Archive of articles - May 2004, page 15

Spectator's journalists receive awards

TWO articles written by journalists of The Slovak Spectator (TSS) received prizes at the 2nd Journalistic Competition Baroro - Kamienok 2003, organised by the Slovak Cabinet Appointee for Roma Communities, Klára Orgovánová, and the Open Society Foundation.

Reader feedback: What's the big deal?

The threats of EU entry

TERRORISM and the Iraqi crisis will have more influence on the course of developments in the world than anything else in the immediate future. Although both seem to have little relevance for everyday life in Slovakia and the country's position within the EU, the contrary is true.The prospect of a long-term military operation and the danger of terrorist attacks in Europe have brought a new agenda to the forefront of European politics - security. The EU has traditionally focused mainly on creating a strong common market, characterised by a high degree of cohesion.

Burglars haunt the Bojnice Castle

THE CASTLES in Slovakia have not yet fully opened their gates to visitors, but somebody has already stolen the rare historical altar by Tuscan painter Nardo di Cione from the Bojnice Castle.The recent theft woke up the ghost of the last owner of the castle, Ján František Pálffy, a keen art collector, who immediately started a search for the culprits. History's best detectives, including Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Miss Marple, were called to help. The theories for tracking down the burglars are multiplying. According to Count Pálffy's secretary, a reward has been offered to the one who solves the mystery.

New coalition rejected, reforms may lose edge

SLOVAKIA's minority cabinet will continue functioning in its current state, as PM Mikuláš Dzurinda plans to carry on winning votes in favour of the cabinet laws as he has done so far - through ad hoc agreements with independent MPs and those who left the ruling parties last year.On April 28 the Free Forum (SF) party, consisting of six former members of the PM's Slovak Democratic and Christian Union and a dissenter from the New Citizen's Alliance, proposed the creation of a new coalition joining the SF with the ruling Christian Democrats (KDH) and Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK).

Slovaks to sweep new Iraqi minefields

Gay mystery solved

Kýže slizHorkýže SlížePublished by: EMI Czech RepublicAvailable at: most record storesCost: Sk299Domased ElectronicaSelectionPublished by: Domased Electronica Available at: Nepal, Zámočnícka 11, BratislavaCost: Sk300

Slovak soldiers will stay in Iraq

Bratislava plagued by too many taxis

Intelligence law gains more support

Customs administration restructured

The man who will make them vote

"I AM extremely worried that the Slovak voter is weary from the different campaigns and I am concerned about low turnout," said Azelio Fulmini, head of the European Parliament Office in Slovakia, who is leading a campaign to prove predictions of weak voter participation wrong; The Slovak Spectator found out how.The Slovak Spectator (TSS): Political parties have not yet started any campaigns for elections to the European Parliament, though these are scheduled for June 13. Analysts assume that the campaigns will be minimal. Do you feel that the parties are underestimating the importance of these elections?

Slovakia's FDI at Sk337 billion in 2003

Rates low, interest high

DESPITE decreasing state subsidies for mortgage loan interest rates, people are still interested in taking this type of loan, as mortgages remain almost the only way to purchase a new flat or a house on the Slovak market. Banks and the Finance Ministry expect that legislative changes should bring another boom in mortgages."The Finance Ministry has simplified the legislation and taken steps to increase customer protection. The volume [of mortgage loans] and the number of clients show that interest in mortgage loans is huge.

Visegrad 4 celebrate in Quartet

THE GROUP of neighbouring countries that comprise the Visegrad Four (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) will come together to celebrate their entry to the European Union a few days after enlargement takes place.Within the cultural event Quartet, held in Slovakia's capital between May 7 and 12, each state will deliver a concert, screen a movie, and organise an exhibition. Significant political analysts from each country will discuss the V4's role in the EU.

Banská Bystrica jumps with jazz

THE NINTH year of the International Dixieland Festival in Banská Bystrica, which started on May 1, fittingly runs under the title Jazz Festival of a United Europe 2004."This year, we have prepared a project dedicated to the mutual entry of our [neighbouring] countries into the EU, during which four festivals - in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia - start on the same day, May 1. At the same time, we are symbolically joining with other European countries through the performing musicians," organiser Ingrid Hajdučková said.

Quote of the Week

Reader feedback: Just what golf needs

President to please all

PRESIDENT-elect Ivan Gašparovič has outlined his general plans for the office, which include participation in the formation of the country's foreign policy, acting as an arbiter on the domestic political scene, and encouraging the nation to make the best of its EU membership.At a press conference held on April 22, Gašparovič said that his aim in office was to "calm the political situation in Slovakia" and to ensure that abroad "Slovakia is seen and understood as a growing modern state.""I am convinced that by joining forces we can manage to build a modern European country.