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 328, Friday, April 16, 1999. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (April 7 - April 14) Social Democrat Congress Leaves Party the Same For the fourth time, Prime Minister Milos Zeman was elected as chairman of the Social Democratic Party (CSSD) with 82 per cent of delegates' votes, 10 per cent more than two years ago. Vladimir Spidla remains first vice chairman, Zdenek Skromach, Petr Lachnit and Petra Buzkova remain the other vice chairs. The new face in the leadership is Karel Kobes, vice chairman for management, who replaced Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda. The congress was held April 9-11 in Prague and it was the first in which the party could celebrate being alone in forming the Government. There was a full program and many expected an conflict of opinion to come to the fore between the coterie surrounding Stanislav Gross, chairman of the party's Parliamentary club, and Zeman's clique, but no substantial changes occurred. Zeman did record one defeat when his long-term party program proposal was not approved by the congress. Gross and others said the proposal was too descriptive and lacked a realistic vision. The fight over the party's articles of association ended with quotas remaining for women and young people in the party. Deputies also voted to weaken the influence of Social Democrat Women and the Young Social Democrats on the internal workings of the party. The congress also discussed the situation in Kosovo. More than half of the delegates (341 of 600) signed a letter addressed to Yugoslav ambassador in Prague labelling the NATO attacks an act of aggression and requesting they end. Foreign Minister Jan Kavan distanced himself from the letter, saying its contents conflict with the Government's position and the Czech Republic's interests. He did support a resolution calling on all sister Social Democrat parties to start a discussion immediately about peace in the Balkans and expressed full support for the Government's actions in the Balkan crisis. Zeman confirmed his planned retirement from politics in 2002, and said he will not run for re-election as party chairman. He said, "I'm convinced that present statutory Vice Chairman Vladimir Spidla fulfills all requirements for character, intelligence and diligence to replace me." Spidla received 91 per cent of delegates' votes for the position of first vice chairman. Pavlina Hodkova/Sofia Karakeva Government Approves Field Hospital for Balkans Both chambers of the Czech Parliament April 14 approved sending an army field hospital and an An-26 transport aircraft. Repeated approval was needed because the previous vote bound the hospital to a peace agreement. Government spokesman Libor Roucek announced April 11 after an extraordinary Cabinet session that ministers will earmark about 1 billion crowns for humanitarian aid for Kosovo Albanians. The Chamber of Deputies April 14 passed a resolution declaring that deputies "are ready to support all steps toward the quickest resolution of the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo." The Senate did not accept any of three proposed resolutions concerning a stance on NATO actions in Yugoslavia. Marketa Kaclova, Jakub Jirovec, Radan Dolejs/Jakub Jirovec Havel: Czech Attitudes on Kosovo Discourages NATO from Further Expansion President Vaclav Havel criticized on Czech Television again the attitudes of Czech political leaders toward NATO attacks. Havel also warned that their statements threaten further NATO expansion. "Already today there are doubts if the Alliance should futher expand at all. I have it confirmed from very significant sources that these doubts are based on debates and comments among Czech politicians," said Havel. His words were confirmed by French political scientist Jacques Rupnik, who also said that a popular phrase in NATO is, "The Poles are in, the Czechs out and the Hungarians in-between." According to American daily The Washington Post, NATO General Secretary Javier Solana reprimanded Czech ambassador to NATO Karel Kovanda for the inability of Czech representatives to take responsibility for NATO attacks. Havel's claim was indirectly dismissed by Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, who said he did not hear any criticism of the Czech stance during a meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member countries. American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, according to Kavan, repeatedly called the Czech Republic a loyal ally. Havel's claim was also criticized by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). ODS representatives said further NATO expansion could be discouraged by many other factors and Havel was only trying to exploit the Kosovo crisis for domestic political favor. The Kosovo conflict was one of the topics discussed during the session of the Czech Republic's Security Council. Havel, Prime Minister Milos Zeman, Senate Chairwoman Libuse Benesova and Chamber of Deputies Chairman Vaclav Klaus supposedly reached agreement on their position in order to appear unified at NATO's 50th anniversary celebrations. Jakub Jirovec, Radan Dolejs/Jakub Jirovec Charles University Finishes 650th Anniversary Festivities The Celebratory Concert in Prague's Municipal House (Obecni dum) April 7 brought an end to the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the founding of Charles University. The university was established April 7, 1348, by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. From its beginning, one of the oldest European universities was considered an important part of the European and world academic community. The celebrations began November 17, 1997, with a Celebratory Meeting of the extended University Scientific Board and with a meeting of the university's rector with the school's top current students at the historical Carolinum building (see Carolina 266). Besides the jubilee events organized for the general public, the celebrations encompassed many scientific conferences, congresses, symposia and seminars, during which the university was visited by 5,000 academics from around the world. The anniversary events came to a head the first week of last April (see Carolina 284-285). Charles University representatives were received by the president of the Czech Republic at Prague Castle, a celebratory concert was performed by the Czech Philharmonic and the Conference on the Role of the University on the Threshold of 21st Century took place in the Carolinum. Among other main events in the next month were Czechs Abroad Week, Mayales and the Cycle of Seven Concerts of Period Music, which began in February 1998 and lasted till March 1999. Charles University has 37,807 students and 7,000 employees. Jan Martinek/Jan Martinek Trial Run for Unified High-School Final Exams The Czech Republic April 8-9 in nearly all Czechs high schools administered the last trial exams in its preparations for a unified final state high-school exam. This year will be the last year that high schools will draw up their own questions for the state exams. The statewide questions will be created for Czech, math and foreign languages, in order to enable comparison of high schools. Last week's exams were given to about 106,000 students at more than 1,600 high schools. The cost was 28 million crowns, and the whole project has sometimes been criticized as expensive. Marketa Kaclova/Lenka Nejezchlebova Pig Farm in Lety Not to Be Taken Down The Czech Cabinet voted down April 7 the motion submitted by its civil rights officer Petr Uhl, according to which the pig slaughterhouse in Lety near Pisek should be purchased, dismantled and built in another place at the state's expense. The pig farm stands on the site of a concentration camp for Romany (Gypsy) people from World War II. According Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Rychetsky, the state cannot spend 600 million crowns on the project. The Government will try to do its best for refitting the place as a memorial to Romany victims. A similar measure should be applied to another former Romany camp in Hodonin in Moravia. Jirka Wazik/Lenka Nejezchlebova Miss Czech Republic 1999 An extraordinarily high concentration of beautiful girls was in Karlovy Vary April 10. The finals of the Miss 99 competition were held in the city's Grand Hotel Pupp. Helena Houdova, 19-year-old student from Pilsen (Plzen), was elected this year's Miss Czech Republic. The runner-up was 19-year-old student from Bohumin Sarka Sikorova, third prize was received by 20-year-old model Jitka Kocurova from Vlasim. Petra Machova/Katerina Kolarova FROM SLOVAKIA HZDS Announces Last-Minute Meciar Candidacy for President The Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) announced April 9 the presidential candidacy of former Premier Vladimir Meciar. That day was the deadline for submitting candidates to Chairman of the Slovakia National Assembly Jozef Migas. He will have to determine the eligibility of three party candidates (Rudolf Schuster of the Party of Civic Understanding, Jan Slota of the Slovak National Party and Meciar) and six independent candidates. Meciar's candidacy surprised most observers. According to the Slovak daily Sme, HZDS had been encouraging Meciar for several weeks to run. Thanks to loyal HZDS voters and part of the Slovak National Party (SNS) voter base, Meciar is expected by many to advance into the second, final round of the election. Observers say the result could either strengthen morale within HZDS or will spell the end of Meciar and the political approach of HZDS will have to change. Editor-in-Chief of the Slovak daily Domino Forum Stefan Hrib said voters are surprised by Meciar's candidacy and will choose stability offered by Schuster, which should then weaken the position of independent candidate Magda Vasaryova. Jana Kadlecova/Sofia Karakeva Slovak Parliament on Yugoslav Situation Slovakia's National Assembly April 9 discussed the situation in Yugoslavia. Slovak Premier Mikulas Dzurinda explained the permission granted to NATO planes to fly over Slovakia as a confirmation of the values the Government and Slovakia's people want to support. The Government contributed 80 million Slovak crowns to humanitarian aid to Kosovo victims. The National Assembly will continue discussion on the Kosovo crisis April 20. Jana Kadlecova/Sofia Karakeva Assemblymen Allow Lexa's Criminal Prosecution Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) assemblyman and former Director of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) Ivan Lexa was stripped of his parliamentary immunity during the Slovak National Assembly's April 9 session. Assemblymen allowed Lexa to be prosecuted in five matters in which he is being investigated by the police, for example for his role in the kidnapping of the son of former President Michal Kovac or the fraudulent sale of a church's triptych to discredit the Catholic Church. Lexa, after the former Interior Minister Gustav Krajci, became the second HZDS assemblyman to be stripped of his immunity. Petr Kupec/Jakub Jirovec ECONOMY Revitalization Plan for Industry in the Offing Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda, Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy Pavel Mertlik came to an agreement on the final form of the restructuring and revitalization of selected industrial corporations (see Carolina 326). The whole project will be managed by the Revitalization Agency, set up by the state's Consolidation Bank (Konsolidacni banka) with basic capital of 100 million crowns. The custodian of the agency, to be selected through an international tender among renowned investment banks, will be obliged to become a shareholder. The custodian will be responsible for the activity of the agency. According to the daily Hospodarske noviny, the Czech banks that are the creditors of the targeted enterprises, could also participate in raising basic capital. The project also presupposes minority state ownership in the selected companies. Four criteria will be decisive for the selection of the companies: national and regional economic and social importance (i.e., more than 2,000 employees), the company's multi-level impact on the economy (purchases of materials and services from local suppliers exceeding 1 billion crowns last year), contribution to the recuperation of the banking sector and the company's ability to survive. Pavlina Hodkova/Milan Smid ECONOMY IN BRIEF * The Czech Statistics Office released surprising information that the rate of inflation in the Czech Republic was 0.2 per cent in March. * The Banking Council of the Czech National Bank April 9 reduced the 14-day repo rate from 7.5 per cent to 7.2 per cent. Pavlina Hodkova/Jakub Jirovec Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid April 16) ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 EUR = 37.700 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 22.135 Great Britain 1 GBP 56.354 Denmark 1 DKK 5.072 Japan 100 JPY 29.337 Canada 1 CAD 23.336 IMF 1 XDR 47.460 Hungary 100 HUF 14.852 Norway 1 NOK 4.516 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.812 Poland 1 PLN 8.794 Greece 100 GRD 11.624 Slovakia 100 SKK 83.972 Slovenia 100 SIT 19.760 Sweden 1 SEK 4.218 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.517 USA 1 USD 34.899 Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 19.276 Belgium 100 BEF 93.456 Finland 1 FIM 6.341 France 1 FRF 5.747 Ireland 1 IEP 47.869 Italy 1000 ITL 19.470 Luxemburg 100 LUF 93.456 Netherlands 1 NLG 17.108 Portugal 100 PTE 18.805 Austria 1 ATS 2.740 Spain 100 ESP 22.658 CULTURE Poet Ivan Divis Dies Poet Ivan Divis died at the age of 74 in Prague April 7. Divis was one of the most significant Czech postwar poets. His first anthology was published in 1947, his most productive years were the 60's, with the publishing of collections Elias' Fire (Eliasuv ohen), Spewing Blood (Chrleni krve) and Moralities (Morality). At the end of the 60's, after the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia and the ensuing dark years of normalization, he emigrated to Germany. In 1997 he returned to the Czech Republic. None of his anthologies stand out more than any other, his work is considered a whole. Divis' frequent favorite topic was love of country, the mother language and God. Divis received the state prize for lifetime achievement in 1995. Petra Machova/Katerina Kolarova CULTURE IN BRIEF * The Evening for Guatemala concert was held in Prague's La Casa Bleu (La casa blu) April 8. Proceeds from the concert will support Guatemalan Indians affected by Hurricane Mitch. * The Swedish pop group The Cardigans performed in Prague April 9. The group played songs from its new album Gran Turismo and also older songs. * Non-fiction author Miroslav Ivanov celebrated his 70th birthday April 10. Ivanov studied literature and history at Charles University in Prague. His most famous non-fiction works are monographs on Czech poet Karel Hynek Macha, Hussite military leader Jan Zizka and about Nazi Protectorate leader Reinhard Heydrich. Stepan Etrych, Pavel Sladky, Michaela Prokopova/Katerina Kolarova SPORTS Hockey Extraleague: Both Semifinal Series Finish in Fifth Games After the first scoreless game in playoff history, Vsetin players advanced to the finals after penalty shots April 8. They ended the dreams of Sparta Praha, which has not reached the final since the break-up of Czechoslovakia. Despite the loss, Sparta coaches were satisfied with the team's performance. Vsetin did not win even one game at home in regulation time and in the deciding fifth game was threatened by a one-on-one break by Richard Zemlicka, Sparta Praha captain. In the fourth game of the second semifinal series, Trinec turned the score around from 1-4 to 5-4, but Tomas Chlubna was standing in the crease when he scored the first goal of Trinec's streak. The deciding goal was scored after an unlucky mistake by Zlin goalkeeper Jaroslav Kames, who could not catch a shot from the middle of the ice. Kames, out sick, was replaced by Richard Hrazdira for the fifth game. Hrazdira also allowed one shocking goal, but then led Zlin to the finals as Zlin defeated Trinec 3-2. Hockey Extraleague Finals: Vsetin - Zlin The battle between two neighboring northeastern Moravia cities, Zlin and Vsetin from the Wallach region, started April 12. The first two games in Vsetin were similar. Zlin played together, but Vsetin's individual talents were greater, especially thanks to Martin Prochazka. He scored a hat trick in the first game, and in the second one he added another two goals and an assist. The result of the first game, won by Vsetin 3-1, awoke Zlin for a more spirited performance in the second match. However, they started too late, as Vsetin led 3-0 after the first period. Zlin could not tie the score even by pulling its goalie and lost 3-4. Vsetin needs only one more victory to win its fifth title in a row. Robin Rohrich/Mirek Langer Extraleague Qualification Round: Joy for Znojmo, Sadness for Jihlava The deciding seventh game of the best-of-seven qualification series between the Extraleague's last-place Jihlava and first-league winner Znojmo was played in Jihlava. The Znojmo Eagles surprisingly won 3-2 and took the series 4-3. Znojmo's goals were scored by Havir, Kudelka and Fink, Jihlava's goals by Morava and Polcar. Jihlava, 12-time league champion, is relegated to the lower league after 42 years. While Znojmo looks forward to the Extraleague, Jihlava's hockey future is not clear. Dukla management had found a new general sponsor for the next season of the extraleague, but now it will try at least to maintain hockey in the town. Alena Smrzova/Mirek Langer National Teams Preparation: Czech Republic's First Loss to Slovakia The Czech national hockey team started its preparation for the World Championships with two games in Slovakia. The first game, in Liptovsky Mikulas, was scheduled for the day after the Czechs returned from Canada, where they played Canada six times, winning twice, tying twice and losing twice. The team in Canada did not include players taking part in the Extraleague's semifinals or foreign leagues. For the Slovak games the team was joined by defender Jiri Vykoukal. The Slovak win in the first game was decided by two goals at the end of the game, the second one in an empty Czech net. In the second game, the Czechs held on after two first-period goals. Results: Czech Republic - Slovakia 2-4 (0-1, 1-0, 1-3) in Liptovsky Mikulas and 2-1 (2-0, 0-1, 0-0) in Zilina. Petr Wilfer/Mirek Langer Soccer: Favored Slavia Finishes with Debacle in Jablonec Jablonec defeated Slavia unexpectedly, but deservedly in a postponed game of the 20th round April 8. Jablonec striker Radim Holub scored his first career hat trick and his performance was rated a 10 in the daily Sport. Jablonec then prolonged its winning streak to three games against Blsany and moved from 15th to 11th place in the standings. Sparta Praha was surprised by the flawless defense and fast counterattacks of Teplice. Martin Prohazska finally scored in the 90th minute and in the overtime Horst Siegl converted the penalty shot. Slavia has not lost its hopes of participating in next season's Champions League, trying to advance from second place, which it took with its win over Hradec Kralove. Result of the 20th round postponed game: Jablonec - Slavia Praha 5-2. Results of the 22nd round: Sparta Praha - Teplice 2-0, Zizkov - Pribram 1-1, Brno - Ostrava 3-0, Olomouc - Drnovice 0-1, Karvina - Opava 2-1, Plzen - Liberec 1-2, Jablonec - Blsany 1-0, Hradec Kralove - Slavia Praha 0-2. Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 46, 2. Slavia Praha 38, 3. Teplice 36, 4. Drnovice 35, 5. Olomouc 35, 6. Blsany 32, 7. Brno 30, 8. Hradec Kralove 29, 9. Ostrava 28, 10. Liberec 27, 11. Jablonec 27, 12. Opava 27, 13. Zizkov 25, 14. Pribram 22, 15. Plzen 20, 16. Karvina 19. Tomas Kohout/Mirek Langer SPORTS IN BRIEF * Olymp Praha and Lapos Frenstat pod Radhostem are competing in the women's volleyball extraleague finals, Olymp leads in the best-of-five final series 2-0. In the semifinal series Olymp defeated Unis Brno 3-0 and Frenstat beat Palacky University Olomouc 3-1. * Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice is the first team to advance to the men's volleyball league final. It will meet either VSC Fatra Zlin or Corps Usti nad Labem, which are tied in a best-of-five semifinal series 2-2. Budejovice defeated Dukla Liberec 3-0 in the semifinals. * The men's handball league finished after a thrilling five-game final between Frydek-Mistek and Plzen. Plzen managed to win the deciding game 21-20 and won its second title in a row. Third place belongs to Dukla Praha. Petr Novy, Alena Smrzova/Mirek Langer WEATHER: Clouds vs Sun 6-1 After April 8's promising start the sun fell suddenly into a deep slump and was overwhelmed by the systematic attacks of the clouds, who were playing the game in a very sporting mood. If the sun had not launched April 10's counterattack with a warm and sunny day, the match would have been lost before halftime of the match at noon April 11, when temperatures almost reached 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the clouds, assisted by talented reserves Rain, Cold and Wind, took back the offensive, and the bad impression given by the Sun's very poor performance was neither improved by sporadic breaks into its rivals' territory nor even a frantic attack launched just before time ran out in the game April 13. The cold wind was able to neutralize the sun's efforts quickly. Let us hope that the Sun will recover and in the next round will meet the high expectations of the weather sport audience. Vladimir Vorechovsky/Milan Smid English version edited by Michael Bluhm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with attribution to CAROLINA. Subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. 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