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 387, Friday, September 8, 2000. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (August 23 - September 6) Zeman Blames Journalists as Part of Conspiracy Prime Minister Milos Zeman August 25 announced the Office of the Government had filed a criminal complaint two months ago in connection with the Lead Affair (see Carolina 386), about a document planning a smear campaign against fellow Social Democrat Petra Buzkova. At the press conference Zeman hinted at a broader conspiracy against the Social Democrats before the autumn elections, with the largest Czech daily MF DNES taking part in the plotting. The government's criminal complaint asked the police to investigate whether MF DNES reporters Jiri Kubik and Sabina Slonkova participated in preparing the document and getting it into the Office of the Government. Zeman's statement caused an uproar in the media, with calls to protect press freedoms. The leftist daily Pravo, the government's lead apologist, joined in the criticism of the complaint. Information about the plan to discredit Buzkova, who is also vice chairwoman of Parliament, was published in MF DNES May 16, and it is still not clear who wrote the document. The daily claims the plan came from Zeman's advisers (adviser Zdenek Sarapatka stated in his police deposition that the author was adviser Vratislav Sima), while the government's complaint says the document was smuggled onto a government computer. Austrian Opponents of Temelin Block Czech-Austrian Border Crossings About 2,000 Austrians from the northern region of the country gathered September 2 at the three Czech-Austrian Crossings - Dolni Dvoriste, Studanky and Predni Vyton - and blocked (symbolically at one minute before noon) the roads with tractors and farm machinery, to protest the imminent start of operations at the Temelin nuclear power plant in Southern Bohemia (see Carolina 383). They asked for a stop to the start-up process until the Czech state can submit a credible guarantee of the safety of the plant. Temelin became a diplomatic issue when Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrer-Waldner warned the Czech Republic that the if the appropriate tests and checks are not completed and if the loading of fuel continues without taking into account the Austrian standpoint, Vienna will not allow the EU to close membership talks with the Czech Republic regarding energy. Police Train to Fight Protesters at IMF and World Bank Summit Police officers, in preparing for the IMF-World Bank annual meeting in Prague the last week of September, staged a training session for politicians and the press August 31 about 20 kilometers outside Prague. The police trained beating back a crowd of violent demonstrators, who were played by police academy students - for their part, they threw stones and apples at the police and screamed "Gestapo" at them. Havel Attends UN Millenium Summit President Vaclav Havel departed September 4 for New York, where he went to attend the biggest meeting of statesmen in history - the UN Millenium Summit. Havel wants to focus his five-minute address on reform of the United Nations, said a source from the presidential office. Havel will ask the UN be better prepared and equipped to solve problems and conflicts in the world. German Chancellor Accepts: Benes Decrees Are Expired German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the German government will not raise any property claims against the Czech Republic in the future. Schroeder addressed a meeting of the Union of Expatriated Germans September 3 and confirmed the statement made in March during Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman's visit to Germany (see Carolina 323). The statement said Prague considers the validity and effect of the Benes Decrees expired, and Berlin will not make any property claims against the Czech state. Some members of the Union of Expatriated Germans did not agree with the position. Vinohrady Brewery Burns down The Vinohrady Brewery in Crown Street (Vinohradsky pivovar v Korunni ulici) burned down on the evening of August 28. The blaze sent 15-meter flames into the sky and was visible from throughout the city. Firefighters were still extinguishing the flames on the morning of September 2. Firefighters remained on site to protect against any recurrence of the fire. All that was left of the brewery were its exterior walls, which will be taken down in the coming days. The fire was evidently caused by workers renovating the brewery building. No one was injured, firefighters estimate damages at 50 million crowns, while the building's owners claim damages twice that amount. Firefighters called it the biggest fire in Prague in decades. The story also had a rather pointed postscript for brewery neighbors: when city demolition experts attempted to bring down the remaining walls, they inadvertently destroyed the apartments next to the brewery. FROM SLOVAKIA President Schuster Calls Referendum on Early Elections President Rudolf Schuster September 5 called a referendum for November 11 on whether to hold early elections. The referendum was called on the basis of petition organized by the opposition Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and the Slovak National Party (SNS) signed by more than 600,000 citizens. Premier Mikulas Dzurinda has said he is not worried about the referendum, because the required 50 per cent of the electorate will not come to the polls. Opinion polls support his belief. International Arrest Warrant Issued for Ivan Lexa A Bratislava judge September 4 issued an international arrest warrant for National Assembly member and former Slovak Information Service Director Ivan Lexa. At an August 24 extraordinary assembly session, 86 of 120 legislators voted in favor of taking Lexa into custody. Lexa has been accused of 11 crimes, including repeatedly misusing his authority as a public official, sabotage and economic crimes of 54 million Slovak Crowns. Lexa left Slovakia on his diplomatic passport, despite having promised to use the passport only for trips in connection with his legislative duties. Justice officials say Lexa was reported to be in South Africa in July. Visas for Belgium Again The Kingdom of Belgium reintroduced visas requirements for Slovak citizens September 5, as a result of the 446 applications for exile submitted in August by Slovak Roma. Belgium had introduced a visa requirement April 13, but repealed it August 1. Slovak citizens need visas for Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Ukraine. Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and Luxembourg had visas requirements but have repealed them. ECONOMY KPN Gives up on Czech Telecom Czech Telecom's strategic partner, the Dutch firm KPN, announced August 30 it does not have any interest in purchasing any more shares of Czech Telecom from the state to gain a majority in the company. KPN owns 33.5 per cent of Czech Telecom and had originally expressed an interest in acquiring another 17 per cent from the state. KPN said its activities in the Czech Republic no longer correspond with KPN's newly narrowed strategy. Some said KPN's decision was influenced by its failure to gain an UMTS third-generation telephone license in Germany, while others say the decision merely reflects the trend in telecommunication to focus on wireless mobile communication instead of traditional services. ECONOMY IN BRIEF * The government discussed its second 2001 budget proposal September 6. The budget calls for income of 627.5 billion crowns and expenses of 650 billion crowns, although the Opposition Contract between the minority Social Democrat government and the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) does not allow for a budget deficit exceeding 20 billion crowns. The government is to discuss the budget again September 18, after the Czech Statistics Office releases new economic data. The government has repeatedly stated its priority for the budget will be education. * The average Czech gross monthly wage rose to 12,811 crowns at the end of the first half of the year. The amount represents a 6.3 per cent increase over 12 months ago, while prices rose during the same period by 3.7 per cent. * Two well-known Czech companies dealt with bankruptcy problems recently. The Kralovopolska Brno engineering firm was taken out of bankruptcy by the High Court in Olomouc. Airplane-maker Let Kunovice was placed in bankruptcy after a petition was filed by the state-owned Consolidation Bank and joined by the company's union and some of its trade partners. * Former Skoda Pilsen General Director and Chairman of the Board Lubomir Soudek was charged with insider trading by the Pilsen (Plzen) State Prosecutor August 25. Soudek allegedly abused his position in Skoda to the advantage of his private firm NERo, and if convicted would face up to 12 years in prison. Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid September 11) ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 EUR = 35.320 CZK country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 22.688 Great Britain 1 GBP 57.818 Denmark 1 DKK 4.743 Japan 100 JPY 38.386 Canada 1 CAD 27.444 IMF 1 XDR 52.521 Hungary 100 HUF 13.504 Norway 1 NOK 4.401 New Zealand 1 NZD 17.068 Poland 1 PLN 9.162 Greece 100 GRD 10.452 Slovakia 100 SKK 82.910 Slovenia 100 SIT 16.892 Sweden 1 SEK 4.239 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.820 USA 1 USD 40.519 Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 18.059 Belgium 100 BEF 87.556 Finland 1 FIM 5.940 France 1 FRF 5.384 Ireland 1 IEP 44.847 Italy 1000 ITL 18.241 Luxemburg 100 LUF 87.556 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.028 Portugal 100 PTE 17.618 Austria 1 ATS 2.567 Spain 100 ESP 21.228 CULTURE Street Theater in Prague As part of the project Prague European City of Culture 200, the Alfred in the Courtyard Theater (Divadlo Alfred ve dvore) organized a variety of street theater performances throughout the city over the weekend of September 2-3. There were dance performances by students of the dance conservatory, theater and theater parades. Friends of Country Music Visit Michal Tucny's Stodola About 7,500 people gathered August 26 in the small village of Hostice near Volyne (in Strakonice County) to commemorate popular country singer Michal Tucny, who died five years ago. Several bands performed at the informal festival of country and western music, with the top star of the event Tucny's American colleague and friend, singer Rattlesnake Annie, who recorded several songs with him in the past. The event, now called Michal Tucny's Stodola, took place for the third time. Actor Jiri Sovak Died Theater and film actor Jiri Sovak (born Jiri Schmitzer) died September 6 at the age of 79. After World War II Sovak joined the E.F. Burian Theater, from 1952-66 he worked at the Vinohrady Theater (Divadlo na Vinohradech). From 1966 until his retirement in 1984 he acted at the National Theater (Narodni divadlo). In March he received the Thalie theater award for lifetime excellence. Sovak was best known for his comic film roles, often paired with Vlastimil Brodsky. Sovak acted in the film When the Tomcat Comes (Az prijde kocour) and Oscar-winner Kolya. Playwright and Writer Oldrich Danek Died Playwright, screenwriter, writer and director Oldrich Danek died September 3 at the age of 73. He first worked in theaters in Hradec Kralove and Liberec, and then from 1956-1973 worked at the Barrandov film studios as a screenwriter and director. He directed five films, the most notable being A Royal Mistake (Kralovsky omyl). From 1973 he wrote and occasionally directed. He also frequently worked with the Vinohrady Theater (Divadlo na Vinohradech), where his plays were almost always directed by Jaroslav Dudek (see below). He also wrote screenplays for television. His works often dealt with Czech historical themes. Director Jaroslav Dudek Died Television and theater director Jaroslav Dudek died August 31 at the age of 68. In 1954 he joined the S.K. Neumann Theater, and from 1962 until his death he was at the Vinohrady Theater (Divadlo na Vinohradech). Dudek also directed in television from the 50's - he was involved in the first Czechoslovak television serial, the Blaha Family. SPORTS Soccer World Cup 2002 Qualification: Bulgaria - Czech Republic 0-1 The first qualification match for the 2002 World Cup took place September 2 in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. The only goal of the match, which brought the victory to the Czech team, was scored from a penalty kick in the 73rd minute by Karel Poborsky. The next qualification match will take place October 7 in Teplice, where the Czech team will meet Iceland. Czech Republic: Srnicek - Fukal, Rada, Repka, Tyce - Poborsky, Bejbl, Horvath (77. Rosicky), Nedved - Smicer (90 Vlcek), Koller (64. Lokvenc) Gambrinus Soccer League: First Trainer Fired after 5 Rounds After five rounds of the soccer league, Sparta is still at the top of the Gambrinus League chart without losing a point. Its rival Slavia was victorious in Ostrava, newcomer Stare Mesto continued its suprisingly good showing. The disappointing results of the Brno team were the reason that trainer Karel Jarusek was dismissed and replaced by Pavel Tobias, last season's trainer of Ceske Budejovice. Results of the 5th round: Ostrava - Slavia 1:3, Sparta - Budejovice 5:1, Pribram - Brno 3:0, Olomouc - Zizkov 4:1, Teplice - Jablonec 2:1, Bohemians - Stare Mesto 1:1, Plzen - Blsany 1:1, Liberec - Drnovice 2:0. Standings after the 5th round: 1. Sparta 15 points, 2. Liberec 12, 3. Stare Mesto 11, 4. Olomouc 11, 5. Slavia 11, 6. Teplice 8, 7. Ostrava 7, 8. Blsany 6, 9. Bohemians 6, 10. Plzen 5, 11. Pribram 4, 12. Budejovice 4, 13. Zizkov 3, 14. Drnovice 3, 15. Jablonec 2, 16. Brno 1. Olympic Soccer Team Named, Goalie Kouba Not Chosen The Czech soccer team for the Sydney Olympic Games was named after delays caused by the backroom negotiations, as neither premiere-league team wanted to release more than two players. The final decision came after talks between trainer Karel Bruckner and Sparta and Slavia management. Surprisingly, goalie Petr Kouba, the only older player expected to be named, was not nominated. The Czech Olympic Soccer team: Goalkeepers: Ales Chvalovsky (Stuttgart), Jaroslav Drobny (Budejovice). Defenders: Erich Brabec (Drnovice), Lukas Dosek, Adam Petrous (oba Slavia), Roman Lengyel (Sparta), Roman Tyce (Mnichov 1860), Radoslav Kovac (Olomouc). Halfbacks: Marek Jankulovski (Neapol), Tomas Ujfalusi (Olomouc), Jan Polak (Brno), Martin Vozabal (Budejovice), Libor Sionko (Sparta), Jan Simak (Hannover). Forwards: Milan Baros (Ostrava), Libor Dosek (Brno), Marek Heinz (Hamburk), Tomas Kucera (Pribram). Competitors in European Soccer Cups Picked Champions League: Sparta will meet Lazio (Italy), Arsenal (UK) and Doneck (Ukraine). UEFA Cup: Slavia vs. AB Copenhagen (Denmark), Liberec vs. IFK Norrkopping (Sweden) and Drnovice vs. Munchen 1860 (Germany). WEATHER As is customary in the Czech Republic, winter began September 1. The weather turned unrelentingly gray and damp with occasional rain, and temperatures took a nosedive (nighttime temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures never reaching 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit) as fall and even some winter jackets came out. We are impatiently awaiting the promised Indian summer. This issue of Carolina was written by Jakub Trnka, Martin Rusek, Andrea Slovakova (from Slovakia), Tereza Tesarikova (culture), Lenka Nejzchlebova (culture), Simon Dominik (culture), Martin Moravec (sport), Ondrej Trunecka (sport) and Lida Truneckova and was translated by Milan Smid and Michael Bluhm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This news may be published only with attribution to CAROLINA. Subscription is free. Comments and remarks are appreciated. 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