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05/08/2002
The controversial Temelin nuclear power plant has been shut down again. Problems were discovered in the turbine in the south Bohemian plant's first reactor during tests on Tuesday, and the plant has been disconnected from the national grid. Temelin has been shut down several times since its launch in late 2000, and there have been calls from neighbouring countries and environmental groups for the plant to be abandoned completely.
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05/07/2002
The lower house has approved the issuing of bonds worth 600 million crowns or almost 17 million US dollars to finance the Czech military mission in Afghanistan. The bill has yet to be approved by the Senate and the president. A Czech military field hospital has begun work in the Afghan capital Kabul where the Czech Army medical personnel will provide care to members of international military units as well as local citizens.
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05/05/2002
Sunday, May 5th is the deadline for Czech citizens living abroad to register at Czech embassies and consulates if they wish to cast their votes in this year's parliamentary elections. Czech diplomats have agreed that people are less interested in this year's general election than Czech authorities expected. According to unofficial estimates there are about 70,000 Czech citizens living abroad, many of whom have criticised the fact that they have to travel to distant embassies rather than cast their votes by post.
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05/04/2002
Sunday, May 5th is the deadline for Czech citizens living abroad to register at Czech embassies and consulates before this year's parliamentary elections; otherwise they will not be allowed to cast their votes. Embassy officials say that only a few hundred people have registered so far and no major changes are expected by Sunday. The largest number of Czechs have registered in neighbouring Slovakia where approximately 200 people wish to vote. Czech diplomats have agreed that people are less interested in this year's general election than Czech authorities expected. According to unofficial estimates there are about 70,000 Czech citizens living abroad, many of whom have criticised the fact that they have to travel to distant embassies rather than cast their votes by post.
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05/03/2002
Czech citizens living abroad who wish to cast their votes in this year's parliamentary elections have to register at Czech embassies and consulates by Sunday, May 5th. Embassy officials say that only a few hundred people have registered so far and no major changes are expected by Sunday. The largest number of Czechs has registered in neighbouring Slovakia where just 200 people wish to vote. Czech diplomats agree that people are less interested in this year's general election than Czech authorities expected. According to unofficial estimates there are about 70,000 Czech citizens living abroad and many have criticised the fact that they have to travel to distant embassies rather than cast their votes by post.
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05/01/2002
Meanwhile supporters of the Communist Party have gathered on Prague's Letna plain, for the party's annual rally. The head of the Communist Party, Miroslav Grebenicek, stressed the party's opposition to membership of NATO and the European Union, and warned of class struggle in the Czech Republic. The rally was attended by around ten thousand mostly elderly people.
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05/01/2002
The European Centre for Roma Rights has again criticised the situation of the Czech Republic's large Roma minority. The Budapest-based organisation said Czech Roma faced "racial discrimination in almost all areas of economic and social rights." The organisation said there was no political will in the Czech Republic to address the problem.
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04/29/2002
The first reactor at the Temelin nuclear power station, which was connected to the national grid for the first time in two months on Sunday morning, was disconnected again later on Sunday. The plant's spokesman said the reason had been a minor defect on a steam pipe. Until Sunday Temelin had been shut down for repairs to the non-nuclear part of the station. The safety of the plant, which combines Soviet design and western operating technology, continues to cause controversy.
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04/28/2002
The first reactor at the Temelin nuclear power station was connected to the national grid for the first time in two months on Sunday morning. Temelin had been shut down for repairs to the non-nuclear part of the station. It is now running at around 40 percent of capacity. There has been a great deal of controversy over the south Bohemia plant, which critics say is unsafe.
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04/25/2002
The first contingent of a Czech Army field hospital crew has arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, complete with terrain vehicles, technical equipment, and supplies, to take part in a six month mission. The first contingent, which includes 30 members, will prepare the site for the field hospital, which will staff some 150 Czech doctors and medical personnel expected to depart for Afghanistan at the beginning of May. The mission is expected to cost some 600 million crowns, although there is still uncertainty over how the mission will be funded.