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 ISSN 121-5040 tel: (+4202) 22112252, fax: (+4202) 22112219 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* C A R O L I N A No 375, Friday, May 12, 2000. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (May 4 - May 10) V-E Day Celebrations in Pilsen Celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the end of WWII took place throughout the Czech Republic May 5-8. The most spectacular commemoration took place in Pilsen (Plzen). The city prepared a program spanning several days, meant primarily as a expression of gratitude to the American soldiers who liberated the city. There were many concerts and war documentaries. A monument to the 16th armored division was unveiled on Huss Avenue May 6. The most striking feature was the large number of veterans and military vehicles crowding the streets of Pilsen. Almost 150,000 people attended the celebrations, which peaked with a military parade held May 6. The parade featured many modern and historic military vehicles, surrounded by young and old men in uniform. Many visitors and veterans did not hide their tears: "I remember how I rode through this street 55 years ago. They gave us a beautiful welcome here then, but today it's much more beautiful and emotional," said one of the American veterans. From Pilsen, Jaroslav Sauer/Ondrej Maly Commerce Bank Management Faces Charges Czech police announced May 5 that nine former and current managers of the Commerce Bank (Komercni banka, KB) will be accused of violating the responsibilities of asset management. The management might also be accused of violating the rules of trade. The names of the accused were not published by the police, but among them are said to be former Chairman of the Board and General Director Jan Kollert and his deputies Petr Budinsky and Jaroslav Mares, according to Czech Television. Besides the nine managers, two former bank officers were also accused - Jirina Kaplanova and Ivana Neuhauslova. According to the police, all the accused were directly responsible for fraudulent dealings with Austrian company B.C.L. Trading, which led to losses of about 8 billion crowns for the bank. Money was loaned to the company for financing steel and wheat business, but was used for other aims and never returned. The investigation includes former bank General Director and current Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Senator Richard Salzmann, who is protected by immunity. The loans to B.C.L. Trading began in 1996, when Salzmann was in office. the police has since said Salzmann will not be accused. Jakub Trnka/Ondrej Maly Anarchists Demonstrate against Fascism The Anti-fascist Action, a Czech anarchist group, demonstrated May 6 on Prague's Peace Square (Namesti miru) against fascism and political repression. Demonstrators recalled the V-E Day anniversary, the danger of fascist ideology and they also protested against the officials who allegedly do not want to permit their demonstrations. About 50 anarchists then marched to the Czech Radio building on Vinohradska Street, where they intended to honor the memory of the victims of fascism. The police closed the street and warned the demonstrators that they were breaking the law. The anarchists shouted "Gestapo" and "police state." The demonstration ended as some anarchists walked in small groups to the Czech Radio building and laid the wreaths at the memorial plaque for the victims of the Prague Uprising, while others went back to Peace Square to continue with their happening. Tereza Tesarikova/Jakub Jirovec Prime Minister Loses Lawsuit with Miroslav Macek The High Court in Prague May 4 closed the lawsuit between Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice Chairman Miroslav Macek. Zeman two years ago called Macek a "thief" in connection with the privatization of the Book Warehouse. The court said the privatization was "strange" and "shameless," but Zeman did not have the right to decide publicly on Macek's guilt. Zeman will have to apologize in or during the public-affairs program Seven (Sedmicka) on TV NOVA, where he originally made the statement. Lenka Ludvikova/Jakub Jirovec Europe Day for Students University students had the opportunity to learn about the possibilities for studying abroad May 9 in the foyer of the Carolinum, the seat of Charles University in Prague. This meeting, called Europe to Students, was part of the Europe Day project. The day was organized to recall the 50th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which was the starting point for the unification of Europe. The main organizers of the event were the Foreign Ministry, the City of Prague, the Delegation of the European Council in Prague and Charles University in Prague. To mark Europe Day there were 10 activities held in Prague and meant to make citizens aware of the nature and the functioning of the EU. Students in the Carolinum could receive not only advice about scholarship programs at foreign universities, but also information about the EU and its members. Beside stands with leaflets and brochures, there were computers tied to the Internet with pages of relevant information. Video programs were shown on a wall between the stands, although they could not be heard and there was no place for prospective viewers. The Robert Schuman Declaration, made by the France's then-Foreign Minister, was introduced May 9, 1950. It tried to suppress the long-lasting enmity of France and Germany through the idea of European cooperation to prevent international conflict. As a result of the declaration, the European Community of Coal and Steel was founded one year later and it became one of the three pillars of the European Community, the predecessor of the European Union. That is why May 9 is celebrated as Europe Day. Michaela Kleckova from Carolinum/Daniela Vrbova FOREIGN AFFAIRS Havel a Welcome Guest in Germany President Vaclav Havel began his four-day visit to Germany May 9. His journey has been marked by a number of awards and warm welcomes. The only item on Havel's agenda May 9 was the presentation of the German Civic Awards, which Havel received from his friend and former German President Richard von Weizsacker. Havel's visit, his 13th since 1993, is to emphasize the new dimension of Czech-German relations, which seem now to be the best in history. Thanks to the Czech Republic joining NATO last year, Germany has become an ally. Havel is accepted in Germany not only as a well-known politician but also as a moral authority who helped to move Czech-German relations to where they stand today. This time, Havel was heading for Berlin and also for Potsdam and Regensburg. There, the Bavarian Premier Edmund Stoiber awaits Havel. Recently, Stoiber said the Czech Republic's EU membership should be conditional to the abolition of the Benes Decrees. The presidents of Germany and the Czech Republic May 10 exchanged their respective countries' highest state awards: Havel received Germany's Federal Cross for Merit and gave The Order of the White Lion to German President Johannes Rau. Michal Pospisil/Daniela Vrbova Compensation for Czech Forced Laborers in Austria is Unclear The Austrian government has not changed its position on compensating Czech forced laborers in WWII. Government envoy Maria Schaumayer said talks are not finished and people who can prove their claim for compensation will receive money from the compensation fund. Czech media May 10 published reports that Czech ambassador to Vienna Jiri Grusa signed an agreement with Schaumayer that resolved certain matters. Alzbeta Trousilova/Darina Johanidesova FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN BRIEF * The Russian Foreign Ministry May 4 accused Czech President Vaclav Havel of questioning the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. According to Czech daily Lidove noviny, Havel tried to vindicate the activities of Chechen separatists and terrorists, at the meeting of Central European presidents in Hungary (see Carolina 274). He also said Chechnyans have the right to decide for themselves if they want to be part of the Russian Federation. The Russian ministry in its statement said it was not the first time Havel had expressed sympathy for Chechnya. On May 5 Havel denied he had questioned territorial integrity, but he also said he supports the suspension of Russia's membership in the Council of Europe because of the conflict in Chechnya. Alzbeta Trousilova/Darina Johanidesova FROM SLOVAKIA Slovak President Visiting Greece Slovak President Rudolf Schuster visited Greece May 8-9, the first time the head of Slovakia had ever made a state visit there. Schuster was accompanied by the Privatization Minister Marie Machova, Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, the state secretary of the Economy Ministry and a group of businessmen. The visit centered on the development of trade and investment contacts, which are nearly nil even though relations between the countries are without problems. The Greek side declared its support for Slovakia's efforts to join the European Union and NATO. Greece is a member of the EU, NATO and the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). Schuster said the experiences of Greece can help Slovakia avoid mistakes in the integration process. Tereza Tesarikova/Veronika Hankusova ECONOMY EU Will Not Tolerate Czech-Slovak Customs Union Slovak Economy Minister Lubomir Harach and Czech Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr said after the meeting of the Customs Union Council May 9 that the institution is very beneficial for both states. Gregr said the union will not survive if the countries do not enter the European Union (EU) together. On the other hand, the EU would, according to Gregr, allow some trade advantages in agriculture. The ministers also discussed some problems in bilateral trade relations. For example, Slovakia still has not cancelled its import duty on Czech beer and the Czech Republic has restricted the import of isoglucosis from Slovakia. Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Slovak Premier Mikulas Dzurinda should at the end of May sign treaties on investment protection and joint visa policy . Jan Skala/Jakub Jirovec Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid May 12) -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 37.040 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 23.574 Great Britain 1 GBP 61.386 Denmark 1 DKK 4.969 Japan 100 JPY 37.176 Canada 1 CAD 27.294 IMF 1 XDR 53.596 Hungary 100 HUF 14.333 Norway 1 NOK 4.504 New Zealand 1 NZD 19.372 Poland 1 PLN 9.085 Greece 100 GRD 11.019 Slovakia 100 SKK 86.099 Slovenia 100 SIT 18.088 Sweden 1 SEK 4.490 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.815 USA 1 USD 40.836 Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 18.938 Belgium 100 BEF 91.820 Finland 1 FIM 6.230 France 1 FRF 5.647 Ireland 1 IEP 47.031 Italy 1000 ITL 19.130 Luxemburg 100 LUF 91.820 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.808 Portugal 100 PTE 18.475 Austria 1 ATS 2.692 Spain 100 ESP 22.261 KULTURA Lou Reed in Prague Again Rock star and co-founder of the legendary Velvet Underground Lou Reed and his band played Prague 5 in Prague's Lucerna. Reed was accompanied by the same band as in his 1996 Prague performance: guitarist Michael Rathke, drummer Anthony Smith and bassist Fernando Saunders. The majority of the songs came from Reed's new album Ecstasy, although the 58-year-old Reed also dusted off some of his older material. The concert was attended by President Vaclav Havel and the first lady, who went out with Reed and the band after the concert. The following day Reed visited Havel at Havel's villa in Prague's 6th District. Reed and Havel first met in 1990 when Reed interviewed Havel for Rolling Stone magazine. The two have been friends since, demonstrated when at Havel's request Reed performed at a White House dinner for Havel in 1998. Jakub Tronicek/Zuzana Janeckova Society before the Lens 1918-1989 Society before the Lens is the name of a photo exhibit opened May 10 in the halls of the Municipal House (Obecni dum) in Prague. It should be a significant culture event among several similar photo exhibits this year. The core of the exhibit stems from photo collections of the Moravian Gallery in Brno. Organizers emphasize not only the artistic value of pictures but also their documentary qualities that reflect the development of society and milestones in the Czech history over a span of 80 years. The exhibit puts together the most outstanding names of the Czech photo scene, such as Jaromir Funke, Karel Hajek, Jan Halasa, Dagmar Hochova, Bohdan Holomicek, Vaclav Jiru, Karol Kallay, Viktor Kolar, Taras Kuscynskyj, Jan Lukas, Zdenek Lhotak, Marketa Luskacova, Jan Saudek, Josef Sudek, Pavel Stecha, Jindrich Streit and Vilem Reichmann. The exhibit will last until September 10. Michal Pospisil/Milan Smid A Little Kingdom in the Center of Prague A small-scale Czech Republic with miniature models of memorable buildings and national monuments has been created in a park in Prague's Albertov neighborhood. The model, opened as a part of the Prague, European City of Culture 2000 project, is called A Little Kingdom. The terrain of the park was arranged according the shape of the Czech Republic, while building models are made of artificial stone and natural materials in small scale from 1:25 to 1:50. Among the miniature objects are the Cervena lhota chateau, the Karlstejn Castle, the Hrusice Church and the summer seat of the Czech president, the Lany chateau. The set of miniature monuments will be enlarged gradually. Lenka Ludvikova/Milan Smid SPORTS Sparta Scores Five Goals against Slavia And Wins Soccer League Title Slavia was playing against 11 Sparta opponents during the first 20 minutes, but after Sparta overcame Slavia's 1-0 lead and added four more goals, it fought with its own psyche. That was the first time since the foundation of the independent Czech soccer league that one team allowed five goals in the most famous intracity derby. In the 19th minute Richard Dostalek scored on a header and Slavia fans could celebrate. Right after the goal, Sparta started a combination and Vratislav Lokvenc tied the score. Slavia had another chance after Pavel Horvath's center, Dostalek could have scored and also Ludek Zelenka was standing at the post. However, in the 34th minute Petr Vlcek let Lokvenc to Horst Siegl's pass and score; and in the same minute, Petr Gabriel headed Zdenek Svoboda's corner kick into the net. Slavia gave up, while its fans demonstrated their toughness by unfolding a flag with the slogan We Will Keep the Faith. Sparta tested their faith with two more goals after the break and celebrated in the end: they ran around the stadium, they threw their coach in the air... Sparta Praha - Slavia Praha 5-1 (3-1). Goals: Lokvenc 20 and 33, Gabriel 34, Baranek 53, Novotny 68 - Dostalek 19. Played May 7. Other results of the 28th round: Ceske Budejovice - Blsany 2-2, Opava - Zizkov 0-1, Jablonec - Drnovice 1-0, Bohemians Praha - Hradec Kralove 1-0, Pribram - Ostrava 2-0, Teplice - Olomouc 2-1, Brno - Liberec 3-0. Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 72, 2. Slavia Praha 65, 3. Drnovice 47, 4. Brno 39, 5. Teplice 39, 6. Bohemians Praha 39, 7. Liberec 35, 8. Zizkov 35, 9. Pribram 34, 10. Blsany 33, 11. Ceske Budejovice 32, 12. Olomouc 30, 13. Ostrava 29, 14. Opava 28, 15. Jablonec 28, 16. Hradec Kralove 23. Darina Johanidesova/Mirek Langer Czech Hockey Team Advances to World Championships Semifinal After wins over Italy (9-2) and Slovakia (6-2) and a 4-6 loss to Finland, the Czech national team advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Championships in St. Petersburg. Thanks to their first place in Group F they met Latvia, the fourth-place team from Group E. The Czech team lost for the first time in the tournament May 7. It led Finland 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3, but Finnish players scored three goals in the third period, two of them within 19 seconds. In the game against Slovakia May 8, Pavel Patera and Martin Prochazka scored their first goals in the tournament. Patera raised the score to 2-0 after the puck deflected off the referee's skate to him. Slovakia lowered the score to 2-3, but then Patera kicked the puck to Prochazka who scored. The final score: 6-2 for the Czechs. Results: Czech Republic - Italy 9-2 (2-0, 5-0, 2-2). Goals by Kucera (2), Prospal, Buzek, Benysek, Vlasak, Havlat, Cajanek, Spanhel. Czech Republic - Finland 4-6 (2-1, 1-2, 1-3). Goals by Kaberle, Prospal, Sykora, Dopita. Czech Republic - Slovakia 6-2 (1-0, 3-2, 2-0). Goals by Vyborny, Patera, Bros, Prochazka, Vlasak, Stepanek. After deadline: Czech Republic - Latvia 3-1 (0-0, 3-1, 0-0). Goals by Varada, Sykora, Dopita. The Czechs advanced to the semifinal, they will meet Canada May 12. David Mirejovsky/Mirek Langer SPORTS IN BRIEF * The opening Grand Prix of the speedway world championships took place in Prague's Na Markete stadium. The United States' Billy Hamill won the final, Antonin Kasper was the top Czech finisher in 11th place, where he tied Greg Hancock of the USA. * Martin Doktor won all three races of the second flatwater canoeing World Cup event in Mechelen, Belgium. * Slavia Praha's handball players won the women's league after they defeated Cheb 24-19 in the third game of the best-of-five final series. Pavel Novotny, Jaroslav Sauer/Mirek Langer WEATHER The summer weather euphoria of some Czechs is tempered by the anxiety of farmers afraid this year's crop is in danger because of extreme drought. Forest fires sprang up last weekend in several places in the Czech Republic and moved at a speed exceeding the statistical average. Temperatures of about 27-28 degrees Celsius/81-82 degrees Fahrenheit broke long-time records. Those old enough to remember are comparing the summer to the year 1947 and its catastrophic drought. Lenka Ludvikova/Zuzana Janeckova 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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