Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes says Kundera Noted Czech writer accused of collaboration with communist secret police ...
French connections and European visions ...
Hurricane Ike weakens over Cuba ...
Social Democrats Pick Steinmeier to Fight Merkel in German Poll ... document is not a fake
The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes has ruled out that the document stating that Czech born writer Milan Kundera had reported an agent from the West to the communist authorities in 1950 could be a fake.
The institute’s spokesman Jiří Reichl said the document was obviously authentic and bore the signature of Jaroslav Rosický, a former member of the communist police who worked in the respective department at the time. The institute has however conceded that the evidence against Kundera is not absolute. That would require finding all survivors which the institute has been unable to do. Mr. Kundera, who lives in France, spoke to the media for the first time in 25 years to defend himself, telling the CTK news agency the allegations were fabricated lies intended to destroy his reputation.
Social Democrats ask for no-confidence vote in centre-right government
The opposition Social Democrats have tabled a proposal for a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Topolánek’s centre-right government. Lower house chairman Miloslav Vlček said the vote would most likely take place next Wednesday, October 22. The main opposition party has already forced three votes of no-confidence in the government but failed to overturn it each time. Now it is hoping that party infighting within the coalition and a highly publicized corruption scandal involving the ruling Civic Democrats could turn the scales in its favour. The no-confidence vote is to take place after the first round of Senate and regional elections due to be held this weekend.
Christian Democrats to raise awareness of Cuban political prisoners
The Christian Democrats of the Czech governing coalition have unveiled an internet project designed to increase awareness of the plight of political prisoners in Cuba. The project is called “prisoners of conscience -we know about you” and every day the party’s web site will profile the fate of one political prisoner. Although the Czech Republic agreed with the lifting of sanctions against Cuba in June of this year some Czech politicians consider this to have been a mistake, believing that diplomatic and business ties should not be reintroduced without democratic reforms in Cuba.
Cuba's foreign minister Felipe Perez Roque warned on Tuesday that President Raul Castro would never renounce socialism, just days before Havana is to hold landmark talks with European Union leaders. The EU delegation will include French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, his Czech counterpart Karel Schwarzenberg and EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel.
Čech to miss match against Slovenia
Czech goalkeeper Petr Čech will miss Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia because of a thigh injury. The team’s spokesman said Wednesday morning’s practice had showed that the injury to Petr Čech's thigh muscle limited him to such a point that couldn't play at 100 percent. The Chelsea keeper, 26, sustained the injury during the Czech Republic's 2-1 loss to Poland on Saturday.
Weather
The next few days are expected to be partly cloudy to overcast with rain in places and day temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
(radio-Prague)
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