News of Radio Prague
Belarus puts pressure on Prague
The Republic of Belorus has warned Prague against refusing its delegation to the NATO summit entry into the Czech Republic. A Belorus foreign ministry statement said that a decision not to issue its delegation entry visas would have "serious consequences" for bilateral relations. It said further that such a move would be a gross violation of international law. The Czech Cabinet met to debate this sensitive issue last week, leaving the final decision with the Foreign Ministry. President Lukasenko who wants to lead the Belarus delegation to Prague is frequently criticized for his country's record on human rights and freedom of speech. The Czech Foreign Ministry is expected to come to a decision within the next few days.
Former communist media boss charged with treason
Karel Hoffman, a former high ranking communist official has been charged with treason. Hoffman, who was one of the communist party hard-liners, is accused of having ordered a radio and TV blackout following the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in order to prevent the media broadcasting a statement by the party's central committee which condemned the action. Broadcasts were allegedly resumed only after these institutions were staffed with journalists who backed the invasion. Hoffman's case was investigated in the mid-90s but was later closed for insufficient evidence. In a related development, the Kremlin has promised to hand over a file of all documents pertaining to the 1968 events within the next few weeks.
Cabinet reassures farmers on EU
Leading government officials have met with Czech farmers to try to convince them of the long-term benefits of joining the European Union. Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla and Foreign Minster Cyril Svoboda addressed a gathering of over 1,000 farmers in south Bohemia on Monday in an effort to allay concerns about their future once the country joins the European Union. The Czech Republic is still negotiating the terms of the agriculture chapter of the accession agreement and Prime Minister Spidla promised the gathering that Czech farmers would get the best possible deal. Czech farmers say that if they feel that their livelihood would be threatened by EU accession they would try to convince people in their vicinity to vote against EU membership in the referendum next spring.
New internet radio on the scene
The Interior Ministry has launched its own internet radio. The mainstay of this information service for the public is the work of the police and firefighters, traffic and weather reports for drivers, and under the present circumstances preparations for the November NATO summit in Prague. There will also be bulletins on the work of the ministry, in particular its public service department and interviews with ministry officials. The interior ministry's Internet Radio project will cost approximately 180,000 crowns a year and is to be covered by the ministry's fund for prevention of crime.
Heating crisis in north Bohemia
More than 100,000 people in north Bohemia are without heating following the weekend collapse of a regional heating plant. Schools, stores and offices have had to be closed in Hradec Kralove, the country's sixth largest city and hospitals have been evacuating their patients to medical institutions in other parts of the country. The authorities say it could be three weeks before the plant is fixed .Many families have either sought temporary shelter in the homes friends and relatives or they use electricity and gas stoves to warm their flats and houses. A police spokeswoman has appealed to the public to take great care when using stoves and ovens as an emergency form of heating. The mass use of electricity heaters around the clock has caused several brief power failures in the region. Worse still, in the case of gas ovens there is a danger of gas-poisoning or an explosion. Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla is due to visit the region to discuss emergency measures and encourage local residents.
Weather:
Tuesday is expected to be partly cloudy with scattered showers and snow in the higher altitudes. Day temperatures have been forecast at between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius. A slight warming is expected on Wednesday when temperatures should climb to 12 degrees Celsius.
