Archive of articles - November 2003

Ten percent connect to the internet

Slovakia unaffected by developments in Tbilisi

DESPITE the worldwide attention paid to the latest developments in Georgia, for the time being, it seems unlikely they will have much of a direct effect on Slovakia, according to experts.Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze stepped down on November 23, following popular protests against the validity of parliamentary elections held in the country earlier this month. Georgia's Supreme Court ruled on November 25 that the results of those elections were fabricated by pro-Shevardnadze forces, and annulled them.The civic movement that ousted the Georgian president from power is widely seen as a step towards greater democracy in Georgia, and some world media have termed it a 'velvet revolution', a name also used for the November 1989 anti-Communist revolt in the former Czechoslovakia.

Two candidates for EU commissioner

The art of definition is tricky

Art of LifeWhere: Panenská 31, BratislavaTel: 0904 290 037Open: Monday to Friday 8:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 11:00-22:00English menu: YesReservations: YesRating: 7 out of 10

An energy source of the past and future

THE SLOVAK government wants to support the production of energy from forest biomass. The state considers biomass to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than energy sources currently used.The Economy and Agriculture Ministries, which have prepared the proposal on the possibility of using forest biomass for energy purposes, also emphasize that the current exploitation of fossil fuels is increasing, which negatively influences the environment.

Candidate countries get a slap in the face from EU giants

THE FAILURE of European leaders to sanction Germany and France for their violations of fiscal discipline sends a clear message to the acceding countries set to join the EU in May 2004 - the big players of Europe only play by the rules when it serves their interests. New EU members should therefore work together to keep their influence in the future EU to the very minimum.

Courts blamed for chronic case delays

COURT delays remain the Slovak judiciary's most infamous problem. In some cases, courts fail to deliver verdicts even after the last-resort authority, the Constitutional Court (ÚS SR), has recognized citizens' complaints on excessively lengthy court proceedings.Ján Mazák, head of the ÚS SR, told journalists on November 24 that his court received 61 repeated complaints from parties that had waited in vain to see their verdicts issued.

Presidential address on December 9

Trade unions collect signatures

Problems with new district offices

Entrepreneurs hail business environment

Economic daily turns electronic

Around Slovakia

Trnava MPs call for law against graffitiDo the locomotiveDriver dies in crash with deerSet them freeDangerous adrenaline gamesOne kilo of explosives found in insurance firmThieves in cavesRegional TV director shoots documentary about himself

Roma folklore interpreted by non-Roma

THE PERFORMANCE of gypsy songs and dances by non-Roma is a trend that is becoming more and more common. The great interest in flamenco and the genre of ethno music in Slovakia and worldwide is one proof of this. Although authenticity will undoubtedly always be in demand, you no longer have to be an Andalusian Gypsy to learn to perform as a professional flamenco dancer.While the folklore of Spanish Roma is well known all over the world, much less explored are the songs and dances of the eastern European Roma.

Hanzel hopes attacks on prosecutors leave with him

THE TERM of Milan Hanzel, Slovakia's current Attorney General, will be up in January next year. The coalition has pledged to agree by Christmas on a replacement for Hanzel, who has decided not to run for re-election after serving five years in office. The Slovak Spectator met with Hanzel on November 25 to discuss the problems he has had to face as the country's top prosecutor.

Rusko wants new commission members

Swords that beheaded Bratislava citizens

THE SLOVAK National Museum (SNM) opened a unique exhibition of historical weapons titled Ad Honorem et Gloriam (For Honour and Glory) on November 27. Running at the Bratislava Castle until September 2005, the exhibition maps the military history of the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire over four hundred years, from the 16th to 19th century.

Hyundai to choose Slovakia or Poland

SLOVAKIA and Poland have been shortlisted as investment sites for South Korean carmaker Hyundai, which plans a new car assembly plant in central Europe. The $1.5 billion (€1.26 billion) investment could flow either to the central Slovak town of Žilina or to Radomsko in Poland.The carmaker is expected to pick the destination for its money in early 2004, according to the SITA news wire. Hyundai had also originally considered the Czech Republic and Hungary as potential sites.

Environment does not come cheap

PEOPLE in Slovakia do not tend to talk much about the environment outside of serious problems in the form of catastrophes or higher prices. However, the issue is becoming more urgent, as Slovakia must bring the state of its environment into harmony with EU standards. This will not happen overnight and the process will cost Slovakia over Sk188 billion (€4.6 billion), said Environment Minister Laszló Miklós in an interview with The Slovak Spectator.