News Sunday, AUGUST 16th, 1998

Radio Prague E News Written / Read by: Pauline Newman Date: 15.8.98

Hello and a very warm welcome to the programme. I'm Pauline Newman, first let's take a look at the main headlines of the day:

You are tuned to Radio Prague. I'm Pauline Newman, those were the headlines, now let's take a look at the news in full:

Doctors said on Saturday morning that Czech President Vaclav Havel is recovering nicely after his recent operation and breathing complications. They declined to give a precise date as to when they would bring him off the tracheostomy. Bohumil Limberk, who is a member of the President's team of doctors said Vaclav Havel's rehabilitation programme is to remain the same, and admitted that the tracheostomy which is helping Havel breathe, would be removed in the near future. The President is said to be walking around and is in good spirits. Vaclav Havel underwent an intestinal operation on the 26 July, which triggered off breathing problems. The tracheostomy, an incision into the neck, is keeping his air passages clear.

The right wing Freedom Union party has called on members of Vaclav Klaus's Civic Democratic Party, the ODS to stop the Social Democrat government passing its vote of confidence. The ODS and the Social Democrats signed an agreement after the elections, whereby Klaus's party will tolerate the government. Under the terms of the deal, the ODS will not try to bring the government down. It is enough for the ODS to leave the room when the vote takes place next week. On Saturday, the Union announced that the Social Democrat government policy is very dangerous and will burden the next generation with debts. Freedom Union leader Jan Ruml, called on the ODS to behave responsibly, saying his party rejects the agreement signed between Klaus and Premier Milos Zeman. He told journalists that it is an irresponsible experiment, relying upon the failure of the government, which the ODS expects to profit from, at the expense of the country. The Freedom Union was formed last year by breakaway members of the ODS.

Finally, the food lovers among you, may be interested in a celebration which took place on Saturday afternoon in Prague. Cooks and bakers all over the Czech Republic attended a big cultural festival at Prague's Vystaviste, to celebrate St Vavrinec Day. St Vavrinec or St. Lawrence being the Patron Saint of all cooks and bakers. Eating and drinking races took place, as well as various attempts at breaking world records in cooking.

And we end as usual, with a quick look at the weather: Sunday will see a slight drop in the high temperatures from Saturday down to an average of 25 degrees celsius. A cold front moving towards the Czech Republic, means cloudy skies and the possibility of scattered showers towards the evening.

I'm Pauline Newman and that's the end of the news.