Archive of articles - March 2004, page 3

Will terrorists strike in Slovakia?

FOLLOWING the events of 3/11 in Madrid and recent news that terrorists were allegedly planning to stage attacks in neighbouring Poland, it is reasonable to ask whether Slovakia too could become a target for Islamic extremists and what impact such an attack would have.The fundamental question is whether Islamic terrorists have a motive to attack the civilian population of the country.Traditionally, the actions of terrorist leaders, just as those of any political leaders, had to have double effect:

Hornex plans to double sales in 2004

CONSTRUCTION company Hornex Bratislava plans to boost its sales this year by 84 percent to Sk800 million (€19.7 million), while its profit is projected at Sk60 million (€1.48 million). "The company's strategy is to achieve an annual turnover between Sk1.5 billion (€37.01 million) and Sk2 billion (€49.34 million) within two years," Hornex general director Oto Hornáček told the SITA news wire.He added that the company's ambition is to penetrate the housing construction market at the turn of the years 2004 and 2005.The number of orders on the Slovak construction market has been increasing not only due to the tax reforms, but also due to the influx of EU funds.

Businesses demand thorough justice reform

US Steel dispute settled

THE LONG-STANDING steel overproduction dispute between the European Commission, the eastern Slovak steelmaker US Steel Košice (USSK), and the Slovak government has finally been resolved.Slovak Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen announced on March 19 that the parties had reached an agreement over the effective date to reduce the production of flat-rolled products at US Steel's Slovak subsidiary in Košice. The US corporation confirmed the announcement on the same day.

Film director Hollý dies

LEADING Slovak film and television director and screenwriter Martin Hollý, who made films in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, died on March 18 at the age of 72.Born in Košice, he debuted with Havrania cesta in 1962.

Finance Ministry sets its goals

Chemical and drug profits increase

Industry profit up 34 percent in 2003

Dzurinda's credibility suffers a new blow

THE SECRET group working against the interests of the intelligence service and the state is more a matter of fiction than fact, according to investigators. The results of that query are a part of what appears to be a partial reinvigoration of the skupinka, or group, affair.

Ex-MP found guilty of fraud

This tornado has a name

Tornádo LueNebeskí JazdciReleased by: Prví Veřejno PrávníPrice: Sk350Available: at most storesTHIS BAND has a way with names. A tornado is a very apt description of the incessant energy and bombast behind this album, and Nebeskí Jazdci (Heavenly Riders) is a good, literal description of what the album feels like when it grabs you and spins you off your feet.

Quote of the Week

Economy Minister unveils plan for SND

Around Slovakia

Apprentices bully fellow studentsPutting the D in delinquentDrunk climbs New Bridge, threatens to jumpFear thy neighbourPupils poisoned in school

Stock market grinds to a halt

FOR the first time ever, Slovakia's stock exchange market has faced paralysis. The freeze began on Monday, March 22 as a result of the transformation of the Securities Centre into the new Central Securities Depository (CDCP).On that day, the CDCP should have begun offering services, but out of over 500 issues, not a single security has been transferred on the BCPB Bratislava stock exchange, freezing the official share index SAX at the March 19 level of 180.6 points.

Taking your artistic order

STUDENTS of art departments opened an exhibition entitled Public Order at the capital's Pálffy Palace at Panská 19 on March 23. The display is part of a grant project for young curators initiated by the Bratislava City Gallery.The project aims to support future exhibition organisers, the students of university art departments, and to stimulate their interest in managing work at the gallery.

Jarunková nominated for Swedish award

SLOVAK writer Klára Jarunková was one of the candidates for The 2004 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, which was presented to Brazilian writer Lygia Bojuna on March 17.

Race off to a quiet start

ELEVEN men officially entered the presidential race on March 19, the day when the campaign for Slovakia's second direct elections started.For the first time in the history of such elections, candidates will be able to run ads in the private electronic media - not only on the public Slovak Radio and Slovak Television.The campaign will end 48 hours ahead of the vote on April 3.

Belgian Parts & Components to invest $30 Million in Slovakia