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 359, Friday, January 21, 2000. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (January 12 - January 19) ODS and CSSD to Broaden Opposition Contract After five hours of negotiations, the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD) agreed with the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) January 14 on an amendment to the Opposition Contract, which allows the minority CSSD Government to exist in exchange for prime state posts for ODS. The amendment is comprised of five agreements - on the budget proposal for 2000 and further budget planning, on changes to the Electoral Act, on joining the EU, on ODS tolerance of the minority Government and on communication between the parties' parliamentary clubs. ODS will support the Cabinet's third budget proposal only if the agreements are finished. ODS and CSSD each named two representatives to prepare the agreements. Both parties said the Opposition Contract was assuring the stability of constitutional institutions, and recent months had proved there is no other alternative. The vote on the budget had been scheduled for January 18 but was postponed until January 26 to provide more time to negotiate the first two agreements. Before the January 14 CSSD-ODS meeting, some media published a report that the Social Democrats offered the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) the abolition of the Opposition Contract in exchange for supporting the budget. Christian Democrat Vice Chairman Cyril Svoboda confirmed the rumor, while Prime Minister Milos Zeman strongly denied any offer was made. The Christian Democrats and the Freedom Union (US) reacted negatively to the broadening of the Opposition Contract. Freedom Union Chairman Karel Kuhnl said the amendment signals the founding of a new "dual-party" and that both parties were really agreeing on the preservation of their positions of power. Christian Democrat Chairman Jan Kasal said the fulfillment of the agreements will mean the utter demoralization of the Czech political scene. Kasal said both parties will pay dearly for their power play, because voters preferences of the Four-Party Coalition (US, KDU-CSL and two small parties) will rise. Czech Physicians' Chamber Asks Pacients to Sponsor Doctors The Czech Physicians' Chamber (CLK) called on pacients to sponsor their doctors, according to a flyer published in CLK's magazine Tempus Medicorum and distributed among doctors since January 14. The magazine also contains a sample Sponsorship Agreement to be signed by pacient and doctor. The new conflict in healthcare financing began when the Government announced it was lowering the amount the state-owned General Health Insurance (Vseobecna zdravotni pojistovna, VZP) would pay doctors for services in the first half of 2000. CLK President David Rath said the decision will lead to a significant decrease in the quality and availability of healthcare. Rath said the prices set by the Government mean doctors will receive an average of 7 per cent less for their services, emergency specialists 15 per cent less and hospitals 10 per cent less. Rath said if health insurance companies do not adhere to the CLK request to ignore the Government decision, CLK will ask pacients for sponsorship gifts. A minimum first gift should be 100 crowns while each successive visit should cost the pacient at least 50 crowns. The Czech Press Agency (CTK) reported January 19 that all health insurance companies were respecting the Government decision. Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla, temporarily in charge of the Health Ministry after the resignation of Ivan David, expressed his opposition to sponsorship. He warned that doctors who accept money might be violating their agreements with insurance companies and laws on public health insurance and healthcare. The Pacients' Union is also against sponsorship. Rath said the gift is not compulsory and its non-payment will not threaten care for pacients. Doctors were to ask for sponsorship gifts from January 17. Notices asking for sponsorship gifts were not visible in the majority of the medical offices. Some doctors and healthcare facilities have also rejected the sponsorship idea on ethical grounds. Jan Palach and Jan Zajic Monument Opens on Wenceslas Square Thirty-one years after the self-immolations of Jan Palach and Jan Zajic they were honored by a monument in front of the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square in Prague. Palach and Zajic, in 1969 both students of the College of Humanities (Filozoficka fakulta) of Charles University, killed themselves to protest the lethargy of the people after the Soviet-led occupation of Czechoslovakia by the armies of the Warsaw Pact in 1968. Officials from Prague's First District and Palach's hometown of Vsetaty were present at the unveiling of the monument. Unlike last year's 30-year anniversary commemorative ceremonies, no Czech political leaders attended the unveiling. Palach immolated himself January 16, 1969 and died three days later. He was followed by two men - Zajic and worker Emil Plocek. The students' deed is comemmorated by two low grave-like mounds with a cross. The memorial, created by artist Barbora Vesela and architects Cestmir Houska and Jiri Vesely, shows a figure resembling a torch. "Although the memorial is not big it represents big ideas, love of country and the resolve to fight for it," said Antonin Vrba of the Vsetaty-based Jan Palach Society. Others comemmorated Palach at the Olsany Cemetery, where Palach's remains were moved from Vsetaty in 1990. Prison Protests End Prison inmates' protests, set off in half the country's prisons, ended January 13. No unrest has been noted since then. Some prisoners continue their hunger strikes, but their number has decreased. The greatest number of hunger strikers are in Vinarice Prison, where the protests began. Hunger strikes were also held in prisons in Valdice, Hermanice and Kurim. The main cause of prisoner dissatisfaction is overcrowding. They also protested against new prison laws which force them to pay rent for their stay in prison. The protests evidently led to improvements in hygiene and food (the daily amount spent per prisoner will increase from 35 crowns to 45 crowns). Prison Service officials did not respond to calls for personnel changes in the management in various prisons nor to dissatisfaction with the new laws. Two Winners for Record Lottery Jackpot Two happy winners, who exactly guessed all six numbers in the Sportka lottery January 12, will split the record jackpot of 108 million crowns. The largest single win in Sportka's history still remains the 59,995,067 crowns won last June. The size of the jackpot caused a betting fever: on the last day before the drawing on-line betting systems recorded 2.5 million transactions. The television station Prima claimed people purchased tickets worth 288 million crowns in the three days before the drawing. NEWS IN BRIEF * Operation Clean Hands, one of the trumps of the Social Democrats' 1998 election campaign, has not achieved the expected results. Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslav Basta and his Coordination-Analytic Group (KAS) anti-corruption activities will be taken over by the offices of Justice Minister Otakar Motejl and Attorney General Marie Benesova. Basta's group is going to be dissolved by June 30 and a new public prosecutor's office for economic crime will be established. * According to a poll taken by the STEM agency, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) would be the strongest party in Parliament if elections were held today. ODS' voter preferences were 22.1 per cent. The Communists (KSCM) were in second place with 17.9 per cent, the Social Democrats in third with 15.4 per cent. Only two other parties would reach the 5-per-cent minimum necessary for getting seats in Parliament - the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) with 12 per cent and the Freedom Union (US) with 10.6 per cent. * The Senate January 13 did not approve the new Press Act and returned it to the Chamber of Deputies with several amendments. The Senate wants to increase the number of copies given by publishers free of charge to public libraries. The Senate also proposes shortening the deadline for publishing a reply or a rectification from eight days to five days from the date of receiving such a request. * The Czech Television Council, the nine-member supervisory body with the authority to appoint the general director of public-service broadcaster Czech Television (CT), has selected five candidates for position of general director. Ivo Mathe, former general director and current chief of staff for President Vaclav Havel, is not included, in spite of the fact that several professional groups (CT employees, producers and technicians) lobbied heavily for his reappointment. The successor to Jakub Puchalsky who stepped down December 15 (see Carolina 357) will be chosen from: Zdenek Drahos (head of CT's Brno regional studio), Ilja Racek (theater director, now working in the Culture Ministry), Dusan Chmelicek (head of CT's legal department), Kamil Cermak (marketing director of Czech Telecom) and Petr Sladecek (former program director of TV NOVA who did not join Vladimir Zelezny in deserting his American investors, CME). * Ivan Langer, Vice Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), said in an internet debate with readers of the iDNES e-zine that ODS Chairman Vaclav Klaus is the best candidate to be the next Czech president. "Since Vaclav Havel cannot be elected for the next term, I am convinced that there is no other personality in the Czech Republic with such prestige and authority at home and abroad, and at the same time has such experience as a statesman, than Vaclav Klaus," wrote Ivan Langer an answer to a question from a iDNES internet reader. * The Constitutional Court decided that the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) is the owner of the People's House (Lidovy dum). The legality of CSSD's ownership of the People's House, the party headquarters in downtown Prague built at the turn of the century and expropriated by the Communists in 1948, was called into the doubt by the state authorities, particularly the Finance Ministry, after 1990. In the meantime the party rented office space in the People's House to an Austrian company, BH Centrum, which paid rent into a frozen bank account for several years. Party Vice Chairman Karel Kobes said the sum of about 180 million crowns on the now-unblocked bank account will help improve the financial situation of the party. The People's House, which now houses the American Cultural Center, was formerly the Lenin Museum. FROM SLOVAKIA Premier to Found New Party Mikulas Dzurinda, premier and chairman of the ruling Slovak Democratic Coalition, January 17 announced his intention to found a new political party: the Slovak Democratic Christian Union (SDKU). His announcement immediately sparked a wave of opposition, namely from the ranks of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a member party of the Government coalition. KDH Chairman and Justice Minister Jan Carnogursky said "by the declaration of the SDKU the SDK ceases to exist," and that his party regretted that fact. Dzurinda claims the SDK will not dissolve and will continue to fulfill its campaign promises. The governing coalition's priority now is to last the entirety of its term of office and hold regular elections, because early elections would give an advantage to the opposition Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) of former Premier Vladimir Meciar. HZDS announced January 15 it would begin circulating a petition to call for early elections. The SDK was formed by five parties before the 1998 elections to defeat Meciar, but today only the KDH would probably muster enough voter support to make it into the legislature. FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF * As of January 15, Slovak citizens traveling to Finland must have a visa. Finland introduced the requirement again (after canceling it in November) when some 200 Slovak Romanies requested asylum in Finland around the Christmas holidays. The visa requirement will last until July 15. In Europe, Slovaks need visas for Norway, Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland. ECONOMY 1999 Budget Finishes with Deficit of 29.6 Billion Crowns The state budget deficit for 1999 was 29.6 billion crowns, 1.4 billion crowns less than projected. Prime Minister Milos Zeman's Government became the first since 1996 to fulfill its approved budget. Income totaled 567.3 billion crowns, 6.8 billion less than was planned, mainly because social insurance payments were some 16 billion crowns below estimates. Expenses reached 596.9 billion crowns. The budget deficit was equal to 1.6 per cent of the country's GDP. Government Considers Takeover of ZVVZ Milevsko Finance Ministry spokesman Libor Vacek said January 13 the Government is considering taking over the engineering company ZVVZ Milevsko, because the firm is to provide climate-control technology for a nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran. The Government would like to halt the deal, because it fears sanctions for bucking the embargo on providing Iran products connected to nuclear technology. ZVVZ Milevsko owner GES Holding has not commented on the issue, while the price of ZVVZ Milevsko's shares has been steadily rising. Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid January 21) -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 36.095 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 23.709 Great Britain 1 GBP 58.845 Denmark 1 DKK 4.848 Japan 100 JPY 33.828 Canada 1 CAD 24.620 IMF 1 XDR 48.810 Hungary 100 HUF 14.149 Norway 1 NOK 4.461 New Zealand 1 NZD 18.376 Poland 1 PLN 8.739 Greece 100 GRD 10.913 Slovakia 100 SKK 85.323 Slovenia 100 SIT 18.053 Sweden 1 SEK 4.196 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.353 USA 1 USD 35.731 Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 18.455 Belgium 100 BEF 89.477 Finland 1 FIM 6.071 France 1 FRF 5.503 Ireland 1 IEP 45.831 Italy 1000 ITL 18.642 Luxemburg 100 LUF 89.477 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.379 Portugal 100 PTE 18.004 Austria 1 ATS 2.623 Spain 100 ESP 21.694 CULTURE Josef Topol and Jiri Krupicka Win Czech PEN Club Awards A five-member jury headed by David Lukes awarded this year's Karel Capek Prize, sponsored by the Czech PEN Club, to dramatist Josef Topol. His name is connected with the legendary Theater behind the Gate (Divadlo za branou), where he worked with director Otomar Krejca and dramaturg Karel Kraus until the theater was banned in 1972. "Topol's life's work significantly affected postwar theater by discovering new dramatic methods for the Czech theater just as Karel Capek did before the war," said Lukes. "I'm terrified by it. My son Jachym (a novelist) laughs at me and says, 'Dad, enjoy it.' I guess I'm going to have to get used to it," said Topol. Topol received the prize January 16 in the residence of the Prague mayor. President Vaclav Havel also sent Topol a letter of congratulations. Jiri Krupicka was awarded the PEN Club's prize for the promotion of Czech literature. Krupicka, who studied philosophy and geology, emigrated after 1968 and worked as a professor of geology in Alberta, Canada. The award was accepted by Krupicka's grandson Martin Horak. It Is Dangerous to Insult Stars - Karel Gott and Expo 2000 A short column under the headline Hannovergott written by historian Zdenek Lukes published in the cultural supplement of the daily Lidove noviny January 6 launched a major national affair. Lukes criticized the fact that pop singer Karel Gott will be the top star at the Czech Republic's day at the Expo 2000 world's fair in Hannover, and said: "This zombie (Gott) has been haunting me since my childhood. From the middle of the 60's he has been spoiling the good taste of several generations." Gott was so offended by the column that he cancelled his appearance at Expo 2000 and threatened he never perform again in the Czech Republic. Gott's decision brought about replies from Culture Minister Pavel Dostal, General Commissar for Expo 2000 Vaclav Bartuska and President Vaclav Havel. Dostal appealed to Gott in an open letter not to be frustrated by the hatred of publicity-seekers with inferiority complexes. Gott also received support from Germany, where a Hannover radio station broadcasted a program Come, Karl, Come and Gott's fans organized a demonstration concluded by a rendition of a Gott song from the popular children' cartoon Maya the Little Bee (Die Biene Maja). After meeting with Dostal and Bartuska, Gott finally reversed his decision and agreed to go to Hannover. Gott said the Czech Republic certainly has better artists, but asked what art is worth if no one comes to see it. An editorial published by Lidove noviny said, "Karel Gott is of course not a sacred institution that cannot be criticized. We consider Karel Gott's campaign for his untouchability and freedom from criticism an attack on the freedom of our authors." SPORTS Pilsen Defeats Champion, Kladno Rises from Cellar The big event of the 36th round of the hockey extraleague was the defeat of last year's champ Vsetin by Pilsen (Plzen) 7-0. Vsetin was missing goalie Roman Cechmanek (hand injury) and could do nothing to stop their opponent's entertainment of its home fans. After a string of defeats, last-place Kladno won two straight matches and left the bottom of the standings, replaced by Vitkovice. Results of the 35th round: Trinec - Vitkovice 5:3, Zlin - Plzen 0:3, Litvinov - Karlovy Vary 3:3, Havirov - Vsetin 3:4, Pardubice - Slavia 1:1, C. Budejovice - Kladno 4:2, Sparta - Znojmo 3:1. Results of the 36th round: Kladno - Litvinov 5:3, Plzen - Vsetin 7:0, Zlin - Trinec 5:2, Karlovy Vary - Sparta 2:5, Znojmo - Havirov 8:4, Slavia - C. Budejovice 1:3, Vitkovice - Pardubice 1:3. Postponed matches (January 18): Kladno - Slavia 4:3, Trinec - Sparta 4:2 Standings after the 36th round: 1. Sparta 50 points, 2. Plzen 47, 3. Vsetin 47, 4. Zlin 45, 5. Ceske Budejovice 41, 6. Trinec 39, 7. Litvinov 36, 8. Znojmo 33, 9. Havirov 29, 10. Pardubice 29, 11. Slavia 28, 12. Karlovy Vary 27, 13. Kladno 25, 14. Vitkovice 24. WEATHER Cold, moist air did not warm up our cold souls, left to shiver during the exam period. Temperatures fluctuated quickly between 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit and minus 5 degree Celsius/22 degrees Fahrenheit, while rains and occasional snowstorms created slush in Prague's streets and snow emergencies in the countryside and on mountain roads. Fortunately, there were ways to bring warmth into our lives and souls via heated debates about Karel Gott being a zombie, about changes to the Opposition Contract and speculation on the next Czech Television general director. The prognosis for next week - wet and chilly weather brought to us by strong winds from western Europe. This issue of Carolina was written by Lubos Kratochvil, Ondrej Maly, Veronika Hankusova, Marek Uhlir (From Slovakia), Jakub Trnka (Economy), Jan Vedral Jr. (Culture and Weather) and David Luksu (Sports) and translated by Maly, Hankusova, Milan Smid and 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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