• World War II prime minister Elias buried with full military honours in Prague
    05/07/2006

    World War II Czech prime minister Alois Elias has been buried with full military honours at Prague's Vitkov national memorial, 64 years after his death. General Elias served under the Nazi Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia but was executed by the Germans in 1942 after the assassination of its governor, Reinhard Heydrich. His wife Jaroslava was also reburied.

    Memorial ceremonies were also held on Sunday at Prague's Olsany cemeteries for those who fell in the Prague Uprising of May 1945, as well as British, Soviet and Bulgarian fighters.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Anniversary of liberation of Plzen celebrated
    05/07/2006

    On Saturday the liberation of the west Bohemian city of Plzen by US troops on May 6, 1945 was remembered in a celebration entitled "Thanks, America!". A number of veterans of the liberation attended the event, as did Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, who said it was one of the most significant events in modern Czech history. Monday - Victory in Europe Day - is a state holiday in the Czech Republic.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Tributes paid to legendary World War II pilot General Frantisek Perina
    05/07/2006

    Tributes have been paid to the legendary Czech World War II pilot General Frantisek Perina, who has died at the age of 95. The chief of staff of the Czech Army, Pavel Stefka, described him as a hero. He said the general, who returned from exile in 1993, had helped build the modern Czech Army. The minister of defence, Karel Kuhnl, praised General Perina's ability to discuss issues such as patriotism and defence of the nation with all generations.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Senior police also to blame for beating of government official, says Bublan
    05/07/2006

    Senior police officers may also have been to blame for an incident in which a government official was beaten by a policeman during a demonstration, the interior minister, Frantisek Bublan, said on a TV debate programme on Sunday. Mr Bublan said the police's system had failed because officers without special riot training had been deployed. Police officer Tomas Cermak may face criminal charges after injuring the head of the government's human rights section Katerina Jacques during an anti-Nazi protest.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Czechs in World Championships quarter-finals after win over Slovenia
    05/07/2006

    The Czech ice hockey team has secured a place in the quarter-finals of the World Championships in Riga after beating Slovenia 5:4. The Czechs, who drew with the hosts Latvia in their opening game, face Finland in their final group match on Tuesday.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Nedved goal helps Juventus close in on Italian title
    05/07/2006

    Czech footballer Pavel Nedved is within grasp of another Italian league title with his club Juventus, after scoring the opening goal in their 2:1 defeat of Palermo on Sunday. Juve will retain the Serie A crown as long as they are not beaten by Reginna in their last game next weekend.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Legendary World War II pilot Frantisek Perina dies
    05/06/2006

    One of the greatest Czech heroes of World War II, General Frantisek Perina, has died in Prague at the age of 95. General Perina won a reputation as an excellent fighter pilot during the Battles of France and Britain, but was forced out of the Czechoslovak Army by the Communists after the war. He went into exile in 1949 and spent many years in Britain and the United States before returning to the Czech Republic in 1993. The general received many state honours both at home and abroad, including the Czech Order of the White Lion.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Prague court exonerates pilot victim of Communist show trials
    05/06/2006

    A court in Prague has exonerated another Czech World War II pilot, Josef Bryks, Mlada fronta Dnes reported. After serving with the RAF and spending time in a German prisoner-of-war camp, Bryks was sentenced to hard labour in a Communist show trial; he died in the 1950s while working in a uranium mine. His English-born widow Trudie Bryks said it was ironic it had taken so many years for the sentence to be rescinded. The Confederation of Political Prisoners has asked the president to grant the pilot a posthumous state honour.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Celebrations mark liberation of Plzen by US troops in 1945
    05/06/2006

    Celebrations have been taking place in Plzen to mark its liberation by United States soldiers on May 6, 1945. American jeeps were driven around the centre of the west Bohemian city, while many people donned US Army uniforms. But organisers say the turnout was considerably lower than for the 60th anniversary last year. Some ceremonies marking the end of the war were also held in Prague. Monday - Victory in Europe Day - is a state holiday in the Czech Republic.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Rath says Social Democrats could support Civic Democrat minority government
    05/06/2006

    Health Minister David Rath says he does not rule out the possibility of a Civic Democrat minority government supported by his Social Democrats. Speaking in Lidove noviny, Mr Rath said that was one possible variant, and would be better than a "grand coalition" of the Civic and Social Democrats. However, his party colleague Bohuslav Sobotka said such a configuration was not being discussed by the Social Democrats: he said if they cannot form a government it would be better to go into opposition. The Civic Democrats continue to head the polls four weeks ahead of the elections.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

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