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) 22 112 252, fax: (+4202) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 301, Friday, September 11, 1998. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (August 26 - September 9) Zeman and Klaus Commemorated Second Czech President Edvard Benes Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Parliament Chairman Vaclav Klaus, leaders of the two strongest political parties in the country, attended the September 3 commemoration of the 50th anniversary of second Czechoslovak President Edvard Benes' death in Sezimovo Usti. According to the daily Lidove noviny, Zeman described Benes as the one of the greatest Czech politicians who had to face up to the greater strength of the world's powerful, and who had no chance to behave other than as he did. Klaus complimented Benes as a man whose deeds had a decisive impact on the destiny of the Czechoslovak state and who hardly has an equal in modern Czech history. Klaus described him as a master of political strategy and diplomacy whose tactical concepts did not stand the test of time and who was cornered by the tide of events into extreme situations where he twice had to capitulate (Munich 1938, February 1948). Klaus recalled the fact that Benes' legacy is still the subject of lively debate and the controversies over the definitive evaluation have importance in domestic and foreign policy. Benes (1884-1948) was the Czechoslovak President in 1935-38 and 1945-48. After the Munich agreement in 1938 he resigned and left for the USA. Later, during the Second World War, he led the Czech exile government in London. In February 1948 he enabled the Communist takeover by accepting under great pressure the resignations of the democratically elected ministers. However, he refused to sign the new Czechoslovak Constitution, and resigned for a second time June 7, 1948. He was a leading diplomat in the pre-war League of Nations, where he was a member of the LN Council in 1923-1927 and chairman of the Security Council 1927-1938. ODS Not Preparing to Cancel Opposition Contract with Social Democrats After an hourlong meeting with Prime Minister Milos Zeman in Sezimovo Usti September 3, Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Chairman Vaclav Klaus announced that his party was not preparing to cancel the Opposition Contract which enabled Zeman's Social Democrats to create a minority government. Speculation about the end of the agreement began when ODS mebers began criticizing the Social Democrats' aim to investigate managers of companies with some state ownership and threatened to cancel the contract. Small Parties Sign Coalition The Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL), the Freedom Union (US), the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) and the Democratic Union (DEU) September 1 signed an agreement to create an election coalition for the fall Senate and local elections. According to a joint statement, the main goal of the coalition is to prevent a constitutional majority in the Senate for the country's two largest parties - the Social Democrats and the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). The Opposition Contract sifned by those two parties after the early elections (see Carolina 297) means a division of all political power between the two parties. Christian Democrat Chriarman Josef Lux said a true parliamentary democracy needs a true opposition, not a contractual one. ODA Chairman Daniel Kroupa and DEU Chairman Ratibor Majzlik, whose parties are not represented in Parliament, said the coalition agreement might be the first step toward merging the four parties. The coalition agreement provides for a common ballot and full support for Senate candidates, a bi-monthly meeting of all four chairmen and the creation of a common ODA and US Senate club. President Havel Recuperating in Lany, Preparing for Trip to USA After more than a month in the hospital, President Vaclav Havel was released August 28. Havel is reconvalescing at the Lany Chateau under doctors' care and is preparing for his five-day trip to the USA, scheduled to begin September 15 (a trip to Great Britain is planned for the second half of October). Because of his health problems Havel gave up his annual visit on the first day of school to wish a random group of students success. Havel had been in the Central Military Hospital in Prague since July 23, and July 26 Austrian surgeon Ernst Bodner removed Havel's colostomy. Havel remained in the hospital longer than expected because of breathing problems and heart arrythmia. After deadline: Reuters September 9 announced that Havel is among the candidates for the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize. The agency wrote that Havel's candidacy is aided by the 30th anniversary of the invasion of the former Czechoslovakia by Warsasw Pact armies. Prime Minister Zeman Wants to Leave Politics within Four Years Prime Minister Milos Zeman announced September 7, less than two months after becoming prime minister of the Social Democrats' minority government, that he intends to leave poltiics within four years. The 54-year-old Zeman said he will leave the politcal stage and take early retirement. Zeman said politicians never know the right time to leave: "Politicians consider themselves irreplaceable. There are no irreplaceable politicians." The prime minister also said he takes his exit as a challenge to other party politicians. Members of the government and the party have been retrained in their comments. Vice Chairman of the Social Democrats' Parliamentary club Lubomir Zaoralek said he does not consider Zeman's decision definitive. He said it was not the first time Zeman has talked about politicians being replaceable. According to current retirement legislation, Zeman will have the right to claim retirement benefits from the state in March 2003. Radio Free Europe Broadcasting from Prague to Iran Delayed Radio Free Europe did not begin broadcasting to Iran from Prague September 1 as planned, and the beginning of transmissions will likely fall near the end of the month. Programming will be handled by 12 journalists in a villa in Prague's Bubenec neighborhood. RFE Administrative Director Jan Obrman September 1 refused to comment on the position of the government, which August 26 said it would change nothing in the decision of the previous government to allow broadcasting to Iran. The government has, however, expressed fears over the security risks associated with broadcasting, which the previous government did not fully appreciate. Czech companies have expressed fears that the broadcasting will endanger their business interests in Iran. In the case of Iraq the government is still waiting for a request for permission to broadcast. Criticism of the government's waffling has been fulsome. Former Foreign Minister Josef Zielienec, in a letter to Prime Minister Milos Zeman, wrote that the government's position might call into question the basic foreign policy direction of the country. "Say loudly that you want the station to broadcast from our territory," wrote Zielienec. Petr Uhl Is New Government Deputy for Human Rights Prime Minister Milos Zeman's government named journalist Petr Uhl the government deputy for human rights September 9. Former dissident Uhl co-founded the alternative news agency Eastern European Information Agency (VIA) in 1988, and between 1990-92 he was director of the Czech Press Agency (CTK). He is currently a commentator for the daily Pravo. Ecology Demonstration Local Street Party, This Time without Violence About 3,000 primarily young people participated in the Local Street Party demonstration August 29 in Prague, which was directed against economic globalization and the worsening environment in the capital city. Organizers and media commentators agree the event, which took place under a massive police surveillance, was unexpectedly peaceful. The windows of McDonald's restaurants survived the demonstration fully intact, unlike the Global Street Party (see Carolina 290). Milan Srejber Accused of Misusing Insider Information According to a Czech Television report September 2, former tennis player and businessman Milan Srejber was accused of abuse of insider information. Srejber allegedly made for his Srejber Tennis Investing company 14 million crowns illegally by making financial machinations based on publicly unavailable information. Srejber confessed to sponsoring the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) under false names during the investigation of the ODS financial scandal. Strougal's Responsibility for Silence about Chernobyl Investigated The Department of Documentation and Investigation of Communism Crimes is reviewing available materials and depositions to determine if former Czechoslovak Prime Minister Lubomir Strougal did not violate the law in connection with dissemination of information about the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. According to department speaker Tomas Hornof, the criminal responsibility of other government members was reviewed earlier and rejected. Government Will Try to Get Lottery Act Right According to the European Union, the Lottery Act, which came into effect September 1, restricts the participation of foreign companies in consumer competitions. Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Rychetsky vowed the Czech Republic will try to correct the law. ECONOMY Nominal Wages Increase in First Six Months, Real Wages Drop The average Czech wage increased to 11,118 crowns per month after the first six months of 1998 (904 crowns per month more than in 1997), but the real wages of the populace declined by 3.6 per cent, according to information released by the Czech Statistical Office September 1. It is expected that the decline will most affect the sectors of retail, transportation and services. The best-paid workers are in the banking sector, where the average monthly wage is 20,451 crowns (up by 2,678 crowns monthly). State employees, teachers and healthcare workers had their nominal wages decreases by 1.4 per cent (teachers now make an average of 9,151 crowns per month, down 139 crowns monthly), because they were not paid their usual bonuses. Labor Minister Vladimir Spidla agreed Septmeber 3 with leaders of the state employees' union on a 17-per-cent raise from January. The compromise (the union wanted a 20-per-cent increase, the government 13), will mean an increase of 9 billion crowns in budget expenses. After deadline: The government Septmeber 9 approved the 17-per-cent increase. Unemployment Continues to Grow The number of unemployed Czechs is growing more quickly than experts predicted. Labor offices showed 6.4 per cent of the working population unemployed at the end of August, meaning 330,024 unemployed people. The unemployed for the period are in large part made up of new graduates from all levels of education. The growth of unemployment hit all regions of the country, while the highest unemployment rate of 14.7 per cent belongs to the northern Bohemia region of Most. Inflation Rate Declines For the first time since 1990 the monthly rate of inflation was less than zero, as the prices of consumer goods in August declined by 0.2 per cent from July. Vegetables, potatoes, fruits and fuels were cheaper. The cause was not economic growth, but the reality that consumers have less money and retailers are forced to reduce prices. The crown continued to gain and September 8 was trading at 17.63 crowns to the deutschmark. The negative inflation, experts say, is causing a decrease in interest rates, which should lead to a correction for the crown. Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (Valid from September 10, 1998) country curerency --------------------------------- Australia 1 AUD 17.791 Belgium 100 BEF 85.526 Great Britain 1 GBP 50.669 Denmark 1 DKK 4.634 ECU 1 XEU 34.714 Finland 1 FIM 5.799 France 1 FRF 5.261 Ireland 1 IEP 44.206 Italy 1000 ITL 17.870 Japan 100 JPY 22.478 Canada 1 CAD 20.055 Luxembrug 100 LUF 85.526 IMF 1 XDR 41.569 Hungary 100 HUF 13.737 Netherlands 1 NLG 15.632 Norway 1 NOK 3.949 New Zealand 1 NZD 15.417 Poland 1 PLN 8.477 Portugal 100 PTE 17.204 Austria 1 ATS 2.507 Greece 100 GRD 10.298 Germany 1 DEM 17.645 Slovakia 100 SKK 86.446 Slovenia 100 SIT 18.700 Spain 100 ESP 20.762 Sweden 1 SEK 3.818 Switzerland 1 CHF 21.534 USA 1 USD 30.558 CULTURE Josef Lada Exhibition Opens in Prague Castle's Riding School A retrospective exhibit of classic Czech painter and illustrator Josef Lada is open to the public from September 2 to November 29 in the Riding School of the Prague Castle. The exhibit, organized by the National Gallery in cooperation with the Prague Castle Administration and the Gallery company, contains 1,393 drawings, 11 posters, 149 books and journals, prints, calendars, postcards and documents. The main part of exhibit shows Lada as he is publicly known, as the author of idyllic scenes from the Czech country, inspired by Hrusice, where he was born. Lada did not have an academic artistic education and was further burdened by a physical handicap (he was blind in one eye, and as such the traditional conception of perspective is missing in his drawings). However, Lada became a renowned illustrator and a true national artist. He garnered worldwide appreciation - Pablo Picasso called Lada the strongest personality in Czech modern art. A separate section of the exhibit is devoted to illustrations to Jaroslav Hasek's books, including The Good Soldier Schweik. Lada is less known as the author of political caricature, which is also presented here. In connection with the exhibit, a monograph about Lada was published. Respect 98 Prague citizens and visitors had a unique chance to see the Romany (Gypsy) folklore at the end of this century between September 4-6. The international festival of Romany culture RESPECT 98, organized by the Respekt weekly and the Rachot agency, began with a concert in the Prague Palace Akropolis, presenting the Czech group Kale with Vera Bila, the folk music J. Suk Bartos and French band Swing Gadje, whose winsome music opens the darkest corners of sadness in the Romany spirits. The second concert, on the stage of the Prague Castle's Riding School, was opened by the French artists. The concert, caught by rains, was even more exciting than the first one, thanks to the Spanish flamenco ensemble Grupo Ana la China, Romanian Taraf de Haidouks and Kocani Orkestar from Macedonia. The festival was closed by Toni Gatliff's movie Latcho Drom showing. Best World Photos Shown in Prague The World Press Photo exhibit of award-winning journalist photographs of 1997 is being held between September 4-27 in the Ambit Gallery in Prague. The Czech press noted the success of Czech photographer Antonin Kratochvil, who has been living in the United States since the 70's and won the Portraits category with his series on American actor Willem Dafoe. SPORTS Czech Soccer Players Begin Euro 2000 Qualification with Close Win Unusual conditions welcomed the Czech team in Toftir in the Faroe Islands September 6, where it began qualification for the Euro 2000. A heavy fog hid quite a good game, marked by the defensive tactics of the home team and a bit of unfair play. The Czech team's first goal in the 33rd minute was not allowed because Lokvenc was offside. After the break the Czech pressure grew and was not stopped after Nedved was ejected in the 85th minute. The Czech players returned the ball into play immediately and Smicer scored. The home team protested that the Czechs should give them the ball back after it was kicked out of bounds to allow treatment for an injured player. The Czechs answered that the Faroe players did not deserve a gentlemanly gesture, because they delayed the game and fouled constantly. Squad: Postulka - Votava - Rada, Suchoparek - Poborsky (81st minute Latal), Bejbl (81st minute Sloncik), Nemec, Nedved, Cizek (55th minute Berger) - Smicer, Lokvenc. Standings in the 9th qualification group: 1. Estonia 4 points/2 matches, 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina 4/2, 3. Czech Republic 3/1, 4.eq Scotland and Lithuania 1/1, 6. Faroe Islands 0/3. Jana Novotna And Cyril Suk Save Honor of Czech Tennis in US Open Only Jana Novotna made it through the second round in the US Open Championships in New York, and has advanced to the semifinal, where she will meet world number-one, Slovak national Martina Hingis of Switzerland. As a doubles team, the two are also in the doubles' final. Cyril Suk, together with Australia's Stolle, advanced to the men's doubles' final. Petr Korda's loss to Germany's Karbacher in the first round was the biggest Czech disappointment. Also Nemeckova, Richterova, Kleinova and Novak lost in the first round, while Dosedel, Ulihrach, Damm, Hrdlickova and Bobkova were bounced in the second. Czechs Win Four Medals in Canoeing World Championships Two-time Olympic champion Martin Doktor renewed his membership in the world canoe elite by winning two individual medals (gold in the 200 meters and silver in the 1,000 meters) in the flat water canoeing World Championships in Szeged, Hungary. The four-man canoe team of Prochazka, Krivanek, Fuksa and Kozisek added another unexpected gold in the 200-meter race, Doktor then shared with Netusil, Machac and Jirasky in winning one last medal - a bronze for in the 1,000 meters. Hockey National Team Finishes Third in the Czech Insurance Cup The Czech national team started its new season with two wins over Slovakia. Moreover, it did not allow Slovakia to score a goal for the third game in a row. The Czechs scored early goals - three goals in the first two minutes of both matches. Czech Republic - Slovakia 2-0 (Ujcik, Hlavac; in Trinec) and 5-0 (Belohlav, Kratena, Kadera, Stepanek, Kaberle; in Vsetin). A less succesful outing in the Czech Insurance (Ceska pojistovna) Cup in Zlin followed. After two ties and an opening loss to Finland, the Czech team finished third. Results: Czech Republic - Finland 1-2 (Patera - Ikonen, Ruuttu), Czech Republic - Russia 3-3 (Dopita, Hlavac, Vyborny - Boutsayev, Afinogenov, Kudashov), Czech Republic - Sweden 0-0. Standings: 1. Sweden, 2. Finland, 3. Czech Republic, 4. Russia. Hockey Extraleague Starts with Reigning Champion's Loss Reigning champion Slovnaft Vsetin's surprising 0-2 loss to Pardubice inaugurated the new year of the Staropramen Extraleague. Both goals were scored by young forward Kudrna. Results: Plzen - Zlin 1-1, Vitkovice - Trinec 3-4, Ceske Budejovice - Sparta Praha 2-2, Slavia Praha - Kladno 6-2, Litvinov - Opava 3-0, Jihlava - Karlovy Vary 2-3, Vsetin - Pardubice 0-2. Zizkov Soccer Players Defeat Slavia after 60 Years Viktoria Zizkov players found historic success in the fourth round of the Gambrinus Soccer League, defeating Slavia 2-1, 60 years after their last victory over Slavia. Slavia continues to play poorly. Sparta leads the standings after a 4-2 win against Opava. In the northern Bohemian derby between Jablonec and Liberec, the home field was decisive for Jablonec. Results: Jablonec - Liberec 1-0, Brno - Teplice 0-3, Plzen - Karvina 3-2, Olomouc - Dukla 0-0, Sparta Praha - Opava 4-2, Hradec Kralove - Drnovice 3-1, Ostrava - Blsany 2-2, Zizkov - Slavia Praha 2-1. Standings: 1. Sparta 10, 2. Hradec Kralove 7, 3. Olomouc 7, 4.-5. Blsany a Teplice 7, 6. Drnovice 7, 7. Ostrava 6, 8. Opava 6, 9. Plzen 6, 10. Liberec 5, 11. Zizkov 4, 12. Slavia 4, 13. Karvina 4, 14. Jablonec 3, 15. Dukla 1, 16. Brno 1. SPORTS IN BRIEF * Soccer goalkeeper Petr Kouba, former national team member on the Euro 1996 runners-up, who vainly tried to make a name abroad (La Coruna, Kaiserslautern), will play for Viktoria Zizkov till the end of year. * Czech teams' opponents in the first round of European soccer cups: UEFA Cup: Slavia Praha - Schalke 04 (Germany), Sparta Praha - Real Sociedad San Sebastian (Spain), Sigma Olomouc - Olympique Marseille (France). Cup Winners Cup: FK Jablonec - Apollon Limassol (Cyprus). * Top world triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain, the first man who jumped regularly more than 18 meters, will train with coach Jan Pospisil's team, where javelin-thrower Jan Zelezny trains, as well. * Helena Fuchsova finished fifth in the 400-meter run in the Grand Prix final event in Moscow. * Eva Celbova and Sona Dosoudilova won the beach volleyball European Championships in Rhodos, Greece. * Marek Svec won the silver medal in the wrestling World Championships in the 97-kilogram category, losing to Russia's Koguashvili in the final. * Josef Dressler became the Masters category world champion in cyclotrial. * The Prague match between world chess champion Garry Kasparov (Russia) and grandmaster Jan Timman (Netherlands) is Kasparov's preparation for the upcoming World Championships final against Belarus' Shirov. After four games, Kasparov leads 3-1. WEATHER We have been faced eith the unwelcome return of fall, although (supposedly only for a short time) the sun and temperatures of 25 degrees Celsiuis/77 degrees Fahrenheit retuerned. Dear Readers, We sincerely apologize for the absence of Carolina 300, which resulted from an unfortunate coincidence of vacations. Today's Carolina was prepared by Lida Truneckova, Nora Novakova, David Vlk, Michal Cerny and Mirek Langer, and was translated by Langer, Milan Smid and Michael Bluhm. 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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