News of Radio Prague
Verheugen: Benes decrees problem has disappeared
The European Union's Commissioner for Enlargement, Guenter Verheugen, has praised the settling of the dispute between the Czech Republic and Austria over the post-war Benes decrees. Addressing a lecture in Vienna on Tuesday, Mr Verheugen was quoted as saying the problem had now disappeared. The Benes decrees sanctioned the expulsion of around three million ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia after the Second World War. The expulsion has been the source of tension with Austria in recent years, with some expellees calling for an apology and restitution of property. The two countries recently made progress towards settling the dispute.
Cibrian: Czech economic growth could exceed 3 percent after EU entry
The head of the European Commission's delegation to Prague, Ramiro Cibrian, has said new EU members can expect a rise in growth rates after they join the EU. Speaking at an economic forum in Prague, Mr Cibrian said economic growth could exceed 3 percent in the first years after accession, expected in 2004. Analysts expect economic growth in the Czech Republic to reach 2.5 per cent by the end of this year.
Britain deports another 39 Czech Roma
Britain has deported another 39 Czech citizens after rejecting their requests for asylum. The group, all believed to be members of the Roma minority, was the seventh to arrive in Prague since Britain began deporting Czech asylum seekers in September. The British authorities say all asylum requests by Czech Roma will be turned down because the Czech government does not persecute its citizens. The Roma say they suffer discrimination and are frequently attacked by far-right skinheads.
Police detain 70 Chinese migrants near Slovak border
Police on the Czech-Slovak border have detained a group of 70 Chinese migrants after they entered the country illegally. A Slovak man suspected of guiding the group across the border was also arrested. A police spokesman said the group was on its way to Western Europe. The Czech Republic is a popular transit route for asylum seekers heading for the European Union. Thousands are detained on the country's borders each year.
Sixteen-year-old boy to go on trial for murder
A sixteen-year-old boy is to appear in court this week charged with murder. The boy has admitted stabbing a 31-year-old man after becoming involved in an argument outside a pub. The man later died in hospital. The attack took place in the east Bohemian village of Smirice in May. The boy faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted of murder.
Weather forecast
Wednesday will be another cloudy and rainy day, with the chance of snow in the mountains. Temperatures in the daytime will range from three to seven degrees Celsius, falling to freezing at night.
