Archive of articles - April 2003, page 2

Coalition popularity holding firm

More police on the streets will not beat Slovak crime

AT FIRST glance, the latest Slovak crime figures make worrying reading, with 107,373 crimes reported in 2002. The Interior Ministry believes that putting more police on the streets will improve the situation but that misses the point.After all, the figures only show reported crime, and in a country where the police are not trusted, it is hard to estimate the number of crimes that remain unreported.The Interior Ministry wants to put more officers on the streets by reducing administration, but it should also be looking towards cleaning out the ranks of the police force to improve trust in the general population.

Slovak engineers may de-mine Iraq

Mother of Slovak towns

NITRA, the fourth-largest Slovak city, claims the title of 'the mother of Slovak towns'. The first church in Slovakia was consecrated here in 830 during the reign of Prince Pribina.Despite its long history as a stronghold against Hungarian and later Turkish invaders, this city - with the Danubian plains to the southwest and Tribeč mountains to the northeast - sees surprisingly few tourists.Most visitors to Nitra come for business rather than pleasure - visiting Agrokomplex, one of the largest exhibition venues in Slovakia, which holds an international agricultural trade fair of the same name every August and other exhibitions throughout the year.

EBRD: Slovak economy to grow

Violence against women widespread

Letter to the Editor

Carmakers rev ahead

EVEN before ground has been broken on PSA Peugeot Citroen's planned car plant in Trnava, European and North American automotive suppliers are scouting locations across western Slovakia as the country's auto industry continues to blossom.President Rudolf Schuster drew a number of investment pledges after meeting US auto industry officials in Detroit in mid-April, while Nitra mayor Ferdinand Vítek has said some 30 Peugeot suppliers have already inquired about setting up shop in his town, around 45 kilometres from Trnava and around 85 kilometres from Volkswagen's plant outside Bratislava."There is constant interest from large auto concerns, which are now concentrating on the area of eastern Europe, not only because there are cheaper resources, but also because there is a potential market there. It is reasonable to expect that further investors will have interest in the region," said Economy Minister Róbert Nemcsics.

Police crack gang of pimps

TV council requests STV plans by June

Report shows rise in violence, extremism, property crimes

THE NUMBER of crimes committed in Slovakia grew by nearly 14,500 in 2002 from the previous year, including an increase in murders, racial violence, and corruption crimes, prompting the Interior Ministry to declare a decline in society's moral values.According to a report on the security situation in Slovakia recently published by the ministry, 107,373 crimes were committed in 2002, with total damages assessed at Sk28.8 billion (€689 million).In light of the rising crime figures, the Interior Ministry has proposed a list of priorities for the police force to address this year.

Czech and Slovak posters

Auto museum struggles to survive

JUST as a new chapter in the history of Slovak motor manufacturing is opening, another may be about to close.The Nitra City Museum of Historical Vehicles has exhibits tracing the history of motor transport, both in Slovakia and abroad, from the beginning of the 20th century. However, now it looks as though the collection may be scattered, as the museum struggles with financial problems.Despite international acclaim, the museum is under severe financial pressure. It received grants worth Sk37,000 (€900) from the Nitra City Council last year under the previous administration, but this year it has not received anything and has to rely on other sponsors.

Fall in unemployment

Slovak crown continues rise

Extradition of mob boss Černák may take months

THE EXTRADITION of alleged Slovak underworld boss Mikuláš Černák may take several weeks or months, Czech justice minister Pavel Rychetský said April 17 during an official visit to Slovakia.He assured his Slovak counterpart, Daniel Lipšic, that all standard legal procedural arrangements have been met on the matter, and underscored that so far, an extradition request by the Czech or Slovak justice minister has never been rejected.Rychetský refused to confirm whether Černák had asked for asylum after being recently detained in Prague, because international agreements do not require such information to be provided. But if Černák had request asylum, or planned to use other legal options in the Czech Republic, his extradition could be delayed, the minister said.

All aboard the EU

DESPITE the fact that the largest round of EU expansion is still a year away, Slovak representatives are already voicing their support for further enlargement and European integration.At a summit of 40 European leaders in Athens on April 16, the heads of state of 10 EU candidate countries, including Slovakia, signed EU accession treaties. If all current members and candidate countries approve their accession, the new members will accede to the union on May 1, 2004."Just as others displayed solidarity with us throughout the years, it is time for us to show solidarity with other countries that desire to join a similar world to the one Slovakia is joining now," Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda told the press on April 18.

Oldest profession is risky business in Slovakia

IMPROPER legal regulation of street prostitution in Slovakia puts both prostitutes and inhabitants of areas where they work at risk - and the authorities seem to be doing little to improve the situation, say experts and Bratislava residents. 

Cinderella for adults

KNOWN and loved by children and adults all over the world for centuries, the story of Cinderella lives on - and not just in books. Many librettists and composers have incorporated the story into their works, in their own ways, often causing sensations.Slovak stage director Jozef Bednárik is no exception. His Cinderella, which appeared on the Slovak opera stage March 7, immediately caused some controversy.No wonder. The director set the ancient fairy tale in modern surroundings where brave knights are riding fitness machines, beautiful maidens are wearing sporty, sexy outfits, and the most powerful magician is sipping Coca-Cola. Serious and critically minded? Please abstain - this production is strictly for those who have a sense of humour and playfulness.