94.671 Slovenia 100 SIT 19.633 Spain 100 ESP 21.559 Sweden 1 SEK 4.263 Switzerland 1 CHF 21.879 USA 1 USD 32.478 CULTURE Master Theodore Not Finished The exhibit of the works of Czech Middle-Ages painter Master Theodore in Prague's St. Agnes Convent, which opened November 13 and was scheduled to end April 26, has been extended because of its popularity until September 17. Theodore was one of the most significant Czech painters of the 14th century, serving as Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV's court painter. His most famous work is the the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Karlstein (Karlstejn), for which he contributed not only paintings and frescos but also designed the decoration of the entire chapel. In addition to paintings from the chapel, the exhibit also features the Relic Cross of the Czech Kingdom. There are supplemental exhibits about Karlstein and Charles IV, about Middle Ages painting, two films about Czech painting in the last quarter of the 14th century and children's works inspired by Theodore. Karolina Kucerova/Michael Bluhm B. B. King Reigns in Prague American bluesman and guitarist B. B. King kept his word and, one year after his last concert here, returned to Prague, where April 28 he showed the locals again how the blues sound. "I'm glad to be here with you again," said King from the stage of the Congress Center. King said he had more free time in Prague than during his last two appearances, but said he spent most of his time at the computer answering e-mail: the 72-year-old Mississippi "King of the Blues" said he is a passionate user of the Internet. Every concert is different for him, King said, with differences in the atmospheres of venues, and he added he is in a different moo every night. There are times when I say things on stage which otherwise I would never talk about, said King, who originally worked as a field hand. His career got off the ground in the 40's, though it was the hit Three O'Clock Blues which brought him popularity in the early 50's. King has worked recently with Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Petr Bilek Jr./Michael Bluhm Ferdinand Peroutka Exhibit in Capek's Strz An exhibit dedicated to Czech journalist and writer Ferdinand Peroutka was opened in Karel Capek's museum in Strz near Dobris, the summer resort of the well-known Czech writer and Peroutka's friend. Peroutka's permanent exhibit in the museum is located in the attic room of the summer villa where Peroutka used to live during his visits in Strz, although the majority of the exhibit - photos, books and memorabilia - is situated in the hall. The most valuable part of the exhibit is the first bound edition of Peroutka's main work, the journalistic and historical The Building of the State (Budovani statu). Many visitors are intrigued by Peroutka's less-than-outstanding school report card. Eva Fronkova/Milan Smid SPORTS Czech Hockey Players Fight with Puck and Injuries The Czech team started the hockey World Championships in Switzerland with an easy 8-2 win against Japan. Two early Radek Belohlav goals broke the Japanese and the game continued at a practice-session pace. Patera also scored two goals, Lubina, Dopita, Moravec and Kucera each added one. Milan Hejduk was bizarrely injured when he was hit in the face by teammate Libor Prochazka's shot and required surgery. The 4-2 Czech win against Belarus was offset by more injuries, suffered by goalkeeper Roman Cechmanek and forward David Moravec. The coaches had to experiment with the squad, with four injured players sitting in the stands. Milan Hnilicka replaced Cechmanek and allowed two goals in two minutes. The Czechs' goals were scored by Martin Prochazka (2), Vyborny and Lubina. The third match was the best for the Czechs as they smashed Germany 8-1. They surprised thousands of German fans and their confident opponents. Belohlav scored twice again, Vykoukal, Kucera, Vyborny, Patera, M. Prochazka and Hlavac filled out the scoring, which was also praised by German coach George Kingston. Three of the injured (Jaroslav Spacek, Hejduk and Cechmanek) watched the match at home in the Czech Republic, while center Petr Sykora and defender Jiri Slegr are coming to Switzerland from the NHL. Erik Tabery/Mirek Langer Sparta Wins Soccer League Title Again, Four Rounds before End of Season After Sparta defeated Hradec Kralove on Hradec's field in a soccer league 26th-round match May 1, we know the name of the new Czech soccer champion. Sparta won the title for the 25th time, and while Sparta players spent the weekend celebrating, other teams fought on for final positions in the standings. Ostrava beat Viktoria Zizkov, Slavia defeated Ceske Budejovice, and two candidates for the UEFA Cup - Jablonec and Liberec - each tallied the full three points. Also the difference between the worst eight teams in the standings (forgetting last-place Bohdanec, already doomed to fall from the league) remained small, so there will be drama until the last round. Results of the 26th round: Slavia Praha - Ceske Budejovice 1-0, Brno - Olomouc 1-1, Drnovice - Plzen 2-0, Opava - Teplice 0-1, Dukla - Jablonec 1-3, Ostrava - Zizkov 6-1, Liberec - Bohdanec 2-0, Hradec Kralove - Sparta Praha 2-0. Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 61 points, 2. Slavia Praha 51, 3. Olomouc 45, 4. Ostrava 43, 5. Jablonec 42, 6. Liberec 41, 7. Teplice 35, 8. Viktoria Zizkov 35, 9. Brno 34, 10. Dukla 32, 11. Drnovice 30, 12. Viktoria Plzen 29, 13. Opava 29, 14. Hradec Kralove 28, 15. Ceske Budejovice 27, 16. Bohdanec 8. Ondrej Hanzal/Mirek Langer Meligeni Wins Tennis Paegas Czech Open in Prague Brazilian 27-year-old Fernando Meligeni won the Prague tennis tournament the Paegas Czech Open, defeating Ctislav Dosedel of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4 May 3. Dosedel defeated Petr Korda, who had been eyeing first place in the world rankings, in the second round. The final match started three hours late due to rain, and Dosedel was handicapped by the flu. Meligeni decided the first set in 20 minutes, getting to a 5-0 lead and controlling the rest of the match. David Kozohorsky/Mirek Langer After Deadline: Semifinals of the Czech Soccer Association Cup: Drnovice - Slavia Praha 2-0, Jablonec - Brno 1-0 (overtime). WEATHER Even though the month of May has already begun, April's weather is still playing with us. Compared to last week, temperatures have decreased. People started wearing coats and sweaters again, and carrying an umbrella can be very useful as well. Students should be satisfied, however, because this is ideal weather for studying for exams, which are just around the corner. During the week, daytime temperatures reached 15 degrees Celsius/59 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures did not rise above 8 degrees Celsius/ degrees Fahrenheit. The sun is no longer smiling at us, because it is hidden all the time behind uncountable clouds. Gabriela Pecic/Gabriela Pecic ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with "CAROLINA" designation. The subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. 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