New environment minister wins president’s approval

The new environment minister, Pavel Drobil, on Tuesday briefed President Vaclav Klaus about his priorities in office. Mr. Drobil said following the talks that the president had approved his plans for the ministry, which will seek to balance the needs of the environment with those of society. The new environment minister, who was originally considered a hot candidate for the trade and industry ministry, has alarmed environmental activists by announcing a change of direction in environmental policies that will most likely include support for nuclear power and a more benevolent policy towards business activities in protected nature reserves.