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 397, Friday, December 8, 2000 FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (November 29 - December 6) Nation Pays Tribute to Zatopek The last farewells to famous distance runner Emil Zatopek were said at the National Theater in Prague December 6. Zatopek, the four-time Olympic champion, who in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics won the 5,000m, the 10,000m and the marathon, died November 21. "Emil Zatopek was a sports legend and legends never die," said Juan Antonio Samaranch, chairman of the International Olympic Committee in his address at the wake in the National Theater, which was attended by many sports figures and politicians. Samaranch awarded Zatopek the Pierre de Coubertin Fair Play Medal posthumously. Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Chamber of Deputies Chairman Vaclav Klaus were among the honorary guests. President Vaclav Havel was absent because of illness and was represented by his wife Dagmar. The farewell wake was televised live on Czech Television. Hundreds of people watched the event in front of the National Theater on a big screen. The urn with Zatopek's ashes will be buried at the cemetery in Roznov pod Radhostem, in the region of Moravia where Zatopek was born. David Pilar/Milan Smid Disputes Continue over New CNB Governor President Vaclav Havel November 29 appointed Zdenek Tuma governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), despite strong political pressure from Prime Minister Milos Zeman and exiting CNB Governor Josef Tosovsky (see Carolina 396). The president also named Ludek Niedermayer (member of the CNB's Banking Council) CNB vice governor. Havel named Michaela Erbenova and Jan Freit to the Banking Council. Tosovsky and Finance Minister Pavel Mertlik did not attend the official ceremony. Mertlik had strongly criticized the appointment of Erbenova, who was an adviser to Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Chairman Vaclav Klaus when he was prime minister, and advised former Finance Minister Ivan Pilip. Mertlik said he is convinced council members should be politically independent. By naming Tuma governor, the president sparked the largest conflict to date between his office and the current government. During a clandestine Cabinet meeting November 28, the government decided the appointment of governor and vice governor should be signed not only by the president but also by the prime minister. In the past the president has named the officials without political approval, but this government is the first to point out the vagueness of the Constitution on this issue. The constitutional technicality is a symbol of political opposition to Tuma's appointment. Zeman has said he dislikes Tuma's stated readiness to raise interest rates if inflation pressure increases. Tuma was part of the influential domestic investment bank Patria Finance and was a co-founder of Lipa, a civic association critical of the government. Tuma is also criticized for having signed the Drevic Appeal, in which a group of economists and entrepreneurs gave their version of the economy's problems and their causes. The government, along with Tosovsky, would rather see CNB Vice Governor Oldrich Dedek as the new governor. The government decided during its meeting December 4 to make an appeal to the Constitutional Court on the signing issue of. Tosovsky December 1 took over as chairman of the Financial Stability Institute, part of the International Settlement Bank. Tereza Polachova/Sofia Karakeva Parliament Approves 2001 Budget The Chamber of Deputies approved the 2001 state budget December 5. This was the first time the government managed to pass a deficit budget on time. Income is estimated at 636 billion crowns and expenses at 685 billion, leaving a deficit of billion crowns. Discussion was delayed because of 400 amendments deputies presented to obtain more money for their regions. Most of the bills were rejected. Almost 43 per cent of expenses will go to the social sphere, chiefly for pension payouts and health insurance. The budget was supported mainly by the deputies of the ruling Social Democrats and their opposition partner the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). In return for its loyalty, ODS wants some concessions from the government. Above all, they want to release 20 billion crowns in privatization income to lower the state debt. The concept of the budget was criticized by the Four-Party Coalition with Chairman Karel Kuhnl disagreeing the most loudly. Vlastimil Tlusty of ODS said passing the budget is better than burdening the country with more interim measures. Pavla Reznickova/Stepan Vorlicek Novak's Acquittal Upheld The financial frauds of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) will not be punished as criminal. Former party Executive Vice Chairman Libor Novak, indicted for tax evasion, had his lower-court acquittal upheld November 28 by the High Court. The defense was successful with its claim that Novak only signed party tax returns, but was not responsible for their content. Judge Jiri Hnilica said, "Someone from ODS, and in a high position, committed the crime in question. It was not proven, however, that it was Libor Novak." There is thus no closure to the financial scandal that caused the break-up of the party and the fall of the party Chairman Vaclav Klaus' government in the fall of 1997. It's been five years since ODS knowingly falsified the names of its contributors, but no one has been found guilty by a court of wrongdoing. Jakub Vavruska/Stepan Vorlicek No Changes after CSSD's Weekend Meeting Vladimir Spidla, vice chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), will most probably become the party chairman at the congress in April, taking the post from Prime Minister Milos Zeman. The party's Central Executive Committee (UVV) met in Hradec Kralove over the weekend of December 2-3, and also discussed the results of the Senate and regional elections and whether Zeman should resign after the party's failure in the elections. Zeman long ago said he would not run for chairman next year. The post was to be decided between two candidates; Labor Minister Spidla and party Vice Chairman and Interior Minister Stanislav Gross. Gross decided not to run and informed the committee of his decision in a letter because he was in hospital with a broken ankle. Gross wrote that he did not want to divide the party by having to decide between the two politicians. Spidla said Gross should be appointed to one of the highest posts within the party. Both politicians have expressed the goal of changing the party's contemporary political style. The committee meeting also recommended party deputies and senators should resign from their places on boards of directors and supervisory boards in private companies. This would be, said Spidla, the "first evidence of a change in style." Zuzana Boleslavova/Sofia Karakeva NEWS IN BRIEF * An accident was simulated at the Temelin nuclear power plant (JETE) December 1. Personnel and safety system units were tested on a model breakdown, which included radiation emission. The operation included evacuation of an elementary school in Tyn nad Vltavou, which lies in the plant's security zone. Members of the crew said the drill showed the plant's external safety system works satisfactorily. Marie Valaskova/Stepan Vorlicek FROM SLOVAKIA Members of Democratic Party Leave SDK Club Six deputies from Democratic Party (DS), chaired by Jan Langos, decided December 4 to leave the largest club of legislators, the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDK). The reason for their departure is that Premier Mikulas Dzurinda did not allow the use of the platform of the recently created Slovak Democratic Christian Union (SDKU) within the SDK club. "DS therefore decided to assume party responsibility for all its members, whether in the government or parliament," said Langos. DS legislators will be officially registered in the National Assembly as independents. This act was carried out only few days after the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) left the SDK club (see Carolina 396). There are now 27 legislators in the SDK club, instead of the former 47. It is still the largest club in the 150-seat legislature. Veronika Pavlu/Veronika Hankusova FROM SLOVAKIA IN BRIEF * The treaty with Vatican was passed in the Slovak National Assembly December 4. The agreement was passed by 100 of 113 present legislators, no one was against its and the remaining 13 abstained. Legislators also passed a resolution asking the government to present a bill on the relationship between the state, the church and other religious entities before September 30, 2001. * President Rudolf Schuster is to move to a new residence in the luxurious neighborhood of Bratislava Pod Slavinem. Schuster now lives in a two-room apartment in the presidential palace, which was judged inappropriate for the president's health condition. This is the first official villa for the president since the foundation of an independent Slovakia in 1993, because former President Michal Kovac lived in his own house. Veronika Pavlu/Veronika Hankusova ECONOMY Clients of Credit Unions to Receive Compensation The Credit-Union Deposit Insurance Fund will receive 6 billion crowns from the state to cover the losses of credit-union clients. Parliament November 30 passed the government's bill for the issue of bonds to obtain the money for the fund. Defrauded credit-union clients demonstrated for five days in front of the Office of the Government. The Credit Union Act was very badly written and allowed virtually anybody to found a credit union and embezzle the money. It is planned that clients will receive 80 per cent of their deposits with a maximum of 100,000 crowns. About 70 per cent of the clients have deposits of less than this limit. The novel was opposed foremost by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), which wanted the Consolidation Bank to supply the money for the fund. Pavla Reznickova/Ondrej Maly Government to Raise Gas Prices by 25 Per Cent The Finance Ministry, authorized to adjust the price levels of gas and other commodities, announced December 5 after consultations with the government an average increase of 24 per cent in the price of gas. Prices for large and middle-size customers will rise by 16 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively. The government supported the lowest increase proposed by the Trade Ministry. The 24-per-cent average increase in prices is the average of all small customers' rates. The government said its decision is justified by the increase in the prices of oil products and the strong dollar (the state-owned exclusive gas importer, Transgas, pays for gas with dollars). Radim Hladik/Ondrej Maly ECONOMY IN BRIEF * The world's fourth-largest toymaker, Lego, opened a new production plant in Kladno. It will complete sets and gift models for Legoland. Lego chose the Czech Republic for its cheap labor. The company is reportedly considering placing research and design studios in Kladno in the future. Jana Niklova/Ondrej Maly Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid December 8) -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 35.020 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 21.458 Great Britain 1 GBP 56.414 Denmark 1 DKK 4.699 Japan 100 JPY 35.363 Canada 1 CAD 25.557 IMF 1 XDR 50.346 Hungary 100 HUF 13.209 Norway 1 NOK 4.314 New Zealand 1 NZD 16.782 Poland 1 PLN 8.909 Greece 100 GRD 10.283 Slovakia 100 SKK 80.404 Slovenia 100 SIT 16.473 Sweden 1 SEK 4.066 Switzerland 1 CHF 23.089 USA 1 USD 39.050 Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 17.905 Belgium 100 BEF 86.812 Finland 1 FIM 5.890 France 1 FRF 5.339 Ireland 1 IEP 44.466 Italy 1000 ITL 18.086 Luxemburg 100 LUF 86.812 Netherlands 1 NLG 15.891 Portugal 100 PTE 17.468 Austria 1 ATS 2.545 Spain 100 ESP 21.047 CULTURE Baroque Column in Olomouc Added to UNESCO List The Holy Trinity Column, standing on the Upper Square in the Moravian city of Olomouc, was added to the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List of the United Nations' Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) November 30 at the UNESCO plenary session in Cairns, Australia. The five-meter group of sculptures was created by Olomouc masons from 1716-1754. It is one of the last columns built in Europe to celebrate the Christian faith. The opulent monument, with statues of saints, is complemented by a chapel inside. The monument was consecrated in the presence of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. Martina Parizkova/Adam Fendrych Czechs to Return Art Confiscated by Nazis At least 1,000 works of art from Czech collections, confiscated by the Nazis, will return to the families of their original owners - mostly Holocaust victims. The return of works, including Alfons Mucha's and Gustav Klimt's paintings, is possible thanks to a new law passed this summer allowing people without Czech citizenship to request the return of art as well. Most of the stolen works are in the National Gallery in Prague. Another very valuable collection, formerly belonging to industrialist Oskar Federer, who fled in 1939, is in the Artcraft Gallery in Ostrava. It includes works by Edvard Munch, Oskar Kokoschka, Klimt and Antonin Slavicek. The Moravian Gallery in Brno owns a collection of paintings that used to belong to Arthur Feldman, a lawyer executed by the Nazis. Both Moravian Galleries are ready to meet restitutional demands, but they say it will cause them a great loss. These stolen works appear to be only a fraction of collections confiscated by the Nazis. Works that might have been stolen should be in an internet catalogue by the end of the year. Martina Oplatkova/Adam Fendrych SPORTS Sport Legends of the Century Meet in Municipal House The jury of 14 specialists (including journalists and athletes) had the difficult task of selecting the nine best Czech athletes of the century (each in a different sport) from 38 finalists. Emil Zatopek, the four-time Olympic champion who died November 21 (see above), was awarded a special prize as a personality whose importance exceeded Czech sport. Zatopek's wife Dana (who won an Olympic gold herself in the javelin in 1952) accepted his crystal trophy as Legend of Czech Sport. The prizes were awarded in Prague Municipal House (Obecni dum). The decisions in the other categories were not so clear. Jaromir Jagr was selected as the best hockey player, defeating Dominik Hasek, Jiri Holecek and Jiri Holik. Josef Bican and Josef Masopust were the top candidates for the soccer trophy, Masopust's Golden Ball for as 1962's Top European Player was probably the key factor leading to his win. Of the other winners, only Jagr missed the ceremony, because of his duties in the NHL. Ivan Lendl arrived in Prague from his American home just to receive his trophy, Jan Zelezny accepted his award from legendary Ukrainian pole-vaulter Sergei Bubka. The best Czech athletes of the century: Special Prize - Legend of Czech Sport - Emil Zatopek (four Olympic gold medals in track and field competitions in 1948 and 1952). Hockey - Jaromir Jagr (1998 Nagano Olympic champion, Hart Trophy winner). Soccer - Josef Masopust (1962 World Cup silver medal, 1962 Top European Player). Tennis - Ivan Lendl (winner of eight Grand Slam titles). Water sports - Stepanka Hilgertova (wild-water canoeing 1996 and 2000 Olympic champion). Gymnastics - Vera Caslavska (seven-time Olympic champion in 1964 and 1968). Cycling - Jan Vesely (1949 Tour of Peace winner). Track and field - Jan Zelezny (1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic champion in javelin). Skiing - Jiri Raska (1968 ski-jumping Olympic champion). Combat sports - Vitezslav Macha (1972 Olympic champion in wrestling). Marketa Bartosova, Mirek Langer/Mirek Langer Intracity Derby Sparta - Slavia: Sparta Wins 3-1 One postponed game of the 6th round of the soccer league was the biggest treat of the soccer weekend - it was the storied intracity derby between Prague's Sparta and Slavia. The game was decided by the red card shown to Karel Rada in the 43rd minute. Slavia's captain fouled Kincl after his own mistake and the game, tied and exciting till then, became one-sided. Slavia did not let Sparta onto its half of the field in the first 15 minutes and in the 23rd minute Pavel Kuka scored the opening goal (another Kuka kick hit the bar in the 35th minute). One minute later Martin Hasek tied the score after Obajdin's pass. Rada was then sent off. Sparta's one-man advantage was evident. Jarosik's and Kolousek's goals determined the final 3-1 score. Results of postponed games: Slavia Praha - Sparta Praha 1-3 (6th round), Blsany - Brno 0-1 (6th round), Olomouc - Ceske Budejovice 2-1 (7th round). Standings: 1. Sparta Praha 40, 2. Teplice 27, 3. Olomouc 26, 4. (equal) Stare Mesto and Pribram 25, 6. Zizkov 25, 7. Liberec 24, 8. Slavia Praha 20, 9. Bohemians Praha 19, 10. Jablonec 19, 11. Blsany 17, 12. Brno 17, 13. Drnovice 17, 14. Ceske Budejovice 15, 15. Ostrava 15, 16. Plzen 9. Renata Vlasakova/Mirek Langer Dramatic Clash of Two Top Extraleague Teams Ends in Tie The schedule of the hockey extraleague's 28th round was highlighted by the match between Litvinov and Pardubice, the two top teams in the standings. The lively crowd watched a hard-fought and dramatic game, in which Pardubice twice came back after the home team took a lead. Sparta made a sensational comeback in Plzen. It led from the first minute, but Plzen then scored four times in 15 minutes. Sparta recovered in the third period, Zemlicka tied the score in the last minute and Zabransky scored the game-winner in the fifth minute of overtime. First-place Pardubice has not won in four games, and despite the tie in Vitkovice they stay atop the standings. Sparta defeated Slavia in the Prague intracity derby, decided by power-plays - Slavia did not score in nine tries. Results of the 28th round: Litvinov - Pardubice 2-2, Zlin - Ceske Budejovice 2-5, Plzen - Havirov 6-3, Vitkovice - Sparta Praha 2-4, Znojmo - Trinec 4-2, Kladno - Vsetin 1-2 OT, Slavia Praha - Karlovy Vary 2-3 OT. Results of the 29th round: Pardubice - Zlin 2-3 OT, Ceske Budejovice - Trinec 3-2, Havirov - Slavia Praha 3-2, Plzen - Sparta Praha 4-5 OT, Vsetin - Znojmo 1-4, Karlovy Vary - Vitkovice 1-2, Litvinov - Kladno 2-3. Results of the 30th round: Vitkovice - Pardubice 3-3, Zlin - Vsetin 2-1, Sparta Praha - Slavia Praha 5-2, Trinec - Havirov 7-5, Plzen - Litvinov 1-3, Kladno - Karlovy Vary 5-3, Znojmo - Ceske Budejovice 2-3. Standings: 1. Pardubice 55, 2. Litvinov 52, 3. Vitkovice 49, 4. Zlin 49, 5. Vsetin 49, 6. Sparta Praha 47, 7. Znojmo 43, 8. Trinec 42, 9. Plzen 41, 10. Ceske Budejovice 40, 11. Kladno 37, 12. Slavia Praha 36, 13. Havirov 35, 14. Karlovy Vary 30. Jana Niklova/Mirek Langer SPORTS IN BRIEF * During the national swimming championships in Chomutov, 19 swimmers met the limits for the European 25m Swimming Championships, which will take place in Valencia. Ilona Hlavackova and Daniel Malek were the most succesful swimmers in Chomutov. * Zdenek Vitek won the first event of the biathlon World Cup in Anterselva in Italy. The men's relay team (Petr Garabik, Ivan Masarik, Tomas Holubec and Vitek) won the first relay of the season. The team was the fastest on the track and the second-best shooters. Katerina Kunovska, Marketa Bartosova/Mirek Langer WEATHER The refrain of the French song "Bleu, bleu, le ciel est bleu," should have a Prague version these days: "Gray, gray, the sky is gray." The sun has not appeared for weeks, temperatures fluctuate between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius/32 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is a Mother Nature, she has been very stingy in December. No sun, no snow, only fog and mud have arrived. Let us hope she will be more generous at Christmas. Zuzana Boleslavova 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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