GUGSP © 1997, 98 Miro Sedivy GUGSP News Archive: 01 Jan - 04 Jan 1998 A summary of the most important events in the Slovak politics in the 1st week of the year 1998. MAIN LIST -- WEEK 2 The President Michal Kovac appreciated the economic advance of the Slovak republic and the successful decision of the international conflict on the Gabcikovo Danube Dam. On the other side, the Europe still does not suppose Slovakia as a serious and stable partner, and it's the loss of the current government. HZDS declared to be proud of being the political subject who lead Slovakia to its independence. They're sure that the history will appreciate last five years positively... Since Friday, 2nd January, the Parliament can elect a new President without violating the Constitution. The current President will end on 2nd March, so it's the right time to begin the election. Vladimir Meciar said, that the current presidential candidates of the Slovak Democratic Coalition (Stefan Markus) and of the Party of the Democratic Left (Juraj Hrasko) are not acceptable for HZDS. He said, that the opposition did not, until now, pronounce a name of any acceptable candidate... It seems that if the President is not elected in the first round, not even in the second or third, because HZDS has 61 deputies (150-61=89, and there are 90 deputies needed for election of a new President), most President's functions will move on 2nd March into hands of Vladimir Meciar. Since the 1st January 1998, there are several changes in prices and taxes in Slovakia. For example (and this concerns also GUGSP), the phone call cost increase from 1.80 to 2.10 SKK, while one impulse is twice shorter. So if one hour of a local phone call cost 36 SKK before, now it costs 63 SKK (1 USD ~ 30 SKK). But I hope I'll be still able to connect to the Net and to bring you GUGSP news. There are changes in the customs system too. The import tax decreased from 7% to 5% and should be abolished entirely in October. Also, travelers may import goods up to 6000 SKK (~200 USD) without paying customs. Before, the amount was only 3000 SKK. There were also several accidents during last week. An ambulance helicopter fell down in Bratislava, two persons and one new-born died. At Friday night, an Audi with the Slovak National Party leader Jan Slota crashed near Zilina, no injuries. Dusan Kovac, a Slovak worker, who has been kidnapped in Chechenia more than five months ago, finally arrived home.