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Carolina (English) No 332
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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
tel: (+4202) 22112252, fax: (+4202) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 332, Friday, May 14, 1999.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (May 5 - May 12)
Small V-E Day Anniversary Celebrations
The Czech Republic commemorated the May 1945 Prague Uprising and
V-E Day with small official ceremonies.
Political leaders May 5 commemorated the Prague Uprising
resistance. Exactly 54 years after the famous plea "We are calling all
Czechs for help," Senate Chairwoman Libuse Benesova, Chamber of Deputies
Chairman Vaclav Klaus, Czech Freedom Fighters Union Chairman Jakub
Cernin and Prague Mayor Jan Kasl laid flowers in the front of the Czech
Radio building.
Three days later, on the day of the Nazis' surrender, President
Vaclav Havel laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at
Prague's Vitkov. Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla was also present.
V-E Day was almost completely ignored by the media. Sociologist
Jiri Kabele said people, after decades of hollow, communist state
celebrations, are probably more likely to celebrate holidays connected
with joy and presents than official holidays.
Tomas Polacek/Jakub Jirovec
After deadline: The Temelin nuclear power plant will be completed,
according to a Government decision reached on the evening of May 12-13
by a vote of 11 Cabinet members to eight (for further information see
Carolina 330).
Havel Talks with University Students about Kosovo
President Vaclav Havel May 11 talked with students at the College
of Humanities of Charles University in Prague about the Kosovo crisis.
After a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, Havel said he is sure the settlement of the Kosovo
crisis is a question of several days, not weeks. "The solution should be
international administration in Kosovo, supported not only by NATO
forces, but also by Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the
Partnership for Peace. Another round of negotiations about the Balkans
should take place and the return of refugees and humanitarian service is
expected."
Havel also answered a question on NATO jurisdiction: "Imagine that
you're walking down the street and see two gangsters beating a pregnant
girl. In this case you probably would intervene, and even without a UN
mandate."
Extended applause at the end of the talk was disrupted by one
student protesting against NATO actions in the Balkans.
Petr Wilfer/Jakub Jirovec
President Visits Kosovo Refugees near Brno
President Vaclav Havel and his wife Dagmar May 11 visited the
humanitarian center in Zbysov near Brno, where 115 refugees from Kosovo
are housed. "I very much appreciate the fact that Zbysov has arranged
such a center where refugees are kindly welcomed with understanding for
their life's tragedy," said Havel, according to the daily Slovo.
Havel said it is positive that more Czech regions and towns are
offering help. Havel said he believes that meeting refugees awakens
solidarity in people. Citizens are starting to realize that these people
were driven out of their homes and country and have lost relatives,
Havel said. Refugees assured the president that air raids against
Yugoslavia were the only way to resolve the Kosovo situation. They also
expressed their gratitude toward the Czech Republic for providing them
shelter and their wish to return home as soon as possible.
Linda Kholova/Sofia Karakeva
Mission of Solidarity in Yugoslavia
Eleven members of the ruling Social Democrats (CSSD) returned May
10 from a solidarity mission in Belgrade. The goal of the group, led by
Parliament deputy Karel Splichal and Vice Chairman of the party's
northern Bohemia organization Jaroslav Foldyna, was to deliver
a humanitarian gift of medicines, toiletries, bedding, children's food,
and to see firsthand the situation in the Balkans.
Not only did the party leadership vote down the first proposal for
a visit April 23, but technical problems and security restrictions
complicated the trip. NATO bombed one of the bridges on the suggested
route. On their second attempt, party members left the Czech Republic
May 7 in three personal cars and a truck, and Foldyna said they proposed
to the Yugoslav Red Cross a summer vacation stay in the Czech Republic
for 1,000 children of all nationalities.
Michaela Prokopova/Sofia Karakeva
Baltic Countries Should Join NATO Together, says Latvian President
Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis attended the Conference on NATO's
Future, organized in Prague by Radio Free Europe May 11. "The three
Baltic countries must be accepted to NATO together, otherwise their
effort to work together in the defense field would be disrupted,"
Ulmanis said.
Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said to the Czech Press Agency
that he and Ulmanis discussed their experiences in the transformation of
a totalitarian regime into a market economy and a political democracy.
"The Czech Republic is interested in cooperating with Latvia in
accession to the EU and is prepared to support Latvia's efforts to join
NATO," said Zeman.
Ulmanis said the only problem between Prague and Riga is the trade
deficit in the Czechs' favor. Czech Government spokesman Libor Roucek
said Ulmanis is looking forward to Zeman's visit, which will be the
first visit by a Czech prime minister to Latvia.
Sasa Jokic/Sofia Karakeva
Student's May King Reigns on Rainy Shooters' Island
May 8, one week after a neo-fascist skinhead rally (see Carolina
321), Prague's Shooters'Island (Strelecky ostrov) turned into a rainy
but joyful realm of music, theater, humor and beer stands. The
traditional student's May Festival (Majales) took place there with the
indispensable election of the Student's May King.
The festivities started with a would-be Mardi Gras parade from
Palach Square to the island. Two stages were built there, a smaller one
for theater performances and a larger one for musical performances and
for the election and coronation of the May King. Jiri Machacek from the
Basement Theater (Divadlo Sklep) entertained the public as master of
ceremonies. He tried to please the audience, which stood in the rain
after the Komorany Meteorological Institute had predicted the weather
will continue to be "fair."
"Big Daddy" Havlicek, dressed as Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, launched
the election campaign with his slogan Morality Is Base (Moralka je
grunt). The candidate Jitka spoke passionately in favor of love and
freedom. Marvin, the third candidate, was accompanied by a cabinet of
Marvins and supported the idea of free beer snacks for students and
promoted sex as an Olympic event. Marik, a general without an army,
escorted by a beautiful girl, did not promise anything, but said all his
promises would be kept.
Students voted for the king with tickets thrown into ballot boxes
for each candidate during the concert by rocker Ivan Hlas. Despite cold
and rain, the feast went on into the night. Marvin won.
Lenka Nejezchlebova/Milan Smid
FROM SLOVAKIA
Michal Kovac Abandons Presidential Candidacy
Former Slovak President Michal Kovac will no longer run for
president. He announced his intention on the Slovak television program
Round Table May 11. He said he is resigning in favor of other
pro-Government coalition candidates, but did not specify whom he
supports. Although the official coalition candidate is Kosice Mayor and
Chairman of the Civic Understanding Party (SOP) Rudolf Schuster, former
actress and ambassador Magda Vasaryova and National Assembly member
Juraj Svec can also be considered pro-coalition.
Slovaks will choose from 10 candidates in the first round of the
elections, as the latest polls predict a finish of Schuster, former
Premier Vladimir Meciar and Vasaryova (see Carolina 330).
Kovac's presidential term ended in March 1998, and since then
Slovakia has been without a president. According to the public opinion
polls, about 6 per cent of voters would have voted for Kovac.
Zuzana Janeckova/Zuzana Janeckova
TV Markiza Breaks the Law
The Slovak Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting punished
TV Markiza with a penalty of 250,000 Slovak crowns. During its
broadcasting, TV Markiza repeatedly gave preferential treatment to the
Government coalition's presidential candidate, Rudolf Schuster. Director
of the Council Office Jarmila Grujbarova warned that TV Markiza is in
danger of losing its license.
Zuzana Janeckova/Zuzana Janeckova
ECONOMY
Center of Attention: Commerce Bank
The advertisement for the sale of the state share in the Commerce
Bank (Komercni banka) will not be published until August, two months
later than originally expected, according to Zdenek Flidr from the
Finance Ministry. "There is nothing that could threaten its stability
and successful privatization," said Deputy Prime Minister for Economic
Policy Pavel Mertlik for daily Hospodarske noviny May 6.
One day earlier, the Cabinet discussed a capital increase for the
financial giant but postponed its decision until the following week. The
Government May 10 approved a capital increase of 9.5 billion crowns.
Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda said for Hospodarske noviny May 11: "This
process is necessary from the perspective of confirming the bank's
sufficient stability so its privatization at the beginning of 2000 can
run smoothly to a successful conclusion without the necessity of further
intervention," said Bank Director Jan Kollert.
The Commerce Bank regular general meeting, which should approve the
capital increase through a new share issue, will take place May 31.
Pavlina Hodkova/Denisa Vitkova
Unemployment Rate Surprisingly Declines
According to data published in daily Hospodarske noviny May 11, in
April the Czech Republic's unemployment rate fell from 8.4 per cent to
8.2 per cent, meaning that every 12th Czech is without work. That
translates to 146,244 more people than in April 1998. The highest
unemployment rate - 16.7 per cent - was recorded in the counties of
Most, Chomutov (both northern Bohemia) and Karvina (northern Moravia).
The lowest rate belongs to Prague - 2.6 per cent.
Pavlina Hodkova/Denisa Vitkova
International Armaments Fair IDET in Brno
"The time when government officials behaved toward the weapons
industry abominably is over," said Prime Minister Milos Zeman at the
opening of the IDET armaments industry exposition in Brno May 4. He also
said he believes in the integration of the Czech armaments industry into
Europe, according to the daily Pravo.
The entire week of the fair was accompanied by demonstrations by
peace activists from the non-government association The Unbowed, which,
carrying banners with slogans like "Your wars, our lives, your profits,"
called attention to the fact that exhibitors support dictatorial regimes
and profit from the suffering of innocent people. Zeman objected to the
activists, saying the Czech Republic does not export weapons to
high-risk areas.
Petr Novy/Denisa Vitkova
ECONOMY IN BRIEF:
* Regina Razlova, former Skloexport chairwoman of the board charged
with misusing insider information, was released April 29 after 11 months
of police custody (see Carolina 260, 292).
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank (valid May 14)
------------------------------------------------------------
1 EUR = 37.800
country currency CZK
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 23.683
Great Britain 1 GBP 57.452
Denmark 1 DKK 5.084
Japan 100 JPY 29.215
Canada 1 CAD 24.293
IMF 1 XDR 47.962
Hungary 100 HUF 15.096
Norway 1 NOK 4.605
New Zealand 1 NZD 19.879
Poland 1 PLN 8.988
Greece 100 GRD 11.629
Slovakia 100 SKK 83.129
Slovenia 100 SIT 19.692
Sweden 1 SEK 4.222
Switzerland 1 CHF 23.605
USA 1 USD 35.408
Exchange Rates of countries particpating in the euro
(converted from the euro rate)
country currency CZK
-----------------------------------------
Germany 1 DEM 19.327
Belgium 100 BEF 93.704
Finland 1 FIM 6.358
France 1 FRF 5.763
Ireland 1 IEP 47.996
Italy 1000 ITL 19.522
Luxemburg 100 LUF 93.704
Netherlands 1 NLG 17.153
Portugal 100 PTE 18.855
Austria 1 ATS 2.747
Spain 100 ESP 22.718
CULTURE
Prague Spring Full of Stars
Bedrich Smetana's My Homeland May 12 opened the 54th year of the
Prague Spring music festival in Prague's Municipal House. The
festival's traditional opening composition was performed by the Czech
Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.
The biggest attractions of the festival include sold-out
performances by the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra with conductor
James Levin. Audiences can also see the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
with Riccardo Chailly,the Slovak Philharmonic with Ondrej Lenard and the
French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Mark Janowski. Violin
concerts include performances by Czech musicians Josef Suk, Ivan Zenaty
and Frantisek Novotny, as well as also Maxim Vengerov, Vadim Repin,
Gidon Kremer, Catherine Mackintosh and Gil Shaham.
Josef Koukolicek/Jan Martinek
Prague Golden Again
From May 3-6, the 36th Golden Prague International Television
Festival was held at Zofin on Prague's Slavic Island (Slovansky ostrov).
The French movie Flamenco Singer Agujetas was awarded first prize. The
first Czech Crystal will be given to Czech Television for two
documentaries about composer Bohuslav Martinu, The Tears of the Knife
and The Wonderful Flight, the second Czech Crystal will be given to the
German creators of Opera Fanatic. The musical programs Black and White
in Color, Let's Take a Walk with Antanas Rekasius and Mozart's Mystery
- K621b gained honorable mentions. A special award was given to the
Ramadan Celebratory Concert from the Sarajevo National Theater. The
student jury agreed with the regular jury on The Wonderful Flight.
Besides the traditional showings of films about music and dance,
this year's festival offered a number of recorded concert performances
ranging from classical music through pop, rock and country to jazz and
world music. The international jury, including representatives of
renowned television companies and headed by last year's winner Larry
Weinstein, reviewed 125 films from 30 countries.
The audience had a chance to see more than 40 public projections in
two Prague cinemas, MAT and Evald. In Zofin all the competing films were
shown in improvised videostands. The low price of a ticket price of 20
crowns was given to the Barriers account.
Zuzana Galova/Jan Martinek
Mlada Fronta Awards
The Mlada Fronta Publishers' Award was given to the Czech historian
Frantisek Kavka for his books The Last Luxembourg on the Czech Throne
and Charles IV - The Life of a Great Emperor. Katerina Vinsova and Sarka
Grauova received awards for translation. Jozef Sodomka was honored for
his graphic work on the novel translated by Grauova. A prize was also
given to Petr Borkovec for his book of poetry Field Work.
Jana Kadlecova/Zuzana Janeckova
SPORTS
Hockey World Championships: Czechs in Finals
The thrilling last game against Sweden in the quarterfinal group
and (after our deadline) another win in the two-game semifinal series
against Canada moved the Czech Republic's national hockey team into the
final of the World Championships in Norway. Recent Czech success,
including a world championship in 1996 and the Nagano Olympics gold,
continues.
The Czechs had to work hard to advance to the semifinals. After an
easy advance from their first-round group, they were shocked by a 1-6
debacle against Russia. Czech player Tomas Vlasak opened the scoring,
but then Russia scored three times in the first period and goalkeeper
Roman Cechmanek was replaced by Milan Hnilicka, who made some good saves
but allowed three more goals.
In the game against Slovakia, Slovakia led 2-0 after 12 minutes.
The Czech team then took advantage of two power plays and tied the score
before the first break. The second period was decisive, as the Czechs
scored four unanswered goals and defeated Slovakia 8-2, the worst Slovak
loss ever in the World Championships Pool A.
Slovakia tied Russia 2-2, making the Czech road to the semifinals
easier. To advance, the Czech Republic simply had to defeat Sweden.
Goalkeepers Milan Hnilicka and Tommy Salo were flawless in the
first period, but in the second period Salo, trying a pass during the
Czech power play, hit forechecking Martin Prochazka and the puck
deflected into the empty goal. Five minutes later Viktor Ujcik scored
the second Czech goal, and Hnilicka did not allow a goal, so the Czechs
advanced. "Hnilicka was the second Hasek today," defender Pavel Kubina
said.
Each semifinal series is two games, but if the treams split the
games, overtime follows, with the final possibility of a shootout.
Results of the quarterfinal group:
Czech Republic - Russia 1-6 (1-3, 0-0, 0-3). Goal: Tomas Vlasak.
Czech Republic - Slovakia 8-2 (2-2, 4-0, 2-0). Goals: Jan Caloun,
Petr Sykora, Martin Rucinsky, David Vyborny, Roman Simicek, Pavel
Patera, Jan Hlavac, Radek Dvorak.
Czech Republic - Sweden 2-0 (0-0, 2-0, 0-0). Goals: Martin
Prochazka, Viktor Ujcik.
Standings of the quarterfinal group: 1. Czech Republic 4, 2. Sweden
4, 3. Russia 3, 4. Slovakia 1.
Stepan Etrych/Mirek Langer
After deadline: Semifinal series: Czech Republic - Canada 1-2 and 6-4.
The Czechs advanced after winning the shootout and will meet Finland in
the finals.
Soccer League: Slavia and Sparta Each Score Four Goals
Slavia answered Sparta's four-goal explosion by winning on a hot
Opava field 4-0, with two goals scored in the first six minutes. It was
Opava's first home loss. Sparta proved why it leads the standings with
one of the spring's best performances in beating Brno.
Teplice, trying to stay with the Prague teams, picked up three
points in Drnovice, which reacted to the loss by firing coach Ivan
Kopecky, who will return to the post of sports director. Former Brno
coach Karel Vecera will be the new Drnovice coach.
A number of teams are bunched at the bottom of the standings. Plzen
defeated Pribram, dropping Pribram to 15th (second-to-last) place.
Karvina remains last, but its hopes are still alive after a victory
against Blsany.
Results of the 26th round: Sparta Praha - Brno 4-1, Karvina
- Blsany 2-0, Drnovice - Teplice 0-2, Plzen - Dukla Pribram 2-1, Olomouc
- Liberec 3-0, Jablonec - Zizkov 0-1, Hradec Kralove - Ostrava 0-2,
Opava - Slavia Praha 0-4.
Standings after the 26th round: 1. Sparta Praha 53, 2. Slavia Praha
48, 3. Teplice 46, 4. Olomouc 42, 5. Ostrava 38, 6. Brno 37, 7. Blsany
37, 8. Drnovice 36, 9. Liberec 34, 10. Zizkov 31, 11. Opava 30, 12.
Hradec Kralove 30, 13. Jablonec 29, 14. Plzen 26, 15. Dukla Pribram 24,
16. Karvina 22.
Jirka Wazik/Mirek Langer
After deadline: 27th round: Dukla Pribram - Karvina 3-1, Zizkov - Sparta
Praha 1-6, Jablonec - Olomouc 3-2, Brno - Hradec Kralove 0-1, Ostrava
- Plzen 0-1, Slavia Praha - Liberec 1-0, Teplice - Opava 4-0, Blsany
- Drnovice 3-1.
SPORTS IN BRIEF
* Managements of the Jablonec and Liberec soccer clubs are
considering a merger to create a single strong club for northern
Bohemia. The new club would be called Podjestedsky SK and could compete
with the perennial Prague powers.
* Javelin-thrower Jan Zelezny returned after a shoulder injury from
longer than a year ago and won the the Grand Prix event in Osaka, Japan
with a throw of 87.57 meters.
* Mlekarna Kunin won the Czech men's basketball league title,
defeating USK Praha 4-0 in the final series.
* Antonin Kasper finished fifth in the first Speedway Grand Prix
event in Prague's Marketa Stadium, won by Poland's Tomasz Gollob.
Jirka Wazik, Josef Koukolicek/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Monday - street vendors suffer from heat stroke. 25 degrees Celsius/77
degrees Fahrenheit. The sun is torturing us.
Tuesday - the rains threatened, but did not come. Have mercy on us! Will
sunshine be our destiny? The same temperature.
Wednesday - slight wind. Similar temperatures. Shall humanity be saved?
Thursday - clouds appear in the sky. The first drops of rain fall.
People are in the streets. Dancing in the rain. New life was given to
the living.
Friday - It's raining. Bloody weather.
Zuzana Janeckova/Zuzana Janeckova
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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