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 389, Friday, October 6, 2000. FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 20 - OCTOBER 4) Violence in Prague Streets at IMF-WB Summit Discredits Globalization Critics The 55th annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Prague in the last week of September was overshadowed by a day of violence and destruction wrought by globalization opponents September 26. Prague's Congress Center (the former Palace of Culture) hosted some 182 ministers and bank governors and 18,000 other official hosts of the summit. The summit featured discussion on the reform of both institutions and the fight against poverty, the most notable concrete result of the summit was expanding from 10 to 20 the number of poor countries that shall have part of their debt forgiven. Ministers of the G7 nations also met to discuss the rice of oil and the falling euro. President V clav Havel arranged the first official exchange of opinions between the Bretton-Woods institutions and globalization critics, at Prague Castle September 23. Observers found the meeting more a platform for unwavering worldviews than a forum for exchange. The next day saw a series of demonstrations organized by globalization opponents and various communist an leftist groups, with some of their ranks stomping a handful of skinheads at Prague's Central Train Station in front of television cameras and without police intervention. Two Poles and one American September 25 used mountaineering gear on the 40-meter Nusle Bridge to allow themselves to tack up protest banners. The protests turned into extensive street battles between police and protesters September 26, the official opening day of the summit. Protesters had stated their goal was to blockade the Congress Center and disrupt or force the abandonment of the summit. An estimated 12,000 gathered in Peace Square, from where they separated into a three-pronged attack on the Congress Center. The main route to the center, over the Nusle Bridge, saw the organized Italian anarchist group Ya Basta taunt police for hours without any greater incident. In the valley below the center, however, demonstrators were hurling Molotov cocktails and dismantling cobblestone sidewalks to use the stones to throw at police. Cars were set on fire, while barricades were built and then torched by the protesters. The summit was unaffected, as many delegates spent breaks from the proceedings watching the battles from the safety of the Congress Center. Some delegates left using ground transportation, while many used the subway station nearly directly beneath the center. Prague's three subway lines had to be closed to the public in the late afternoon. The battle moved in the evening to Wenceslas Square, where more damage was done since the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion of 1968. Demonstrators demolished fast-food restaurants and banks. Media praised the job done by police officers but not their leadership, which failed to prevent large-scale property damage in the city center. The following days saw virtually no new demonstrations, and the summit continued according to plan. Hundreds of protesters were arrested, some 50 police officers were taken to hospital and damage estimates were in the millions of crowns. Public opinion polls showed support for globalization opponents down from 29 per cent to 17 per cent after the September 26 destruction. Former dissident and current government envoy for human rights Petr Uhl said the destruction had swayed public opinion back to the side of law and order and had dealt a setback to dialogue. The public appears to accept proposals that police intervene with greater force in the future, for example by using rubber bullets or by forbidding demonstrators from masking their faces (both changes would require legislative approval). After the summit concluded, protests broke out against Czech diplomatic missions in London, Rome, Berlin, Warsaw and Bratislava, mostly for the release of demonstrators arrested in Prague. Justice Minister Motejl Resigns Justice Minister Otakar Motejl, the only non-partisan in the minority Social Democrat Cabinet of Prime Minister Milo Zeman, resigned September 29. As his only reason Motejl cited the failure to pass judicial reform in the legislature. Parliament has rejected a number of his proposals in recent months, including a revamped Criminal Code and the reform of the system of state prosecutors and investigators. On the day of Motejl's resignation the Social Democrat leadership nominated for the upcoming post of ombudsman. Motejl, 68, a respected lawyer, appears to have a good chance at being chosen. Some deputies of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) have expressed reservations, citing Motejl's recall last week of High State Prosecutor Karel Brckler, who, the deputies allege, was problematic for the Social Democrats. After Deputy Justice Minister Josef Baxa (non-partisan) and Chairwoman of Parliament's Constitutional Law Committee Jitka Kupcov (Social Democrat) refused to succeed Motejl, Deputy Prime Minister for Legislation Pavel Rychetsk will likely head the ministry for the interim. Conflict over New Criminal Code Parliament September 20 approved changes to the Criminal Code that will more seriously punish hate crime. The changes, penned by Civic Democratic Party (ODS) deputy Ji Payne, were passed thanks to the legislative majority of parties to the right of the spectrum and were also supported by two Social Democrat deputies and one independent. Up to five years of imprisonment can be meted out to anyone who supports or propagates "a movement that demonstrably leans toward the repression of the rights and freedoms of man or voices national, racial, religious or class hatred or hatred toward another group of persons." The existing code punished national and racial hatred. Up to three years of imprisonment can be handed out to anyone who denies, doubts, praises or justifies the crimes of the Nazis or the communists against humanity. The minority Social Democrat government did not support the changes, because the phrase "another group of persons" does not conform to the principle of definition of the Criminal Code. The Communists (KSM) have said that if the changes are signed into law they will appeal to the Constitutional Court. They call the changes a political trick. NEWS IN BRIEF * President V clav Havel October 3 granted amnesty in the criminal proceedings against journalists Ji Kubk a Sabina Slonkov of the daily MF DNES. The two were accused in connection with not revealing their source in the Lead affair - the planned campaign to discredit Social Democrat Vice Chairwoman Petra Buzkov that the two publicized in May. The journalists thanked the president for the amnesty, but insisted investigation of the case continue. The two were accused last week along with Vratislav ma, one of Prime Minister Milo Zeman's advisers, who was supposed to have authored the plan. ma has been accuse of slander. * A parliamentary investigative commission did not find any wrongdoing by the state or the Czech National Bank in their declaring forced administration on and selling the Investment and Postal Bank (Investin a potovn banka, IPB). The commission did file criminal complaints against Finance Minister Pavel Mertlk and former IPB forced administrator Petr Stank for lying to the commission. Mertlk rejects the accusations. * Pressure tests at the Temeln nuclear power plant concluded October 2. The test was part of the new round ordered by the State Office for Nuclear Safety after flaws were found in plant ventilators. The office's order could delay the start of the controversial Temeln, originally planned for mid-October. The Czech side expects the schedule to be followed, more protests by Austrians on the Czech-Austrian border are expected this weekend. * The Screening Act, designed to prevent the return of former communist officials into public office, was prolonged September 21 by Parliament. The Senate will very probably pass the extension. FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF * The Bratislava Military Court October 3 stopped criminal proceedings for misuse of public office against the last boss of the Czechoslovak State Security (StB) secret police, Alojz Lorenc. The court ruled it was not possible to try Lorenc, who preventatively imprisoned dissidents under the previous regime, because in 1992 Lorenc was convicted of the same crime by the Military High Court in T bor. As a Slovak citizen, Lorenc refused to re-enter the Czech Republic after Czechoslovakia split in 1993. The Bratislava court's decision has not yet come into force. * President Rudolf Schuster underwent an operation to remove his colostomy October 3 at the university clinic in Innsbruck, Austria. Schuster should return to office November 1. * Justice Minister and Chairman of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) J n arnogursk announced he will leave politics. At the October party congress he will not run for re-election as chairman and will not be on the party's ballot in the next general elections. He will remain a party member. arnogursk, a well known dissident before 1989, was a member of the first government after the fall of communism and became premier of Slovakia in 1991. The KDH now receives about 5 per cent in voter-preference polls. ECONOMY IN BRIEF * The International Monetary Fund expects growth of 2.3 per cent this year for the Czech economy, with 2001 growth predicted at 3.2 per cent. Roger Grawe, director of the World Bank for Europe, said September 21 the Czech economy could begin approaching its potential for 5-per- cent annual growth with cautious currency and fiscal policies and increased performance from banks and companies. Domestic institutions are somewhat more optimistic for this year - the Czech National Bank forecasts growth of 1.7 per cent to 2.7 per cent, while the Czech Statistics Office and the Finance Ministry predict 2.5 per cent. * The new Banking Act, passed by Parliament September 21, allows depositors to recoup a maximum of 875,000 crowns in the event of a bank collapse (the earlier act allowed a maximum of 400,000 crowns. The provision providing for a maximum of 90 per cent of deposits to be recouped remains in force. If the act is passed by the Senate and signed by the president, it will take effect January 1. * The Office for the Protection of Economic Competition fined Czech Telecom 2 million crowns for abuse of its monopoly position. Telecom refused to close an agreement with the Dattel company on a division of income from internet calling between the two firms' networks. Telecom can still appeal the decision. Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid October 6) -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 35.695 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 21.982 Great Britain 1 GBP 59.484 Denmark 1 DKK 4.789 Japan 100 JPY 37.416 Canada 1 CAD 27.286 IMF 1 XDR 52.838 Hungary 100 HUF 13.570 Norway 1 NOK 4.440 New Zealand 1 NZD 16.488 Poland 1 PLN 8.994 Greece 100 GRD 10.522 Slovakia 100 SKK 81.379 Slovenia 100 SIT 17.029 Sweden 1 SEK 4.175 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.512 USA 1 USD 40.878 Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 18.251 Belgium 100 BEF 88.486 Finland 1 FIM 6.003 France 1 FRF 5.442 Ireland 1 IEP 45.323 Italy 1000 ITL 18.435 Luxemburg 100 LUF 88.486 Netherlands 1 NLG 16.198 Portugal 100 PTE 17.805 Austria 1 ATS 2.594 Spain 100 ESP 21.453 CULTURE Karel Gott Sings in Carnegie Hall Karel Gott's September 30 concert in Carnegie Hall with special guest Helena Vondr kov ended with standing ovations and numerous encores. The two singers were the first from Central and Eastern Europe allowed to perform at the venue. Umberto Eco to Receive Award in Prague Italian writer Umberto Eco arrived in Prague October 3 for his third visit of Prague. Eco came to receive an award given by the Vision 97 foundation of President V clav Havel and his wife for Eco's contribution to world culture. SPORTS Czechs in Sydney: Two Golds, Three Silvers and Three Bronzes The Czech Republic finished 28th on the medals table in the Sydney Olympic Games, 11 places lower than in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. The eight total medals represented a decline of three from the 11 medals won in Atlanta. The Czech highlight of the games was the performance of javelin thrower Jan elezn, who set an Olympic record of 90.17 meters and became the first man to win the gold three times in the event. The others to win medals since our last issue were skeet-shooter Petr M lek (silver), decathlete Roman ebrle (silver) and 81-kg boxer Rudolf Kraj (silver). Soccer Results Champions League: Sparta Praha - achor Donck 3:2 (September 28) UEFA Cup: Slavia Praha - AB Copenhagen 3:0, 2:0; Slavia advances; Slovan Liberec - IFK Norrkping 2:2, 2:1; Liberec advances; Drnovice - Munchen 1860 0:0 0:1; Drnovice eliminated. Hockey Extraleague Results Results of the 6th round: Tinec-Sparta 5:3, Zln-Litvnov 4:0, Vtkovice-Kladno 1:1, Slavia-Pardubice 3:1, Znojmo-Karlovy Vary 1:3, esk Budjovice-Havov 5:6 (OT) Plze-Vsetn 4:1 Results of the 7th round: Vsetn-Havov 2:5, Pardubice-Tinec 6:0, Litvnov-Slavia 3:0, Vtkovice-Zln 5:3, Karlovy Vary -esk Budjovice 4:2, Sparta-Znojmo 2:3, Kladno-Plze 1:3 Results of the 8th round: esk Budjovice-Vsetn 2:4, Slavia-Vtkovice 2:3, Plze-Pardubice 2:2, Zln-Kladno 3:1, Znojmo-Litvnov 4:4, Havov-Sparta 2:5, Tinec-Karlovy Vary 4:1 Results of the 9th round: Karlovy Vary-Havov 4:5 (in overtime), Pardubice-esk Budjovice 3:2 (in overtime), Zln-Slavia 5:3, Plze-Vtkovice 3:2, Sparta-Vsetn 6:4, Litvnov-Tinec 4:2, Kladno-Znojmo 1:2 Results of the 10th round: Tinec-Kladno 7:3, Sparta-Karlovy Vary 3:0, Plze-Slavia 2:1, Vsetn-Pardubice 1:1, Znojmo-Zln 2:0, Havov-Litvnov 0:3, esk Budjovice - Vtkovice 1:2 (OT) Standings after the 10th round: 1. Sparta 22 points, 2. Plze 22, 3.Vtkovice 18, 4.Litvnov 17, 5. Vsetn 17, 6. Pardubice 16, 7.Zln 14, 8.Havov 12, 9.Tinec 12, 10. esk Budjovice 12, 11.Slavia 11, 12.K. Vary 11, 13.Znojmo 10, 14.Kladno 7 Premiere Soccer League Results Results of the 8th round: FK Drnovice-FK Teplice 3:1, Bohemians Praha-Slovan Liberec 0:0, Chmel Blany-Viktoria ikov 0:1, Viktoria Plze-Bank Ostrava 1:1 Results of the 9th round: Sigma Olomouc-FK Drnovice 2:0, Sparta Praha-Viktoria Plze 5:1, Marila Pbram-Slavia Praha 2:1, Stavo Artikel Brno-esk Budjovice 3:0, Viktoria ikov-FK Jablonec 2:2, Slovan Liberec-Chmel Blany 2:0, FK Teplice-1.FC Synot Star Msto 2:1, Bank Ostrava-Bohemians Praha 1:1. WEATHER It appears Indian summer ended with the Olympics. This week's days began with foggy mornings, remained gray all day and occasionally drizzled. The forecast is for an October with above-average temperatures, and a return of the Indian summer could occur in the second half of the month. Dear readers, Carolina will return to its weekly format October 19, with the school year somewhat delayed by the reconstruction of the building housing the School of Journalism. English version translated and 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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