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 350, Friday, November 5, 1999. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (October 27 - November 3) President Honors 26 Outstanding Individuals On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia October 28, 1918, President Vaclav Havel honored 26 people in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. In his speech, Havel talked about the Czech Republic's integration into the EU. The Order of T.G. Masaryk, named for the first president of the former Czechoslovakia and given for significant merit in promoting democracy and human rights, was awarded to Oldrich Cerny, who in exile supported Czech dissidents. The same award was given posthumously to Josef Karel Matocha, who after 1948 defended the church and the people and was imprisoned, and also posthumously to Premysl Janyr, political prisoner after the 1948 Communist coup and exile author. The Medal for Heroism was given to Josef Slavik, who found a tragic death during the floods in 1998 in the Pulice village while trying to warn others, and also posthumously to Colonel Karel Pavlik, commander of the Frydek-Mistek army unit that resisted the Nazi army of occupation in 1939. Havel awarded the Medal for Merit to screenplay author Jan Prochazka, violinist Josef Suk, Jara Cimrman Theater co-founders Ladislav Smoljak and Zdenek Sverak, globetrotters Miroslav Zikmund and Jiri Hanzelka and hockey coach Ivan Hlinka. Jaroslav Svelch/Sofia Karakeva Police Again Sides with Neo-Nazis During celebrations of October 28 almost 400 members of the National Front (Vlastenecka Fronta) and the National Protest (Narodni odpor) surrounded the statue of Jan Zizka on Prague's Vitkov hill. The air was full of chauvinism and xenophobia around the equestrian statue of the one-eyed general who led Bohemian forces in the Hussite Wars. Members of the hate groups questioned the existence of the Holocaust and cried slogans like Sieg Heil. At the same time about 300 people from the Czechoslovak Anarchist Federation gathered in Prague's Tesnov for an anti-fascist demonstration against racism and xenophobia. When demonstrators decided to march to Vitkov they were surrounded by the police SWAT teams and Prague City Police, who stopped them from leaving. Demonstrators disbanded and after some time re-assembled in Peace Square (namesti Miru). After a few speeches, the demonstration began a march downtown. The police once again stopped them, this time to allow the march of the neo-Nazis to proceed - under the reasoning that the neo-Nazis had a permit for their gathering. After the neo-Nazi march passed by, police surrounded the anti-fascist demonstrators and attacked them and take them away in paddywagons. The neo-Nazis were allowed to end their successful and peaceful day at the statue of Saint Wenceslas in Wenceslas Square. Among the anti-fascists was Lukas Rychetsky, student of the John Huss Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague and the son of Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Rychetsky. Pavel Rychetsky said part of the police sympathizes with the neo-Nazis. The Government asked Interior Minister Vaclav Grulich to re-open discussions on abolishing neo-Nazi organizations. Grulich sent letters to such organizations and warned them they would be disbanded if they continue with similar activities. However, only officially registered organizations can be disbanded, while the most-active neo-Nazi organization, the National Protest (Narodni odpor), is not registered. Jakub Trnka/Sofia Karakeva Four-Party Coalition Tries to Dump Government The Four-Party Coalition (the Christian Democrats, the Freedom Union, the Civic Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Union) are trying to arrange for a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies, to end the term of Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Cabinet. To start the process, the Four-Party Coalition needs the support of 50 deputies in the 200-seat chamber, but the coalition has 37 representatives there. The chairmen of the parties called on dissatisfied Social Democrats and Civic Democratic Party deputies to join the petition. To overthrow the Government, 101 deputies must stand against the Cabinet. Civic Democratic Party and Chamber of Deputies Chairman Vaclav Klaus rejected the initiative, saying that it is not possible to overthrow the Government without a clear vision of a new administration. He also said the coalition had changed its stance that it is impossible to negotiate about a new government without first canceling the Opposition Contract. Jan Skala/Jakub Jirovec Deputy Prime Minister Lansky Resigns The second member of Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Government to leave office is Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Policy and Security Egon Lansky, who was also responsible for country's preparation for the European Union. Zeman announced Lansky's resignation October 28 at a meeting with President Vaclav Havel. Lansky will resign after he comes back from the hospital, where he has been because of unspecified health problems. Havel will not be able to accept the resignation for another 14 days, because he is on vacation in Portugal. The official reason for Lansky's resignation is health problems, but the media have speculated about other reasons. Lansky illegally opened a bank account in Austria without the Czech National Bank's permission, and then received about 10,000 USD in questionable circumstances related to a state deal. Lansky also failed to coordinate the work of ministers responsible for legislative harmonization demanded by the European Union. Lansky's agenda relating to the European Union will probably be taken over by Deputy Foreign Minister Pavel Telicka. David Mirejovsky/Jakub Jirovec Prime Minister's Adviser Accused of Blackmail One of the biggest scandals to hit the Social Democrat Government broke out when Prime Minister Milos Zeman's adviser Jaroslav Novotny and Foreign Minister Jan Kavan were accused of blackmailing Vaclav Hruby, former director of the convention center at Stirin Castle. Kavan fired Hruby in September, citing bad management. Hruby claims, however, that Novotny tried to blackmail Hruby into creating false documents to show former Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec had corrupted journalists. Zeman said in June that Zieleniec had corrupted journalists, which Zeman said he found out from Kavan. Neither Zeman nor Kavan have yet come up with any proof of the charge, although both have repeatedly promised they would. Hruby October 27 went public with recordings of three phone calls from Novotny in August and September. Novotny openly talks about blackmailing here. "... when you do, what, between us, can of course be called blackmailing..., you will be let alone, have peace and will even get some cash," said Novotny on the tape according to a transcription in the daily Lidove noviny. Later Novotny claims Kavan knows about the deal. Kavan denies that and, just like Zeman, claims he knows nothing at all about the episode. Some Social Democrats are beginning to call for an explanation of the whole affair. Novotny did not deny the authenticity of calls in his statement, questioning only their completeness. Hruby said nothing was cut out of the tapes. Novotny claims he was framed. Jakub Tronicek/Ondrej Maly After deadline: At Zeman's urging, Novotny resigned. Sverma Statue Taken down Disputes over the Prague statue of Communist Party official Jan Sverma ended November 2. At 7 a.m., a crane arrived at Stefanik Bridge (Sverma Bridge until 1997) and took it down. Representatives of Prague's first district decided to remove the statue two years ago, and first district Mayor Jan Burgermeister said the council was just fulfilling its promise, Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Prague representatives of Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) expressed their disapproval with the act. Zeman said the dismantling was a "political pathology." KSCM Prague Chairman Jan Dolejs said the removal was an act of cultural barbarism and intolerance. "We do not consider the removal final act and we will try to change this decision. The statue should remain in a dignified and public place," said Dolejs in a proclamation sent to City Hall. Sverma's statue was seen by some as a symbol of the era of normalization in the 70's after the Soviet-led invasion, while others reject any connection to that era. Sverma (1901-1944) joined the Czechoslovak Communist Party in 1921. He worked closely with former Czechoslovak President Klement Gottwald, often arguing with him over Sverma's interpretation of Komintern policy according to Czechoslovak democratic traditions. Sverma had to express self-criticism, so he could stay on as editor-in-chief of the party daily Rude pravo until the party was banned in 1936. Sverma died in 1944 in combat during the Slovak National Uprising. Tereza Tesarikova/Ondrej Maly NEWS IN BRIEF * The health of former Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) Chairman Josef Lux, who underwent a bone-marrow transplant at the end of September in Seattle, is stable. Lux, who was released from the hospital in Seattle into intensive homecare two weeks ago, still must take care to avoid infection. According to his physician Kris Doney, nothing conclusive will be known for another six months. * Former members of the ruling Czech Social Democrat Party (CSSD) from the Teplice and Vyskov regions established a new political party during the weekend of October 30-31 - the Czech Social Democrat Movement (CSDH). Pavel Svoboda was elected chairman by delegates of the inaugural congress. The party's program could be briefly characterized as "social policy for the widest groups of the population with essential elements of Slavic solidarity." The main impetus for establishing the new party was, according to the chairman's statement, the fact that the Social Democrats did not fulfill the promises it gave to its voters. * Some 17 per cent of poll respondents are satisfied with the development of the Czech Republic after 1989. It is the lowest figure of all surrounding post-communist countries. The results of the poll, taken by Vienna's Fessel & Gfk Institute, were published recently in Brussels. Twenty-six per cent of Polish respondents, 24 per cent of Bulgarians, 23 per cent of Hungarians, 22 per cent of Romanians and 18 per cent of Slovaks said the change of political systems met their expectations. Petra Kovacova and Gabriela Bobkova/Simon Dominik FOREIGN AFFAIRS Zeman Offers Latvians Military Airplanes and Trolley-Buses During his visit to Riga from October 31 to November 2, Prime Minister Milos Zeman began negotiations that should lead to the sale of Czech military aircraft to the Latvian Army. The Latvians, led by Prime Minister Andris Skel, said they are pleased they can consult matters of national security with the Czech Republic, particularly now that the Czech Republic is a member of NATO. Zeman also offered Czech trolley-buses and other transportation vehicles to Latvia. At the end of his visit he said Latvia had a great chance to become the center of Baltic trade. The annual volume of Czech exports to Latvia is 63 million USD. It exceeds that of import from Latvia about ten times. Zeman said the Czech Republic exports more to Latvia than into China or India. Latvia, with a population 2.5 million, is a dynamic country still getting out from under the former Soviet Union - the last Russian soldier left Latvia last month. Because of the Asian and Russian crises, Latvia's economic growth declined from 8 per cent in 1997 to this year's 1.2 per cent. Martin Rusek/Simon Dominik FROM SLOVAKIA October 28 Not a Memorable Day in Slovakia Each anniversary of the founding of the former Czechoslovakia October 28, 1918, sparks debate about the relevance of this day for Slovak history. Peter Bohunicky, assemblyman for the Party of the Democratic Left, initiated a bill to make the day a public holiday. The National Assembly modified the motion, proposing October 28 to be a memorial day but not a holiday. However, the National Assembly did not have a quorum October 29 and could not vote, leaving the issue unresolved. Some critics of making October 28 a holiday prefer instead October 30, 1918, when the Slovak nation declared in the Martin Declaration its willingness to join the new Czechoslovak state. Opposition parties claim there is no reason to celebrate those days at all, because cohabitation in the Czechoslovak state favored the Czechs. This year's debate was concluded by an official wreath-laying ceremony October 30 at the statues of Czechoslovak founding fathers of Slovak descent Tomas Garrigue Masaryk and Milan Rostislav Stefanik. Andrea Slovakova/Milan Smid Slovakia 10 Years after the End of Communism During a lecture called Slovakia 10 Years After the Revolution held in this school November 2, former actress and Slovak presidential candidate Magda Vasaryova said sophisticated bilateral relations are a necessary condition for Slovakia to join NATO and the EU. She also said such relations were a main priority of Slovak foreign policy. Vasaryova highlighted relations between Slovakia and Ukraine, because their development is one of the factors which will determine the acceptance of Slovakia to NATO. She also cited relations with the Balkans, where Slovakia, with the help of the US, is participating in the renewal of public initiatives. In regard to the current question of Slovak-Vatican relations, she expressed positive sentiments and said both sides needed to compromise. In discussion with students, Vasaryova, head of the Slovak Foreign Policy Society, said Slovak relations with Hungary are very satisfactory thanks to the present political leadership of Hungary. In relation to Russia she criticized long-term agreements for gas and oil delivery. In reference to relations with the Czech Republic, Vasaryova said the case of import duties imposed in Slovakia, where the Czech-Slovak Customs Union Council was informed 24 hours before the duties became valid, did not correspond to the special relationship the two countries enjoy. Andrea Slovakova/Veronika Hankusova ECONOMY Unemployment Rate Nearly Steady The number of unemployed people has been growing more slowly in recent months. The unemployment rate for October was 9.2 per cent, the September rate was 9 per cent. The Government has been giving financial support to large companies and foreign investors are offering jobs. Labor Office officials said they were surprised that companies are only slowly firing redundant employees. Economists expect the unemployment rate to reach 10 per cent by the end of the year. Jaroslav Svelch/Petra Kovacova Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid November 5) -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 36.745 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 22.372 Great Britain 1 GBP 57.660 Denmark 1 DKK 4.943 Japan 100 JPY 33.413 Canada 1 CAD 23.889 IMF 1 XDR 47.610 Hungary 100 HUF 14.374 Norway 1 NOK 4.445 New Zealand 1 NZD 17.950 Poland 1 PLN 8.159 Greece 100 GRD 11.188 Slovakia 100 SKK 84.308 Slovenia 100 SIT 18.680 Sweden 1 SEK 4.234 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.851 USA 1 USD 35.065 Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 18.787 Belgium 100 BEF 91.088 Finland 1 FIM 6.180 France 1 FRF 5.602 Ireland 1 IEP 46.657 Italy 1000 ITL 18.977 Luxemburg 100 LUF 91.088 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.674 Portugal 100 PTE 18.328 Austria 1 ATS 2.670 Spain 100 ESP 22.084 CULTURE Semafor Theater Celebrates 40th Anniversary A gala evening full of reminiscences of the past 40 years of the existence of Prague's Semafor Theater took place October 30 in the Karlin Music Theater (Hudebni divadlo Karlin). Besides Jiri Suchy, the leader of the theater whose name is inextricably connected to the theater's history, many other Czech celebrities took part in the celebration. Songs were performed by Waldemar Matuska, Karel Gott, Pavlina Filipovska, Hana Hegerova, Eva Pilarova and Ferdinand Havlik and his Big Band. The audience, which included President Vaclav Havel and his wife, saw scenes from contemporary plays The Bouquet (Kytice), A Well-Paid Walk (Dobre placena prochazka) or My Heart Is a Zimmer Frei (Me srdce je Zimmer-frei). The Semafor Theater opened October 30, 1959, with the play A Man from the Attic (Clovek z pudy). No one at that time knew that the theater's leaders, Suchy and Jiri Slitr, would create a comic theater to follow the famed tradition of the Liberated Theater (Osvobozene divadlo), a stage which became a legend between the wars thanks to Jan Werich and Jiri Voskovec. The golden era of the Semafor Theater ended with the death of Slitr at Christmas 1969. Suchy did not let the theater die, though, and began a new series of works with his partner, Jitka Molavcova. Stars whose origins were the Semafor stage usually broke with the theater once they became famous. Some said Suchy did not want to lose his position as leader, others said the artists wanted more than the theater could give them. After 1989, the theater broke up into three troupes, but the quality of the productions sank quickly. Suchy, however, remains the centerpiece of the theater's history and the texts he wrote for the theater's songs are still sung by all generations today. Alzbeta Trousilova/Daniela Vrbova Film Version of Olbracht Short Story Karel Kachyna, well-known Czech director, has created the new film Hanele based on Ivan Olbracht's famed story, The Sad Eyes of Hana Karadzicova. The story of a girl from an orthodox Jewish family who falls in love with a non-believing Jew has fascinated Czech directors. The late master Frantisek Vlacil also intended to use Olbracht's story and Kachyna has once directed a similar plot in the film movie The Cow (Krava), which was very successful. Michal Pospisil/Zuzana Janeckova Stepanka Hanicincova Died Stepanka Hanicincova, writer and host of childern's television shows, died October 27 at the age of 68. Hanicincova studied acting and dramaturgy at the Czech Academy of Theater Arts. She worked in Czechoslovak Television from 1953, creating a specific genre for several generations of children. The marriage of her daughter to a Charter 77 signatory kept her out of television work from 1981 until 1989, after which she returned to the screen and to the airwaves. Michal Pospisil/Zuzana Janeckova CULTURE IN BRIEF * On October 27 the members of the Czech Film and Television Academy chose as the Czech candidate for this year's Oscar for best foreign-language film The Return of Idiot (Navrat Idiota) by director and screenwriter Sasa Gedeon. The film, which has won international awards, defeated finalists Cozy Nests (Pelisky) from Jan Hrebejk and All My Beloved Ones (Vsichni moji blizci) of Matej Minac. Slovak director Minac's film was chosen to represent Slovakia. Michal Pospisil/Jaroslav Sauer * From October 27-30 the third Jihlava Documentary Film Festival took place in Jihlava's Dukla Theater. The festival, created thanks to the initiative of a local high school, has a good reputation among Czech filmgoers and critics. For the first time, films from various countries were presented by their creators. The Kodak Vision Audience Award was won by The Day of Bread by Sergei Dvortsevoi, a Russian filmmaker. The festival's web site is www.dokument-festival.cz. Marek Uhlir/Jaroslav Sauer SPORTS Champions League: Sparta Wins Group G In its last game in the Champions League, Sparta Praha defeated Spartak Moscow 5-2 November 3 and won the group. It earned 12 points and did not lose a game. Sparta started the game in an excellent fashion - Vratislav Lokvenc opened the scoring in the 42nd second and after Tomas Rosicky's goal Sparta led 2-0 in the 11th minute. But it could not keep its lead until the end of the half - Viktor Bulatov and Artem Bezrodnyi tied the score at 2-2. However, the second half started just like the first one - with a Sparta goal, this time from Milan Fukal. Moscow's Andrei Tikhonov then deflected Vladimir Labant's shot with his hand, was sent off and Labant converted the penalty. The last goal was registered on Labant's free kick and Lokvenc's header. Dita Kristanova and Alzbeta Trousilova/Mirek Langer Soccer League: Viktoria Zizkov Concedes Five Goals in Pribram Hradec Kralove, the last-place team in the soccer standings, surprised Brno 2-1 in a preplayed game of the top league's 12th round. Sparta defeated Blsany 3-1 in an game dominated by offense, while Slavia tied Teplice 1-1. The gap between the two leading teams in the standings closed to one point. Zizkov fell into last place in the standings after a loss in Pribram. Both of Zizkov's goals were scored by former Pribram striker Kincl, but his former team won 5-2. Results of the 12th round: Brno - Hradec Kralove 1-2, Teplice - Slavia Praha 1-1, Sparta Praha - Blsany 3-1, Pribram - Zizkov 5-2, Opava - Drnovice 2-0, Jablonec - Olomouc 0-0, Ceske Budejovice - Liberec 0-1, Bohemians Praha - Ostrava 0-0. Standings: 1. Slavia Praha 28, 2. Sparta Praha 27, 3. Drnovice 20, 4. Ceske Budejovice 20, 5. Bohemians Praha 18, 6. Teplice 18, 7. Ostrava 17, 8. Liberec 15, 9. Opava 13, 10. Pribram 13, 11. Jablonec 13, 12. Olomouc 12, 13. Brno 12, 14. Hradec Kralove 12, 15. Blsany 11, 16. Zizkov 8. Dita Kristanova/Mirek Langer Hockey Extraleague: Litvinov Marches on Fans' interest centered on Vladimir Vujtek and Martin Prochazka's comebacks from the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers. Vujtek will play for Sparta Praha and Prochazka will return to Vsetin. First-place Plzen was beaten by Litvinov 1-6 in the 17th round. Robert Kysela and Jan Alinc each scored two goals. Trinec players were evidently suffering no ill effects from the illness that caused them to postpone two games: they defeated the reigning champion Vsetin 8-3. With a pair of 2-2 ties, Ceske Budejovice and Zlin prolonged their home unbeaten streaks. The first two scoreless ties of the season were recorded in the 18th round in Plzen and Kladno. Vitkovice has not won in 10 games. On the contrary, Litvinov has not lost in nine games - both its goals in a 2-2 tie against Sparta were scored by Robert Reichel, while Sparta's Jaroslav Hlinka scored also twice. Results of the 17th round: Trinec - Vsetin 8-3, Zlin - Znojmo 2-2, Karlovy Vary - Vitkovice 5-1, Slavia Praha - Kladno 3-2, Litvinov - Plzen 6-1, Ceske Budejovice - Sparta Praha 2-2, Pardubice - Havirov 2-1. Results of the 18th round: Sparta Praha - Litvinov 2-2, Plzen - Slavia Praha 0-0, Karlovy Vary - Zlin 2-7, Havirov - Ceske Budejovice 1-0, Znojmo - Trinec 7-2, Kladno - Vitkovice 0-0, Vsetin - Pardubice 5-3. Standings: 1. Plzen 26, 2. Zlin 25, 3. Vsetin 23, 4. Litvinov 22, 5. Sparta Praha 20, 6. Ceske Budejovice 18, 7. Trinec 17, 8. Slavia Praha 16, 9. Karlovy Vary 15, 10. Znojmo 15, 11. Vitkovice 14, 12. Pardubice 14, 13. Kladno 13, 14. Havirov 10. Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer WEATHER: Although it's November, the weather is still bearable and temperatures continue to reach 10 degrees Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit. That is somewhat unusual for this season, because the long-term average temperature is just more than 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. Our eastern neighbor is enjoy unseasonably warm weather, too: meteorologists in Bratislava recorded temperatures of about 13 degrees Celsius/55 degrees Fahrenheit. Petra Kovacova/Petra Kovacova English 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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