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 426, Friday, July 13, 2001 FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (JUNE 27 - JULY 11) Few Romanies Admit Nationality in Census The results of the census taken in the Czech Republic in March showed only a fraction of Czech Romanies claimed their Roma nationality. About 12,000 citizens claimed Romany nationality in the census, while various government and non-government entities estimate some 250,000 Romanies live in the Czech Republic. Experts say the low census number might mean that many Romanies are not able to speak their own language, which makes them feel they do not belong to the Roma community. Also, sociologists say Romanies might be trying to join the majority community or fear admitting their nationality. The results of the census are also surprising because the Czech Statistics Office (CTU) offered Romanies assistants and explanations for filling in the questionnaires. In the 1991 census, almost three times more citizens claimed Romany nationality. The census also showed that in the Czech Republic during the past 10 years the number of atheists and agnostics rose by more than 1.2 million. About three million citizens claimed a religious faith. All regions registered a decrease in believers, with the smallest number in the Northern Bohemia region of Most. The faith with the largest Czech following - about 2.7 million - is the Roman-Catholic Church, while about 137,000 residents claimed allegiance to the Czech Evangelical Church and about 96,000 residents listed the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. According to earlier results of the census, announced at a press conference June 3, the Czech Republic as of March had 10,292,933 residents, 10,000 less than 10 years ago. Parliament Commission Says Sale of IPB in Conflict with Proper Morals Parliament's investigative commission for the sale of the Investment and Postal Bank (Investicni a postovni banka, IPB) to the Czechoslovak Trade Bank (Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka, CSOB) decided that the quick sale of the bank - approved by the government - was disadvantageous for the country. The sale will cost the state coffers about 98 billion crowns. The parliamentary commission approved its report June 28. The report criticized the government and its rapid sale of IPB, and tried to specify those responsible for the detrimental deal. Blame falls mostly on former Finance Minister Pavel Mertlik (Social Democrat, CSSD) and former Czech National Bank (CNB) Governor Josef Tosovsky. Social Democrats and the CNB claim the report did not take into consideration the necessity of preventing the collapse of the Czech economy. The speed of the sale of the third most powerful bank in the country was the most important element, and CSOB was the best-prepared candidate to buy IPB, they say. They also said the report did not consider the poor management of IPB throughout the 90's. The commission presented the report July 3 to the Chamber of Deputies, which approved it after two days of discussion. Voting for the report were deputies of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), the Communists (KSCM) and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL), while deputies of the Social Democrats and the Freedom Union (US) were against. Parliament also called upon the government to re-open negotiations with CSOB to change the contracts to better sale conditions for the state. If not, Parliament will ask a court to evaluate the contracts, because they conflict with good morals. The contracts were signed June 19, 2000, when IPB was not able to pay out clients their deposits and was placed under forced administration by the CNB for three days (see Carolina 381). FROM SLOVAKIA New Slovak Constitution Comes into Effect Significant changes to the Slovak Constitution came into effect July 1. For example, judges will no longer be named to four-year terms, but will be named indefinitely. The police will be able to hold suspects in custody for 48 hours instead of 24 hours, with especially serious crimes allowing for a 72-hour period. The president will no longer be able to issue a pardon during criminal prosecution. The Supreme Audit Office had its powers extended, it can audit all government institutions, the National Property Fund, companies with partial state ownership and regional authorities. The Constitutional Court also saw its authority broadened, the number of judges increased to 13 and their term of office lengthened to 12 years. Some laws and directives necessary to implement the new Constitution are still lacking, but should be approved in the fall. The government coalition prepared the changes for two-and-a-half years, they were discussed in the legislature for three weeks and passed by a vote of 90-57 legislators. Decentralization Reforms Approved The Slovak National Council July 4 approved the Regional Self-Administration Act, which will give rise to eight regions. The law, which will come into effect January 1, was one of the key program planks of the government coalition. Because the government proposal for 12 regions was rejected (see Carolina 413), two government officials resigned: government envoy for public administration reform Viktor Niznansky and Deputy Premier Ivan Miklos. Foreigners with permanent residence in Slovakia will be eligible to vote in regional elections. Romany Dies in Police Station Karol Sedrei, a Romany, died July 7 at a police station in Revuc. According to his son, Sedrei was beaten to death by police. Sedrei, a 51-year-old resident of Magnezitovce, had visited the Revuc mayor because Sedrei's son Robert had been attacked by the mayor's policeman son. The two families evidently fought and Sedrei and his two sons were taken to the station. Robert Sedrei claims the three were handcuffed to a radiator and beaten for 12 hours. The Revuc Police County Directorate found the police innocent, and claimed they cuffed the Sedreis to wait until morning for them to sober up. Interior Minister Ivan Simko took two of the police officers involved off duty and fired a third who was in his trial period. Before the funeral July 10 a demonstration of 200 Romanies took place in Jelsany. They demanded the recall of the county and regional police chiefs. Premier Miukulas Dzurinda promised a clear, responsible and transparent investigation. Romanies have formed their own commission, claiming the police investigation untrustworthy. ECONOMY Societe Generale Wins Commerce Bank Tender The government June 28 decided to sell the Commerce Bank (Komercni banka, KB) to the French bank Societe Generale. Societe Generale will pay about 40 billion crowns for the state's 60-per-cent share. Societe Generale offered the highest price of the three finalists, among which were also UniCredito and HypoVereinsbank. Proceeds from the sale are earmarked for the state budget and the housing and transportation funds. The crown responded to news of the sale by reaching its highest level ever aganist the euro. Government Approves Gregr's Big Bang for Economic Growth The government July 9 approved Trade Minister Miroslav Gregr's plan for economic revival. The so-called big bang should mean 166 billion crowns pumped into the economy over the next two years. The funds will go mainly toward industrial behemoths, small and medium-sized business, housing and infrastructure. The state will set aside budget monies for the project, along with funds from the National Property Fund and the housing and transportation funds. EU funds and private sources are also expected to contribute. Gregr said he hopes the program will be continued after the 2002 general elections. Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid July 13) -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 EUR = 33.885 country currency CZK ------------------------------------------ Australia 1 AUD 20.030 Great Britain 1 GBP 55.804 Denmark 1 DKK 4.553 Japan 100 JPY 31.909 Canada 1 CAD 25.981 IMF 1 XDR 49.657 Hungary 100 HUF 13.372 Norway 1 NOK 4.256 New Zealand 1 NZD 16.065 Poland 1 PLN 9.248 Slovakia 100 SKK 79.375 Slovenia 100 SIT 15.473 Sweden 1 SEK 3.648 Switzerland 1 CHF 22.342 USA 1 USD 39.676 Exchange Rates of countries participating in the euro (converted from the euro rate) country currency CZK ----------------------------------------- Germany 1 DEM 17.325 Belgium 100 BEF 83.999 Finland 1 FIM 5.699 France 1 FRF 5.166 Ireland 1 IEP 43.025 Italy 1000 ITL 17.500 Luxemburg 100 LUF 83.999 Netherlands 1 NLG 15.376 Portugal 100 PTE 16.902 Austria 1 ATS 2.463 Greece 100 GRD 9.944 Spain 100 ESP 20.365 CULTURE 36th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Running The 36th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, featuring 260 films in 13 cinemas, opened July 5 and will run until July 14. President Vaclav Havel dropped by the festival, toured an exhibit of photos from past festivals and took in two films - Intimacy and Bride of the Wind. The biggest celebrities at the festival this year include Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, Nastasia Kinski, Colin Firth and the No Smoking Orchestra, which is led by Emir Kusturica, the Yugoslav director of Underground who studied film in Prague. Seventeen films make up the competition section of the festival, awards will be presented July 14. Further information can be found on the festival's web site, www.iffkv.cz SPORTS Hasek to Detroit, Jagr to Washington The two best known members of the 1998 Nagano Olypmpics gold-medal winners, Dominik Hasek and Jaromir Jagr, changed teams. Hasek will play for the Detroit Red Wings next season and declared winning the Stanley Cup his goal. Jagr was traded to the Washington Capitals July 10 from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Czech goalie Roman Turek was traded from St. Louis to Calgary, while Dusan Salficky signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders. Under-20 Soccer World Championships: Czechs lose 1:0 to Paraguay In the quarterfinals of the under-20 soccer World Championships July 1, the Czechs lost to Paraguay 1:0. The game's only goal was scored in the 31st minute by Santiago Salcendo, despite the fact that from the 28th minute the Paraguayans were down a man after the ejection of Gonzales. Pavel Nedved to Juventus Turin from Lazio Rome Pavel Nedved, captain of the Czech national soccer team, signed a five-year contract July 5 with Juventus Turin, which will pay Lazio Rome 1.5 million crowns for Nedved. That is the most ever paid for a Czech soccer player, although Juventus and Nedved will have to adjust to the loss of the team's biggest star, Zinedine Zidane. SPORTS IN BRIEF * Leos Friedel of the Czech Republic and Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia won the mixed doubles category at this year's Wimbledon, defeating Liezel Huber and Mik Bryan in the finals. In the men's doubles finals, the Czech tandem of Jiri Novak and David Rikl lost to Johnson and Palmer in four sets. WEATHER While temperatures over the state holidays of July 5 and July 6 surpassesd the 30-degree-Celsius/86-degree-Fahrenheit barrier, clouds arrived for the weekend and rain fell on most of the country, and more rain is expected. This issue of Carolina was written by Andrea Slovakova, Alzbeta Trousilova, Petra Kovacova, Katerina Komadova, Petr Frinta and Ondra Trunecka, and was translated by Sofia Karakeva 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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