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 THE CZECH REPUBLIC Charles University in Prague Faculty of Social Sciences Smetanovo nabr. 6 110 01 Prague 1 Czech Republic e-mail: CAROLINA@mbox.fsv.cuni.cz tel: (+4202) 22112252, fax: (+4202) 24810987 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 323, Friday, March 12, 1999. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (March 3 - March 10) Zeman and Schroder Erase Past and Mark New Beginning The first visit of Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman to Germany marked a new beginning in the relation of both countries. Zeman met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder March 8. After a long discussion, Schroder announced that he will no longer consider the case of Sudeten Germans displaced after World War II as to their property claims against the Czech Republic. "The agreement not to burden our relation with the past means that the past is closed and that we will direct ourselves toward the future," said Schroder. Regarding this subject, Zeman in the name of the Czech government distanced the state from the Benes Decrees, which concern the displacement of Sudeten Germans. "In maintaining the continuity of the Czech legal system, the validity of certain legal measures accepted after 1945 has expired," Zeman said. Both statements are regarded as historic and promise more progress in improving relations between the countries. Schroder is to come to Prague September 30. Alena Smrzova/Sofia Karakeva Havel in France Discusses Kosovo Conflict and EU Future Czech President Vaclav Havel met French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and addressed the French Senate during his three-day visit to France March 2-4. He also traveled to Dijon to meet Czech students in the local lyceum, where he recalled famous Czechs like former President Edvard Benes or thespian Jiri Voskovec, who spent their school days there. Aside from his official schedule Havel also commemorated the death of Princess Diana, who was killed in a car accident in Paris 18 months ago. In his address to the upper chamber of the French Parliament Havel said that European institutions should come closer to the common people. According to Havel, this problem could be solved by adopting a clear and simple European Constitution and by introducing a second chamber to the European Parliament - an Assembly of Nations. This particular suggestion brought a mixed response from the Czech Republic. Vaclav Klaus, the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies and head of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), criticized Havel for not consulting such important proposals with the Government beforehand. Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, who was informed about Havel's schedule in France, described the appeal as inspiring. When evaluating his trip, Havel complimented the French role in negotiations on Kosovo autonomy at the Rambouillet Chateau. Havel said it is a positive phenomenon that Europe is taking the initiative in solving its own problems. Havel said he thinks the next talks should take place in the Kosovo region with the attendance of representatives of the neighboring countries of Albania and Macedonia. Ondrej Fer/Milan Smid Round-Table Discussion in Lany In the Lany Chateau March 6 President Vaclav Havel hosted a round-table discussion with the chairmen of four parliamentary parties: Milos Zeman (Czech Social Democratic Party, CSSD), Jan Kasal (Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party, KDU-CSL), Jan Ruml (Freedom Union, US) and Daniel Kroupa (Civic Democratic Alliance, ODA). Havel did not invite the third-strongest parliamentary party, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM). Vaclav Klaus, chairman of the opposition Civic Democratic Party (ODS), refused to attend the meeting. The main topic of the discussion was the present economic situation in the Czech Republic and the coming integration into Euroatlantic structures, which will require amendments to the Czech Constitution. The meeting resulted in a rather general declaration on the necessity to solve present problems, without specifying any steps. Party chairmen do not share the same opinion of the Report on the State of Czech Society (see Carolina 321, 322) and about Havel not inviting a Communist Party representative. While Prime Minister Milos Zeman said he regretted the absence, the other chairmen did not miss the Communist Party's presence at all. Zuzana Galova/Milan Smid Minister's Adviser Resigns after Being Charged in Liberta Case Barbora Snopkova, the close official and personal adviser of Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda, gave up her post in the ministry March 4 after being charged in connection with bankruptcy of the baby-carriage-maker Liberta in Melnik. Svoboda said Snopkova does not want this affair to be connected with him or with the ministry. However, Snopkova will remain as chief treasurer of the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD). Snopkova is charged with failing to submit all the documents of the company during bankruptcy proceedings. She denies the charge, claiming that all documents were at the disposal of the bankruptcy trustee. Police are investigating the dubious sale of the profitable part of Liberta to the Zora-Euro company, owned by people close to Svoboda and Snopkova. The investigation was confirmed to the daily Lidove noviny by a police investigator March 5. Svoboda's statements published in Lidove noviny March 6 stirred speculation about the political background of the affair, because he hinted that the affair should serve to discredit him, a party vice chairman, and the party before the April party congress. Svoboda said the affair reminded him the atmosphere of the Stalinist 50's, when communists used similar methods of discreditation. However, other party representatives say they do not believe the affair is politically motivated. Svoboda and Snopkova were on the board of directors of Liberta from 1996. The firm had been a successful producer of baby carriages, but the company started having financial problems in April 1997. The management divided the company, selling the healthy divisions to Zora-Euro and placing the other, unprofitable divisions into receivership. Snopkova was originally charged with the liquidation of the company. Jan Mates/Lenka Nejezchlebova NEWS IN BRIEF * March 7 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Czechoslovakia's first president, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk. President Vaclav Havel and Prime Minister Milos Zeman commemorated the occasion by visiting Masaryk's grave in Lany. There were also festivities in Masaryk's birthplace of Hodonin. * Unknown soldiers March 5 attacked the Czech SFOR mission's camp with a grenade. The explosion damaged the lower floor of the building that serves as the headquarters of the Czech unit. No one was injured, and it is believed that the attack is connected with increasing tension in the area brought about by the March 5 recall of Serbian President in Bosnia Nikola Poplasen. * The complete version of the Government's Report on the State of Czech Society can be found in Czech (see Carolina 322) at the address www.vlada.cz. * Tomas Jezek, member of the Presidium of the Securities Commission, March 5 filed a suit against Minister Jaroslav Basta, because of Basta's claims about a criminal complaint to be filed against Jezek. The complaint was to be filed in connection with the privatization of chocolate-maker Cokoladovny (see Carolina 317). Jezek March 6 said to daily Lidove noviny: "The claims of Mr. Basta heavily damaged my good name and also have consequences in limiting me in my function in the presidium." Basta said he did not understand the point of the suit and did not know why he would have to apologize. * Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty March 8 began a 30-minute daily broadcast for Kosovo in Albanian. Thomas Dine, president of the radio station, said that in the conflict between Serbs and Albanians it was necessary to provide objective information to both sides about the world and events in the region. * It has been 50 years since the Chinese occupation of Tibet. A series of concerts and demonstrations are now taking place to protest against the occupation. Marketa Lajdova, Pavlina Hodkova, Jan Mates/Lenka Nejezchlebova FROM SLOVAKIA Magda Vasaryova Begins Presidential Campaign As the first of the three main candidates for the Slovak president, actress Magda Vasaryova, the last Czechoslovak ambassador to Austria, kicked off her campaign in her birthplace, Banska Stiavnica. The founder of the Slovak Association for Foreign Policy is running as an independent. The campaign, assisted by young volunteers, is based on personal meetings with voters. The first direct presidential elections are to take place in the middle of May and will bring to an end the period without a head of state, which began with the expiration of President Michal Kovac's term of office March 3, 1998. Vasaryova said she wants to become a the protector of the rights of all people in Slovakia, change the atmosphere in the divided Slovak society, renew the country's lost trustworthiness and, in particular, quickly improve its reputation. This should contribute to Slovakia's stabilization, necessary to attract foreign investors. Vasaryova said she wants to strengthen civil rights and regional autonomy, emphasize education and culture, incorporate the handicapped into society and more involve women in the current activity of Slovakia. In the polls Vasaryova is running second behind the governing coalition's official candidate, Kosice Mayor Rudolf Schuster; Kovac is third. Marketa Kaclova/Denisa Vitkova Jan Slota Openly Confesses Extremism Probably not even official immunity will stop the prosecution of opposition Slovak National Party (SNS) Chairman and Zilina Mayor Jan Slota for the extremist statements he made at at rally Nove Mesto, Kysuce March 5. Slota, according to the press reports under the influence of alcohol, publicly insulted American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Hungarian minority in Slovakia and the Romany (Gypsy) minority, which he described as gypsies who steal, rob and plunder. The Civic-Democratic Youth (ODM) March 8 filed a criminal complaint for suspicion of committing the crimes of racial insult and inciting racial hatred and violence. Top Slovak political representatives, including the SNS Vice Chairwoman Anna Malikova, distanced themselves from Slota's statements. Katerina Kolarova/Denisa Vitkova ECONOMY Independent Commission's Report Does Not Support Completing Temelin Last week, an independent international expert commission finished a report evaluating the completion of the Temelin nuclear power plant. The report says it would be profitable to finish the plant only if economic indicators change and show a renewal of economic growth and an increase in the use of electricity. The report also says that today's decision-making should not be influenced by the consideration of past expenses for Temelin. Ecologists consider the report an important victory. The Government, which ordered the report, will discuss Temelin March 17. Environment Minister Milos Kuzvart and Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr will then probably decide what steps the Government will take. Some ministers have already declared their opinion about Temelin. The only clear voice against is Kuzvart, who wishes Temelin to be completed not as a nuclear plant. His colleagues, led by Gregr, want its completion or are undecided. Pavel Sladky/Jakub Jirovec ECONOMY IN BRIEF * The Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka) was the most succesful Czech bank in 1998 with a profit of 2.8 billion crowns. Management decided, however, to recommend not to pay dividends because of uncertainity regarding the bank's privatization and the economic recession. * Engineering firm Skoda Plzen announced it will axe some 1,500 employees because of the company's dire state. Skoda spokesman David Soukup said to daily Hospodarske noviny that the layoffs are necessary for the recovery of the firm. Skoda's 1997 losses were 4.2 billion crowns, 1998 losses were 2.5 billion crowns. Pavlina Hodkova/Jakub Jirovec Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid March 12) ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 EUR = 37.875 CZK country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 22.051 Great Britain 1 GBP 56.449 Denmark 1 DKK 5.096 Japan 100 JPY 28.805 Canada 1 CAD 22.794 IMF 1 XDR 47.132 Hungary 100 HUF 14.971 Norway 1 NOK 4.455 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.567 Poland 1 PLN 8.802 Greece 100 GRD 11.783 Slovakia 100 SKK 85.006 Slovenia 100 SIT 20.041 Sweden 1 SEK 4.279 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.713 USA 1 USD 34.740 Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 19.365 Belgium 100 BEF 93.890 Finland 1 FIM 6.370 France 1 FRF 5.774 Ireland 1 IEP 48.091 Italy 1000 ITL 19.561 Luxemburg 100 LUF 93.890 Netherlands 1 NLG 17.187 Portugal 100 PTE 18.892 Austria 1 ATS 2.752 Spain 100 ESP 22.763 CULTURE In Memory of Karel Kryl Karel Kryl, one of the greatest artists of the Czech postwar period, died in Munich five years ago. On the occasion of the anniversary of his death, Head Abbot Anastaz Opasek celebrated a mass in the Brevnov Monastery, while Kryl's friends and colleagues commemorated him in the Semafor Theater. Prime Minister Milos Zeman and the Deputy Prime Minister Egon Lansky met with Kryl's wife Marlen in the Office of the Government. Althought Kryl gained recognition through his songs, he was also a writer and painter. After the Soviet invasion of 1968 Kryl clashed with the communist regime and immigrated to Germany. He returned after the 1989 revolution and lived alternately in Prague and Munich. The post-1989 events, especially the split of Czechoslovakia, greatly disillusioned Kryl. He died of heart failure March 3, 1994. Expressing fear and hopelessness, his song Little Brother, Close the Gates (Bratricku, zavirej vratka), became a symbol of the post-1968 normalization era. The song did not lose its symbolic value after 1989. Petra Machova/Zuzana Janeckova Czech Pop Group Lucie Triumphs in Musical Academy Awards The pop group Lucie was awarded three statuettes at the Academy of Pop Music '98 competition in Prague's Veletrzni Palac March 6. Lucie won the prize as best group of the year, as well as for best album, More Than a Small Amount of Love. The pop group Sexy Dancers won two statuettes. Dan Barta received the male singer of the year award, while Lucie Bila won the female singer of the year prize. The 150 members of the Musical Academy voted on the awards. For the first time, foreign celebrities performed at the awards ceremony. Italian singer Andrea Bocelli presented a song from his new album, while American singer Cher lip-synched and REM sang two of their songs live at the end. Linda Kholova/Zuzana Janeckova New Czech Fairy Tale Lucky as Hell Opens in Cinemas A new Czech fairy tale had its premiere in the cinema March 4. Director Zdenek Troska was inspired by the Czech fairy tale character Czech Jack (Cesky Honza) created by writer Jan Drda. Jack, played by Miroslav Simunek, avoids military service by escaping from the village where he is a serf and his beloved Markytka, played by Michaela Kuklova, lives. During his journey he gained magical things from two devils - a knapsack full of brave soldiers and a cloak that made him invisible and a tablecloth that produced its own delicious food. The tricks brought Jack not only happiness but also the envy of others. The story has a happy end, as Jack and Markytka are married. Other characters in the movie include the good godmother, an evil dragon and a princess. According to the daily Lidove noviny, Troska did not create a great difference between good and evil, just like in his previous fairy tale The Princess from the Mill (Princezna ze mlejna). There is an absence of evil characters, and evil is not punished like it used to be in classic fairy tales. The film is designed to please viewers, perhaps because of the supporting role for popular Czech singer Daniel Hulka. Klara Nedvedova/Katerina Kolarova SPORTS Czech Athletes Successful in Indoor Track and Field World Championships After poor performances in the outdoor World Championships in Budapest last year, the Czech national track and field team successfully rehabilitated itself by winning four medals in the indoor World Championships in Maebashi, Japan March 5-7. Ludmila Formanova had the most remarkable result, in the 800m run. In the finish of the finale, she overcame favored Maria Mutola from Mozambique and won the title. She recorded the second-best time ever - 1:56.9 seconds, breaking the national record of her coach, Jarmila Kratochvilova (outdoor 1983 world champion in the 400m and 800m runs). Zuzana Kovacikova-Hlavonova lost the gold after the successful attempt of Bulgaria's Khristina Kalcheva at 199 centimeters. Hlavonova finished three centimeters behind and won the silver medal. The Czech Republic then added two bronzes in disciplines that have been medal mines for some time. Sarka Kasparkova jumped 14.87 meters in the triple-jump, a new Czech record and a repeat of her position from the World Championships in Paris two years ago. Roman Sebrle defended his third place in the septathlon in another Czech record (6,319 points) just beating 1997 decathlon world champion Tomas Dvorak. The team of 10 athletes had eight representatives in the finals and finished in 10th place in the country standings. Petr Wilfer/Mirek Langer Svancara's Goal Wakes Slavia's from Dreams of Title Slavia Praha, after losing two points against Ostrava, had to win in Brno in the Gambrinus Soccer League's 18th round. The Boby Brno team, full of talented young players, stole the win from Slavia thanks to Petr Svancara's goal. Slavia is now a full 11 points behind first-place Sparta Praha. Sparta met third-place Drnovice, which arrived in Prague still without injured sweeper Miroslav Kadlec. Sparta opened the game with an offensive storm and scored thanks to Josef Obajdin. Viktoria Zizkov continues its scoreless streak in the spring session and maybe envies Hradec Kralove forward Frantisek Koubek, who scored a hat trick against Karvina and in his last two games has hit the net five times. Ostrava tied its game against Teplice, Ostrava's 12th draw this season, the most in any European league. Results of the 18th round: Brno - Slavia Praha 1-0, Sparta Praha - Drnovice 1-0, Zizkov - Liberec 0-3, Hradec Kralove - Karvina 3-0, Olomouc - Plzen 1-1, Pribram - Blsany 2-0, Ostrava - Teplice 0-0, Jablonec - Opava 1-0. Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 40 points, 2. Teplice 33, 3. Drnovice 31, 4. Slavia Praha 29, 5. Blsany 29, 6. Olomouc 28, 7. Ostrava 24, 8. Brno 23, 9. Opava 23, 10. Hradec Kralove 22, 11. Zizkov 21, 12. Liberec 20, 13. Jablonec 18, 14. Pribram 17, 15. Plzen 16, 16. Karvina 12. Josef Koukolicek/Mirek Langer Zlin's Record Run of Home Wins Ends Three rounds before the end of the regular season of the hockey Staropramen Extraleague, the games of the teams playing for the playoffs are the most interesting. Litvinov lost valuable points in a head-to-head duel of playoff contenders against Slavia Praha, losing 3-6 in the 48th round. The 49th round brought some very rough games. Vsetin smashed Zlin, defeating it for the first time this season. It broke the Zlin's home winning streak after 24 games. The postwar record for consecutive home wins belongs to the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, who won 25 games in a row. The biggest debates were caused by two brutal checks by Litvinov's Robert Kysela and Petr Kratky on Vitkovice's Vladimir Vujtek. After Kysela cross-checked Vujtek for the first time, Vujtek hit the boards head-first and cut his face. In the 32nd minute, after medical treatment, he was hit again: Kratky knocked him down with an elbow. Vujtek lay unconscious on the ice and his life was saved only by the quick help of a masseuse, who opened Vujtek's clenched mouth with a hockey stick and pulled out Vujtek's swallowed tongue. Results of the 48th round: Pardubice - Sparta Praha 3-2, Slavia Praha - Litvinov 6-3, Vitkovice - Plzen 2-3, Vsetin - Opava 4-1, Kladno - Trinec 3-6, Karlovy Vary - Ceske Budejovice 2-5, Jihlava - Zlin 2-1. Results of the 49th round: Trinec - Pardubice 3-2, Zlin - Vsetin 2-7, Litvinov - Vitkovice 4-2, Sparta Praha - Jihlava 7-0, Plzen - Ceske Budejovice 2-2, Opava - Slavia Praha 1-3, Kladno - Karlovy Vary 5-3. Standings: 1. Vsetin 72 points, 2. Zlin 65, 3. Trinec 61, 4. Sparta Praha 59, 5. Plzen 59, 6. Ceske Budejovice 55, 7. Vitkovice 48, 8. Pardubice 48, 9. Litvinov 46, 10. Slavia Praha 44, 11. Opava 37, 12. Kladno 36, 13. Karlovy Vary 34, 14. Jihlava 22. Robin Rohrich/Mirek Langer SPORTS IN BRIEF * Cross-country skier Katerina Neumannova regained her form: she finished third in the 10km classic World Cup event in Lahti March 6, then she finished third in the combined relay (with Hanusova, Koukal and Bauer). Her best result was recorded with Katerina Hanusova, in the curious 6x2km relay sprint, where they finished first. Petr Wilfer/Mirek Langer WEATHER We enjoyed all types of weather this week. Those who like their winter cold welcomed the slight freeze and snow flurries, while lovers of spring hoped the nice, sunny weather will stay for the rest of the week. The high temperatures were not popular among water engineers, who are getting nervous because of flood warnings for the Labe, Orlice, Morava and Odra rivers. But nobody likes the frequent showers or heavy rains. In my opinion, writer Vladislav Vancura's line can be paraphrased to suit the situation exactly: "This way of concluding winter seems to me to be somewhat unfortunate." Pavlina Hodkova/Katerina Kolarova Czech version edited by Michael Bluhm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with attribution to CAROLINA. Subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. Please send them to the address: CAROLINA@mbox.fsv.cuni.cz To subscribe to CAROLINA news, send an e-mail message to the address LISTSERV@cesnet.cz The text of the message for subscription to 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, send the following message to the address 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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