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 332, Friday, May 14, 1999. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (May 5 - May 12) Small V-E Day Anniversary Celebrations The Czech Republic commemorated the May 1945 Prague Uprising and V-E Day with small official ceremonies. Political leaders May 5 commemorated the Prague Uprising resistance. Exactly 54 years after the famous plea "We are calling all Czechs for help," Senate Chairwoman Libuse Benesova, Chamber of Deputies Chairman Vaclav Klaus, Czech Freedom Fighters Union Chairman Jakub Cernin and Prague Mayor Jan Kasl laid flowers in the front of the Czech Radio building. Three days later, on the day of the Nazis' surrender, President Vaclav Havel laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Prague's Vitkov. Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla was also present. V-E Day was almost completely ignored by the media. Sociologist Jiri Kabele said people, after decades of hollow, communist state celebrations, are probably more likely to celebrate holidays connected with joy and presents than official holidays. Tomas Polacek/Jakub Jirovec After deadline: The Temelin nuclear power plant will be completed, according to a Government decision reached on the evening of May 12-13 by a vote of 11 Cabinet members to eight (for further information see Carolina 330). Havel Talks with University Students about Kosovo President Vaclav Havel May 11 talked with students at the College of Humanities of Charles University in Prague about the Kosovo crisis. After a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Havel said he is sure the settlement of the Kosovo crisis is a question of several days, not weeks. "The solution should be international administration in Kosovo, supported not only by NATO forces, but also by Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the Partnership for Peace. Another round of negotiations about the Balkans should take place and the return of refugees and humanitarian service is expected." Havel also answered a question on NATO jurisdiction: "Imagine that you're walking down the street and see two gangsters beating a pregnant girl. In this case you probably would intervene, and even without a UN mandate." Extended applause at the end of the talk was disrupted by one student protesting against NATO actions in the Balkans. Petr Wilfer/Jakub Jirovec President Visits Kosovo Refugees near Brno President Vaclav Havel and his wife Dagmar May 11 visited the humanitarian center in Zbysov near Brno, where 115 refugees from Kosovo are housed. "I very much appreciate the fact that Zbysov has arranged such a center where refugees are kindly welcomed with understanding for their life's tragedy," said Havel, according to the daily Slovo. Havel said it is positive that more Czech regions and towns are offering help. Havel said he believes that meeting refugees awakens solidarity in people. Citizens are starting to realize that these people were driven out of their homes and country and have lost relatives, Havel said. Refugees assured the president that air raids against Yugoslavia were the only way to resolve the Kosovo situation. They also expressed their gratitude toward the Czech Republic for providing them shelter and their wish to return home as soon as possible. Linda Kholova/Sofia Karakeva Mission of Solidarity in Yugoslavia Eleven members of the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD) returned May 10 from a solidarity mission in Belgrade. The goal of the group, led by Parliament deputy Karel Splichal and Vice Chairman of the party's northern Bohemia organization Jaroslav Foldyna, was to deliver a humanitarian gift of medicines, toiletries, bedding, children's food, and to see firsthand the situation in the Balkans. Not only did the party leadership vote down the first proposal for a visit April 23, but technical problems and security restrictions complicated the trip. NATO bombed one of the bridges on the suggested route. On their second attempt, party members left the Czech Republic May 7 in three personal cars and a truck, and Foldyna said they proposed to the Yugoslav Red Cross a summer vacation stay in the Czech Republic for 1,000 children of all nationalities. Michaela Prokopova/Sofia Karakeva Baltic Countries Should Join NATO Together, says Latvian President Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis attended the Conference on NATO's Future, organized in Prague by Radio Free Europe May 11. "The three Baltic countries must be accepted to NATO together, otherwise their effort to work together in the defense field would be disrupted," Ulmanis said. Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said to the Czech Press Agency that he and Ulmanis discussed their experiences in the transformation of a totalitarian regime into a market economy and a political democracy. "The Czech Republic is interested in cooperating with Latvia in accession to the EU and is prepared to support Latvia's efforts to join NATO," said Zeman. Ulmanis said the only problem between Prague and Riga is the trade deficit in the Czechs' favor. Czech Government spokesman Libor Roucek said Ulmanis is looking forward to Zeman's visit, which will be the first visit by a Czech prime minister to Latvia. Sasa Jokic/Sofia Karakeva Student's May King Reigns on Rainy Shooters' Island May 8, one week after a neo-fascist skinhead rally (see Carolina 321), Prague's Shooters'Island (Strelecky ostrov) turned into a rainy but joyful realm of music, theater, humor and beer stands. The traditional student's May Festival (Majales) took place there with the indispensable election of the Student's May King. The festivities started with a would-be Mardi Gras parade from Palach Square to the island. Two stages were built there, a smaller one for theater performances and a larger one for musical performances and for the election and coronation of the May King. Jiri Machacek from the Basement Theater (Divadlo Sklep) entertained the public as master of ceremonies. He tried to please the audience, which stood in the rain after the Komorany Meteorological Institute had predicted the weather will continue to be "fair." "Big Daddy" Havlicek, dressed as Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, launched the election campaign with his slogan Morality Is Base (Moralka je grunt). The candidate Jitka spoke passionately in favor of love and freedom. Marvin, the third candidate, was accompanied by a cabinet of Marvins and supported the idea of free beer snacks for students and promoted sex as an Olympic event. Marik, a general without an army, escorted by a beautiful girl, did not promise anything, but said all his promises would be kept. Students voted for the king with tickets thrown into ballot boxes for each candidate during the concert by rocker Ivan Hlas. Despite cold and rain, the feast went on into the night. Marvin won. Lenka Nejezchlebova/Milan Smid FROM SLOVAKIA Michal Kovac Abandons Presidential Candidacy Former Slovak President Michal Kovac will no longer run for president. He announced his intention on the Slovak television program Round Table May 11. He said he is resigning in favor of other pro-Government coalition candidates, but did not specify whom he supports. Although the official coalition candidate is Kosice Mayor and Chairman of the Civic Understanding Party (SOP) Rudolf Schuster, former actress and ambassador Magda Vasaryova and National Assembly member Juraj Svec can also be considered pro-coalition. Slovaks will choose from 10 candidates in the first round of the elections, as the latest polls predict a finish of Schuster, former Premier Vladimir Meciar and Vasaryova (see Carolina 330). Kovac's presidential term ended in March 1998, and since then Slovakia has been without a president. According to the public opinion polls, about 6 per cent of voters would have voted for Kovac. Zuzana Janeckova/Zuzana Janeckova TV Markiza Breaks the Law The Slovak Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting punished TV Markiza with a penalty of 250,000 Slovak crowns. During its broadcasting, TV Markiza repeatedly gave preferential treatment to the Government coalition's presidential candidate, Rudolf Schuster. Director of the Council Office Jarmila Grujbarova warned that TV Markiza is in danger of losing its license. Zuzana Janeckova/Zuzana Janeckova ECONOMY Center of Attention: Commerce Bank The advertisement for the sale of the state share in the Commerce Bank (Komercni banka) will not be published until August, two months later than originally expected, according to Zdenek Flidr from the Finance Ministry. "There is nothing that could threaten its stability and successful privatization," said Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy Pavel Mertlik for daily Hospodarske noviny May 6. One day earlier, the Cabinet discussed a capital increase for the financial giant but postponed its decision until the following week. The Government May 10 approved a capital increase of 9.5 billion crowns. Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda said for Hospodarske noviny May 11: "This process is necessary from the perspective of confirming the bank's sufficient stability so its privatization at the beginning of 2000 can run smoothly to a successful conclusion without the necessity of further intervention," said Bank Director Jan Kollert. The Commerce Bank regular general meeting, which should approve the capital increase through a new share issue, will take place May 31. Pavlina Hodkova/Denisa Vitkova Unemployment Rate Surprisingly Declines According to data published in daily Hospodarske noviny May 11, in April the Czech Republic's unemployment rate fell from 8.4 per cent to 8.2 per cent, meaning that every 12th Czech is without work. That translates to 146,244 more people than in April 1998. The highest unemployment rate - 16.7 per cent - was recorded in the counties of Most, Chomutov (both northern Bohemia) and Karvina (northern Moravia). The lowest rate belongs to Prague - 2.6 per cent. Pavlina Hodkova/Denisa Vitkova International Armaments Fair IDET in Brno "The time when government officials behaved toward the weapons industry abominably is over," said Prime Minister Milos Zeman at the opening of the IDET armaments industry exposition in Brno May 4. He also said he believes in the integration of the Czech armaments industry into Europe, according to the daily Pravo. The entire week of the fair was accompanied by demonstrations by peace activists from the non-government association The Unbowed, which, carrying banners with slogans like "Your wars, our lives, your profits," called attention to the fact that exhibitors support dictatorial regimes and profit from the suffering of innocent people. Zeman objected to the activists, saying the Czech Republic does not export weapons to high-risk areas. Petr Novy/Denisa Vitkova ECONOMY IN BRIEF: * Regina Razlova, former Skloexport chairwoman of the board charged with misusing insider information, was released April 29 after 11 months of police custody (see Carolina 260, 292). Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid May 14) ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 EUR = 37.800 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 23.683 Great Britain 1 GBP 57.452 Denmark 1 DKK 5.084 Japan 100 JPY 29.215 Canada 1 CAD 24.293 IMF 1 XDR 47.962 Hungary 100 HUF 15.096 Norway 1 NOK 4.605 New Zealand 1 NZD 19.879 Poland 1 PLN 8.988 Greece 100 GRD 11.629 Slovakia 100 SKK 83.129 Slovenia 100 SIT 19.692 Sweden 1 SEK 4.222 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.605 USA 1 USD 35.408 Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 19.327 Belgium 100 BEF 93.704 Finland 1 FIM 6.358 France 1 FRF 5.763 Ireland 1 IEP 47.996 Italy 1000 ITL 19.522 Luxemburg 100 LUF 93.704 Netherlands 1 NLG 17.153 Portugal 100 PTE 18.855 Austria 1 ATS 2.747 Spain 100 ESP 22.718 CULTURE Prague Spring Full of Stars Bedrich Smetana's My Homeland May 12 opened the 54th year of the Prague Spring music festival in Prague's Municipal House. The festival's traditional opening composition was performed by the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. The biggest attractions of the festival include sold-out performances by the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra with conductor James Levin. Audiences can also see the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra with Riccardo Chailly,the Slovak Philharmonic with Ondrej Lenard and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Mark Janowski. Violin concerts include performances by Czech musicians Josef Suk, Ivan Zenaty and Frantisek Novotny, as well as also Maxim Vengerov, Vadim Repin, Gidon Kremer, Catherine Mackintosh and Gil Shaham. Josef Koukolicek/Jan Martinek Prague Golden Again From May 3-6, the 36th Golden Prague International Television Festival was held at Zofin on Prague's Slavic Island (Slovansky ostrov). The French movie Flamenco Singer Agujetas was awarded first prize. The first Czech Crystal will be given to Czech Television for two documentaries about composer Bohuslav Martinu, The Tears of the Knife and The Wonderful Flight, the second Czech Crystal will be given to the German creators of Opera Fanatic. The musical programs Black and White in Color, Let's Take a Walk with Antanas Rekasius and Mozart's Mystery - K621b gained honorable mentions. A special award was given to the Ramadan Celebratory Concert from the Sarajevo National Theater. The student jury agreed with the regular jury on The Wonderful Flight. Besides the traditional showings of films about music and dance, this year's festival offered a number of recorded concert performances ranging from classical music through pop, rock and country to jazz and world music. The international jury, including representatives of renowned television companies and headed by last year's winner Larry Weinstein, reviewed 125 films from 30 countries. The audience had a chance to see more than 40 public projections in two Prague cinemas, MAT and Evald. In Zofin all the competing films were shown in improvised videostands. The low price of a ticket price of 20 crowns was given to the Barriers account. Zuzana Galova/Jan Martinek Mlada Fronta Awards The Mlada Fronta Publishers' Award was given to the Czech historian Frantisek Kavka for his books The Last Luxembourg on the Czech Throne and Charles IV - The Life of a Great Emperor. Katerina Vinsova and Sarka Grauova received awards for translation. Jozef Sodomka was honored for his graphic work on the novel translated by Grauova. A prize was also given to Petr Borkovec for his book of poetry Field Work. Jana Kadlecova/Zuzana Janeckova SPORTS Hockey World Championships: Czechs in Finals The thrilling last game against Sweden in the quarterfinal group and (after our deadline) another win in the two-game semifinal series against Canada moved the Czech Republic's national hockey team into the final of the World Championships in Norway. Recent Czech success, including a world championship in 1996 and the Nagano Olympics gold, continues. The Czechs had to work hard to advance to the semifinals. After an easy advance from their first-round group, they were shocked by a 1-6 debacle against Russia. Czech player Tomas Vlasak opened the scoring, but then Russia scored three times in the first period and goalkeeper Roman Cechmanek was replaced by Milan Hnilicka, who made some good saves but allowed three more goals. In the game against Slovakia, Slovakia led 2-0 after 12 minutes. The Czech team then took advantage of two power plays and tied the score before the first break. The second period was decisive, as the Czechs scored four unanswered goals and defeated Slovakia 8-2, the worst Slovak loss ever in the World Championships Pool A. Slovakia tied Russia 2-2, making the Czech road to the semifinals easier. To advance, the Czech Republic simply had to defeat Sweden. Goalkeepers Milan Hnilicka and Tommy Salo were flawless in the first period, but in the second period Salo, trying a pass during the Czech power play, hit forechecking Martin Prochazka and the puck deflected into the empty goal. Five minutes later Viktor Ujcik scored the second Czech goal, and Hnilicka did not allow a goal, so the Czechs advanced. "Hnilicka was the second Hasek today," defender Pavel Kubina said. Each semifinal series is two games, but if the treams split the games, overtime follows, with the final possibility of a shootout. Results of the quarterfinal group: Czech Republic - Russia 1-6 (1-3, 0-0, 0-3). Goal: Tomas Vlasak. Czech Republic - Slovakia 8-2 (2-2, 4-0, 2-0). Goals: Jan Caloun, Petr Sykora, Martin Rucinsky, David Vyborny, Roman Simicek, Pavel Patera, Jan Hlavac, Radek Dvorak. Czech Republic - Sweden 2-0 (0-0, 2-0, 0-0). Goals: Martin Prochazka, Viktor Ujcik. Standings of the quarterfinal group: 1. Czech Republic 4, 2. Sweden 4, 3. Russia 3, 4. Slovakia 1. Stepan Etrych/Mirek Langer After deadline: Semifinal series: Czech Republic - Canada 1-2 and 6-4. The Czechs advanced after winning the shootout and will meet Finland in the finals. Soccer League: Slavia and Sparta Each Score Four Goals Slavia answered Sparta's four-goal explosion by winning on a hot Opava field 4-0, with two goals scored in the first six minutes. It was Opava's first home loss. Sparta proved why it leads the standings with one of the spring's best performances in beating Brno. Teplice, trying to stay with the Prague teams, picked up three points in Drnovice, which reacted to the loss by firing coach Ivan Kopecky, who will return to the post of sports director. Former Brno coach Karel Vecera will be the new Drnovice coach. A number of teams are bunched at the bottom of the standings. Plzen defeated Pribram, dropping Pribram to 15th (second-to-last) place. Karvina remains last, but its hopes are still alive after a victory against Blsany. Results of the 26th round: Sparta Praha - Brno 4-1, Karvina - Blsany 2-0, Drnovice - Teplice 0-2, Plzen - Dukla Pribram 2-1, Olomouc - Liberec 3-0, Jablonec - Zizkov 0-1, Hradec Kralove - Ostrava 0-2, Opava - Slavia Praha 0-4. Standings after the 26th round: 1. Sparta Praha 53, 2. Slavia Praha 48, 3. Teplice 46, 4. Olomouc 42, 5. Ostrava 38, 6. Brno 37, 7. Blsany 37, 8. Drnovice 36, 9. Liberec 34, 10. Zizkov 31, 11. Opava 30, 12. Hradec Kralove 30, 13. Jablonec 29, 14. Plzen 26, 15. Dukla Pribram 24, 16. Karvina 22. Jirka Wazik/Mirek Langer After deadline: 27th round: Dukla Pribram - Karvina 3-1, Zizkov - Sparta Praha 1-6, Jablonec - Olomouc 3-2, Brno - Hradec Kralove 0-1, Ostrava - Plzen 0-1, Slavia Praha - Liberec 1-0, Teplice - Opava 4-0, Blsany - Drnovice 3-1. SPORTS IN BRIEF * Managements of the Jablonec and Liberec soccer clubs are considering a merger to create a single strong club for northern Bohemia. The new club would be called Podjestedsky SK and could compete with the perennial Prague powers. * Javelin-thrower Jan Zelezny returned after a shoulder injury from longer than a year ago and won the the Grand Prix event in Osaka, Japan with a throw of 87.57 meters. * Mlekarna Kunin won the Czech men's basketball league title, defeating USK Praha 4-0 in the final series. * Antonin Kasper finished fifth in the first Speedway Grand Prix event in Prague's Marketa Stadium, won by Poland's Tomasz Gollob. Jirka Wazik, Josef Koukolicek/Mirek Langer WEATHER Monday - street vendors suffer from heat stroke. 25 degrees Celsius/77 degrees Fahrenheit. The sun is torturing us. Tuesday - the rains threatened, but did not come. Have mercy on us! Will sunshine be our destiny? The same temperature. Wednesday - slight wind. Similar temperatures. Shall humanity be saved? Thursday - clouds appear in the sky. The first drops of rain fall. People are in the streets. Dancing in the rain. New life was given to the living. Friday - It's raining. Bloody weather. Zuzana Janeckova/Zuzana Janeckova English version edited by Michael Bluhm. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEARCHABLE CAROLINA ARCHIVE ONLINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 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