Archive of articles - December 2002

10th anniversary of Slovakia tonight

PM lays charges against crime boss

Hungarian university project moves ahead

Satinský dies at 61

Welfare, recycling rules tightened

Corruption a Sk30 billion phenomenon

Sumimoto buys Slovak emissions rights

Drunk driver sets new Slovak record

Injured soldiers back home

FDI at $3.46 billion for 1-3Q02

Tkač: Mečiar greatest barrier

Army cuts continue

Jobless rate high, trend positive

Harabin's re-election "bad news"

Peter Šťastný named Person of the Year

A TIRELESS champion of Slovak ice hockey and one of the greatest players in the game's history has been selected as person of the year for 2002 by the staff of The Slovak Spectator.A native of Bratislava, Peter Šťastný was one of the NHL's top players in the 1980s before becoming captain, architect, spiritual leader and general manager of Slovakia's national side, which won ice hockey's world championship in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Russia in May.Šťastný, the NHL's number-two scorer for the 1980s behind Wayne Gretzky, is one of Slovakia's most famous native sons. He has been working to raise the quality and visibility of Slovak hockey since the country's 1993 independence.

Justice Minister takes on corruption

JUSTICE Minister Daniel Lipšic is renewing his efforts to lead the cabinet's fight against corruption, a major issue that looms over Slovakia's integration aspirations.At a December 11 cabinet meeting Lipšic was named head of an anticorruption department, which is to coordinate anticorruption policies. It will replace the anticorruption unit set up by the previous cabinet, whose efforts were often criticised for being too formal, vague, and ineffective.The recent cabinet decision was in direct response to earlier calls by European Union (EU) institutions to create a specific cabinet position responsible for tackling bribery.

Former spy boss Lexa ends year in custody

CHASING down former secret service director Ivan Lexa over charges in connection with numerous activities while he was in office from 1995 to 1998 - including sabotage, the kidnapping of the former president's son and fraud - was one of the most dramatic stories of 2002.Investigations into his behaviour while in office had been hampered by the fact that Lexa, a member of Vladimír Mečiar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), was elected to parliament in 1998, and as an MP enjoyed parliamentary immunities. The parliament freed the investigators' hands in 1999 by allowing a criminal investigation into the various allegations.In 2000, he was arrested and held briefly in custody. When released, Lexa fled the country pursued by an international Interpol warrant for his arrest. After two years, Slovakia welcomed Lexa back home in 2002, and the cat-and-mouse game began again:

Building sector output up

What to do if you don't ski

THE BIGGEST attraction of the High Tatras lies of course in the different ski resorts. But people who are non-skiers should not feel discouraged, as there are many things to do besides skiing.A fun activity is the sled run that follows the cog railway (pozemná lanovka) from Hrebienok to Starý Smokovec. It costs Sk300 (children pay Sk250) to rent a sled. The price covers two rides on the cog railway, which takes you to the top of the mountain, and a glass of hot wine or tea to keep you warm. In addition to the regular hours, there is night sledding on Wednesdays from 19:30 to 22:00.