News of Radio Prague
Telecom general director sacked following privatisation debacle
The general director of the country's monopoly telecom operator, Cesky Telecom, has been sacked, following the collapse of plans to privatise the company. General Director Premysl Klima was dismissed at a board meeting on Wednesday. The privatisation of Cesky Telecom, which controls most of the country's fixed lines and also the leading mobile operator Eurotel, was one of the few remaining sell-offs of the post-communist era. However the deal fell through on Tuesday, when potential investor Deutsche Bank failed to meet the share price demanded by TelSource, which holds a 27-percent stake in the company.
Czech Republic welcomes Danish concessions to EU candidates
The Czech Republic has welcomed an offer of financial concessions to European Union candidates. The country's chief negotiator for EU entry, Pavel Telicka, described the offer as an improvement on previous proposals. However he added that his country would continue to fight for better entry terms before December's EU summit in Copenhagen. Denmark, which currently holds the revolving presidency of the EU, unveiled a plan on Monday to improve financial terms of accession for ten candidates expected to join in mid 2004. The plan was heavily criticised by several EU members including Germany.
Czech-born director Karel Reisz dies in London age 76
The Czech-born film director Karel Reisz, renowned for his critically acclaimed masterpiece "The French Lieutenant's Woman," has died in London at the age of 76. Mr Reisz, who came to England as a refugee from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, became one of the leaders of the New Wave in British-film making. Mr Reisz was one of the hundreds of children saved by the Nazis by the British diplomat Nicholas Winton, arriving in England at the age of 12. Towards the end of the war he flew as a pilot with the Royal Air Force.
President Havel names new army chief-of-staff
President Vaclav Havel has appointed a new chief-of-staff of the Czech armed forces. Major General Pavel Stefka will replace Jiri Sedivy, who is leaving the post in December. President Havel thanked Mr Sedivy for his dedication and hard work, saying he had enjoyed great respect among members of the armed forces.
Final bid to introduce direct presidential elections fails
A successor to Mr Havel will definitely be elected under the current parliamentary system, after a final bid to allow a direct vote failed on Wednesday. The lower house of parliament rejected a bill to introduce direct presidential elections in the first reading. A new president will be elected in a joint session of the two houses of parliament on January 15th. Mr Havel steps down on February 2nd, after twelve years in the post.
New poll: more than 60 percent support EU, NATO membership
A new opinion poll released on Wednesday shows that more than 60 percent of the Czech public support their country's entry to the European Union and are satisfied with NATO membership. The poll, carried out by the STEM agency in November, found that 64 percent of Czechs would vote for joining the EU in a referendum, while 68 percent supported NATO membership. The Czech Republic was admitted to NATO in March 1999, together with Poland and Hungary, and is among the 10 leading candidates for EU membership.
Police break up suspected pervitine gang
Police in Central Bohemia have arrested seven people accused of manufacturing and selling the illegal drug pervitine, a cheap amphetamine which can be made easily in makeshift laboratories. Police raided several homes and seized chemicals used to produce the drug.
Weather forecast
Thursday will be another overcast and rainy day, with the chance of fog in places. Temperatures in the daytime will range from seven to 11 degrees Celsius, falling at night to lows of three degrees.
