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 327, Friday, April 9, 1999. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (March 31-April 7) Government Allows NATO Planes to Use Czech Republic Airspace During an extraordinary session April 2, the Government approved a request from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to allow NATO planes used in the raids on Yugoslavia to use Czech airspace. The Government's manner of deciding was not accepted unanimously by legislators. Some of them said that, according to the Constitution, the decision should have been taken by Parliament. Ministers defended the decision, saying that because no foreign soldier will stand on Czech territory, Parliament does not have to discuss the matter. The exact routes, altitude or frequency of the flights are not known to the public. Sasa Jokic/Jakub Jirovec Kovanda Warned for His Words about Government's Stance on Kosovo Foreign Minister Jan Kavan April 1 threatened to recall Czech ambassador to NATO Karel Kovanda for Kovanda's statements about criticism in Brussels of some Czech politicians' stance on the attack on Yugoslavia. Most ministers said they took Kovanda's comments as an expression of disloyalty to the Government. Kovanda said NATO representatives fail to see clear support for the attack among Czech politicians. NATO representatives, Kovanda said, criticized off the record the statement issued by the Government of Prime Minister Milos Zeman, which incorrectly claimed the decision to attack Yugoslavia was made before the Czech Republic was a member of NATO (see Carolina 325). Kavan reproached Kovanda for not first informing the Government of such a reaction. "NATO looks upon the statements of some our representatives with puzzlement and a certain incomprehension," said Kovanda. He also alluded to Parliament Chairman Vaclav Klaus, who criticized the NATO attacks (see Carolina 326). Kovanda also said one of NATO's key values is the unity of member states in defending decisions agreed to, which cannot be later questioned. Jan Mates/Jakub Jirovec Czech Republic Helps Victims of Yugoslavia Crisis Organized by the Government and civic organizations, the Czech Republic is sending humanitarian aid to victims of the Yugoslavia crisis. The Government has earmarked 7 million crowns for this assistance. A plane with 14 tons of food, blankets and medical supplies left Prague April 4. Czech Television's Man in Distress Foundation sent 2 trucks to Albania and one truck from the ADRA civic organization went to Montenegro. The Czech Republic is not now subject to a flood of Kosovo refugees. There are now about 400 refugees from Kosovo live in Czech refugee camps who have applied for political asylum. Foreign Minister Jan Kavan said the Czech Republic is prepared to admit immediately 1,700 refugees and could eventually handle a maximum of 5,000. Jan Mates/Jakub Jirovec Czech Government Sends Military Hospital to Albania Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Policy Egon Lansky April 7 oversaw the delivery of a fully equipped military field hospital to Albania. The hospital, worth about 1.3 million crowns and is the Czech Republic's contribution to resolving the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo, is being accompanied by three officers. These three will educate medical personnel in Albania, which is experiencing a flood of refugees. Defense Minister Vladimir Vetchy said the Czech Army can make do without the equipment of the military hospital. This project is not connected with the sending of a military hospital to Macedonia, approved by Parliament as part of a possible international mission. That hospital should be located near Skopje, after the conclusion of the NATO military actions against Yugoslavia and subordinated to the leadership of NATO (see Carolina 325). Ondrej Fer/Jan Martinek Four Communist Deputies Travel to Yugoslavia A group of four Parliament deputies of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), headed by KSCM Parliamentary club Chairman Vojtech Filip, travelled April 5 to Yugoslavia to assess the situation in person. Filip accused NATO in a phone interview from Belgrade of destroying civilian targets. The Communists made the trip on their own after Parliament rejected a proposal to send a monitoring group. The Communist Party is against the NATO attacks on Yugoslavia and emphasizes that they have been made without the mandate of the UN Security Council. Jan Mates/Jan Martinek NEWS IN BRIEF * The Czech Parliament April 1 approved amendments to the penal code, increasing punishments for corruption. The increased punishment would affect not only those who accept the bribes (increased from a maximum of five years in prison to eight years) but also those who offer them (increased from three years to five). * By a majority of the votes of Freedom Union (US), Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) deputies, Parliament April 1 approved a bill amending the transfer of the ownership of farmland and forests from the state to private citizens. The Communists and Social Democrats were against the bill and are going to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court alleging the bill discriminates against corporations. * A bill from Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Government to ratify the European Social Charter was April 2 passed into a second reading by Parliament, despite significant resistance by the strongest opposition party, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). The acceptance of the charter would mean the modification of social rights in the Czech Republic to European standards. * The Government March 29 on the new director of the Security Information Service (BIS) - present head of Military Defense Intelligence Jiri Ruzek. Ruzek was investigated a short time ago on suspicions of abusing public office. The investigation, which would have threatened his appointment, was closed. A district attorney is expected to provide a statement on the investigation * President Vaclav Havel March 31 signed the amended Lottery and Gaming Act. The act changes the maximum number of gain prizes and eliminates discrimination against foreign corporations, which had been banned from running consumer competitions in the Czech Republic. Michaela Prokopova & Radan Dolejs/Jan Martinek FROM SLOVAKIA Kosovo Crisis from Slovak Point of View Reactions of Slovak representatives to the Kosovo situation differ throughout the political spectrum. There are many different statements and disputes not only between the Government and the opposition, but also between and within various political parties. The Slovak National Assembly discussed the Yugoslavia crisis March 31. Its proposed statement said the assembly thinks human rights are a matter of the international community. The statement also expresses regret that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic did not accept the efforts of the international community to resolve the situation and NATO had to begin bombing. The declaration also expresses agreement with the steps taken by the Government, which allowed NATO to use Slovak airspace and challenged the sides in the conflict to resume negotiations. The statement will be voted on April 9. Premier Mikulas Dzurinda said for the daily Sme that he is not thinking about Slovak forces' participation in Yugoslavia. Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan said Slovakia allowed NATO planes to fly over the country mostly because of its efforts at integration. The opposition (former Premier Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia and the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party) criticizes NATO's actions as agression, terror and an international crime. Opposition representatives said that by allowing NATO planes to fly over Slovakia, the country became an accomplice to the aggression. They also called American President Bill Clinton a criminal. The opposition will propose a confidence vote on the Government. Jana Kadlecova/Jakub Jirovec ECONOMY Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid from April 8) -------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 38.275 country Belgium 100 BEF 94.881 Finland 1 FIM 6.437 France 1 FRF 5.835 Ireland 1 IEP 48.599 Italy 1000 ITL 19.767 Luxembourg 100 LUF 94.881 Netherlands 1 NLG 17.368 Portugal 100 PTE 19.091 Austria 1 ATS 2.782 Germany 1 DEM 19.570 Spain 100 ESP 23.004 ---------------------------------------- Australia 1 AUD 22.290 Great Britain 1 GBP 56.529 Denmark 1 DKK 5.148 Japan 100 JPY 29.369 Canada 1 CAD 23.587 Hungary 100 HUF 15.074 Norway 1 NOK 4.573 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.877 Poland 1 PLN 8.905 Greece 100 GRD 11.771 Slovakia 100 SKK 85.214 Slovenia 100 SIT 19.950 Sweden 1 SEK 4.290 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.989 USA 1 USD 35.463 IMF 1 XDR 47.871 CULTURE Writer Milan Kundera Celebrates 70th Birthday World-renowned writer Milan Kundera, born in Brno, turned 70 April 1. Kundera, whose works have been translated into many world languages, first gained widespread fame in the former Czechoslovakia after publishing his first novel The Joke in 1967. After the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968, his novels were prohibited by the communist regime. In 1975 Kundera emigrated to France, where he taught at universities in Remes and Paris and later gained French citizenship. His novels were published in French by the Parisian publishing house Gallimard and in Czech by the Toronto-based 69 Publishers, owned by Czech emigre writers Josef Skvorecky and Zdena Salivarova, his wife. After The Joke, Kundera published the novels Laughable Loves, Life Is Elsewhere, The Last Waltz, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Immortality, Slowness and Identity. His critical works, The Art of the Novel and Betrayed Testaments, are also dedicated to the novel. Kundera does not write his books in Czech anymore. After the events of 1989 Kundera did not move back to the Czech Republic. Klara Nedvedova/Katerina Kolarova Jirina Jiraskova about Herself Jirina Jiraskova: About Herself is the title of the book of memoirs christined in Prague's Book Paradise bookstore March 31. The memoirs of the popular actress were jointly published by Format and Close Encounters (Blizka setkani). "My life, although not very easy, was very beautiful," said Jiraskova to the daily Pravo. Besides acting, Jiraskova runs the Vinohrady Theater. Recently she received the Thalie Prize for the lifetime achievement in the theater. The cover of the book was designed by Jiraskova. Playwright Alex Koenigsmark assisted with the book. Linda Kholova/Katerina Kolarova SPORTS Slavia Returns to Fight for Title by Win over Sparta The intracity derby between Prague's two S's - Sparta and Slavia - was the hit of the Gambrinus Soccer League 21st round. About 10,000 fans saw a collision between two former Viktoria Zizkov players, Ludek Zelenka, who recently arrived in Slavia, and Antonin Mlejnsky, after which the referee ordered a penalty kick. Former Sparta player Pavel Horvath scored. Sparta could not manage to score in the second half and was lucky Richard Dostalek did not convert another Slavia penalty kick. Slavia defeated Sparta 1-0, its first victory in six years. Jablonec achieved a surprising win in Teplice, which is still falling from its position in the beginning of the spring session (it was tied with current leader Sparta). For Jablonec the win meant a step out of the depths of the standings, but its future in next year's first league is not yet assured. The game will be closed by a meeting of the Arbitration Commission, because Teplice filed a complaint against the referee Vidlak. Ostrava tied Olomouc after Petr Ruman (Ostrava) and Pavel Hapal's (Olomouc) goals 1-1, Ostrava's 13th draw this season. A record number of five games finished in 1-1 ties. Results of the 21st round: Slavia Praha - Sparta Praha 1-0, Teplice - Jablonec 2-1, Ostrava - Olomouc 1-1, Blsany - Zizkov 2-0, Pribram - Brno 1-1, Opava - Plzen 1-1, Drnovice - Karvina 1-1, Liberec - Hradec Kralove 1-1. Standings (not including the postponed game between Jablonec and Slavia): 1. Sparta 43 points, 2. Teplice 36, 3. Slavia 35, 4. Olomouc 35, 5. Blsany 32, 6. Drnovice 32, 7. Hradec Kralove 29, 8. Ostrava 28, 9. Brno 27, 10. Opava 27, 11. Liberec 24, 12. Zizkov 24, 13. Jablonec 21, 14. Pribram 21, 15. Plzen 20, 16. Karvina 16. Josef Koukolicek/Mirek Langer AFTER DEADLINE: In the postponed game, Jablonec defeated Slavia 5-2 April 8. Hockey Extraleague: Semifinal Series Need Deciding Games Slovnaft Vsetin - Sparta Praha 2-2 (2-1 OT, 2-3, 4-2, 1-4) "We are going for the title, Vsetin is only one of the obstacles," said Sparta forward Miroslav Hlinka after Prague's team defeated Vsetin in the fourth game of the series and evened the series at 2-2. Sparta is the first team to defeat Vsetin in a playoff series more than once. The first game in Vsetin finished in a win for the home team after Jiri Dopita's overtime goal. The next match belonged to Sparta, which also won by one goal. Vsetin players however felt cheated in both games, because two Sparta goals were scored after collisions of Sparta forwards with Vsetin goalkeeper Roman Cechmanek. A livid Cechmanek said, "Even the head referee, Mr. Janu, confirmed it was interference. I was right to be annoyed in Vsetin," he said, but he denied that his excitement had a bad influence on his performance. Vsetin won the next game and defeated Sparta on the road 4-2. It could not take the final step to the finals - in the fourth game, Sparta was much better and won 4-1. "It's an early final, Vsetin and Sparta are obviously the best teams in the league," Hlinka said. ZPS Zlin - Trinec 2-1 (5-1, 2-1, 1-5) The biggest surprise of this year's league, Zlin continues performing brilliantly. Goalkeeper Jaroslav Kames is its main star, in the quarterfinal series allowing one goal in three games. He dominated the first two games at home against Trinec - in each he allowed one goal. The second win, decided in the 51st minute by Roman Meluzin's goal, seemed crucial for the series. Trinec, however, complained that the referee did not officiate the game according the rules. "We are not satisfied with the performance of referee Petr Bolina, who hurt us," said Jaroslav Jagr, Trinec's coach, for the daily Sport. Particularly Zlin's first goal annoyed the guests, who thought the referees would call the icing, but the goal counted. Trinec first won in the third game, in which it obliterated Zlin 5-1 and forced Kames to the bench. Viktor Ujcik scored a hat trick. "Kames is an excellent goalkeeper, he will deal with it. He took himself out of the game intentionally and saved his strength for the next game," said Ujcik for the daily Sport. Stepan Etrych/Mirek Langer AFTER DEADLINE: Vsetin - Sparta 1-0 (penalty shots), Vsetin wins the series 3-2 and advances to the finals. Trinec - Zlin 5-4, Trinec ties the series at 2-2, the decisive fifth game is scheduled for April 9. Jihlava Gets Back in Extraleague Qualification Series Although Dukla Jihlava was down 0-3 in games in the best-of-seven qualification series against second-league champ Znojmo, it managed to get back into the series. After two wins in Jihlava, Znojmo did not slow down in the third game on its own ice, winning 4-1. Since then it has been waiting to take the final step into the extraleague. In the fourth game, again in Znojmo, Petr Vlk's overtime goal kept Jihlava's hopes alive with a 3-2 win. In the fifth game, Jihlava played excellently, crushing Znojmo 8-2. Znojmo met Opava in last season's qualification series, and although it also led then 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, Opava won the last four games to stay in the extraleague. Stepan Etrych/Mirek Langer AFTER DEADLINE: Znojmo - Jihlava 1-3, Jihlava tied the series on 3-3 and will host the deciding match April 9. Czech Davis Cup Team Loses in Belgium The Czech men's tennis team did not manage the fulfill the role of favorite and lost to Belgium in the World Group of the Davis Cup first round in Ghent. This unexpected result means the Czech team has to compete in the September qualification round. Although Belgium's top player Filip Dewulf had problems with an injury, Belgium worked hard after losing the doubles match, when the score stood at 1-2 (Bohdan Ulihrach - Xavier Malisse 1-3, Ctislav Dosedel - Filip Dewulf 3-0, Jiri Novak, David Rikl - Filip Dewulf, Johann Van Herck 3-0). Dewulf's substitute Christophe Van Garsse defeated Ulihrach 3-0 and the decisive match between Malisse and Dosedel finished with the Belgian teenager's 3-1 win. Petr Wilfer/Mirek Langer AFTER DEADLINE: The Czech Republic will meet Uzbekistan in the qualification round in September, the series will be played on the opponent's court. Short-Track Swimming World Championships: Slovakia's Moravcova Triumphs The fourth short-track swimming World Championships finished in Hong Kong April 5. Swimmers broke eight world records, while former Czechoslovak and now Slovak star Martina Moravcova won three titles and became one of the championships' big winners. The seven Czech participants made their presence known, as three of them advanced to the A-finals: Yvetta Hlavacova broke the national record in the 100m individual medley and finished sixth. Jan Vitazka finished in seventh place in the 200m individual medley and Marcela Kubalcikova added an eighth place in the 200m backstroke. Jirka Wazik/Mirek Langer WEATHER The Czech Republic was visited by spring. People wore shorts, t-shirts and skirts last week. Parks and forests were full of people, who, crazed by cabin fever, biked, jogged or just went for a stroll. Prague's famous Petrin Hill was swarmed by young couples, who replaced snowboarders (they went into hiding with the first sunshine). But then what happened? The rains came April 5 and the clouds returned. The sun is gone. But we all hope that it will not be for long. Jirka Wazik/Jakub Jirovec ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with attribution to CAROLINA. 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