PM says he considers ÄŒunek case closed
Prime Minister Topolánek has said further investigation into Deputy Prime Minister Jiřà Čunek’s personal finances is meaningless.
The prime minister was referring to the incomplete audit performed by the US investigation agency Kroll at the request of Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. The audit was meant to exonerate Mr. ÄŒunek but although it ruled out that he had taken a bribe it could not rule out other financial irregularities in his personal finances. While Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg wants to continue with the investigation the prime minister argued that drawing-out the painful ÄŒunek saga and covering the same ground repeatedly was meaningless.
Kroll investigator says missing pages not decisive
Meanwhile, Kroll investigator Tommy Helsby told the CTK on Wednesday that the contents of the missing 700 pages from the close to 5,000-page police report were highly unlikely to influence the overall conclusions of the ÄŒunek audit. The report says that while there is no evidence to suggest that Mr. ÄŒunek had taken bribes, he received high rewards for lobbying, paid out per day which is not subject to taxation, and which would explain the striking difference between his official income and the large sums of money deposited on his various bank accounts.
Finance Minister Kalousek angered by Kroll report
This part of the Kroll report has angered Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek since it suggests that Mr. ÄŒunek successfully lobbied for a VsetÃn armament company at the time when Mr. Kalousek was defense minister. Minister Kalousek categorically rejected the idea that he or any of his subordinates had negotiated with Jiřà Čunek at the time and ruled out that Mr. ÄŒunek had been in a position to influence any armament contract or obtain sensitive information on the subject. The finance minister said he was considering legal steps against the Kroll detective agency.
State attorney drops criminal proceedings against Kula
The state attorney has dropped criminal proceedings against the head of the Prison Service Luděk Kula, on the grounds of insufficient evidence. Kula was accused of breach of trust and mismanagement of state funds in connection with an order for mobile telephone jamming systems in prisons, as a result of which the state lost out on twenty million crowns. Kula says there was no ill-intent on his part and that he had simply been poorly advised on financial matters.
President announces date of local and Senate elections
Local and Senate elections in the Czech Republic are to take place on October 17 -18th, the President’s Office announced on Wednesday. Candidates to both regional assemblies and the upper house of parliament must submit their candidacies by August 12th. Local elections will take place in all 13 regions. In the Senate, one third of the 81 mandates will be contested. Under the election law, the president must declare the elections 90 days ahead of the scheduled date.
Milan Andreas set to miss the Olympics due to positive marihuana test
Czech archer Milan Andreas has tested positive for marijuana and is set to miss the Beijing Olympics, the Czech Olympic Committee told the CTK news agency on Tuesday. The 19-year-old said he had taken marijuana in September last year without a thought for the consequences. He said he was bitterly disappointed to have to miss the Olympics which should have been the height of his career.
Pilot killed in ultra-light plane crash
An ultra-light plane crashed in a filed near the town of Hradec Králové on Wednesday, bursting into flames upon impact. The pilot died in the wreckage. It is not clear what caused the accident.
Senate to debate change to the election law
The Senate is to start debating a constitutional change to the election law which would open the way to direct presidential elections. There is general agreement across the board that this should be done but there is still controversy over whether the president’s mandate should be broader once the head of state is elected by the people. Several amendments are being proposed. Opinion surveys indicate that the majority of Czechs want to elect their president in a direct vote. However making the change will not be easy. All constitutional changes must be approved by three fifth of deputies in the lower house and three fifth of senators.
COC unveils Czech team for Beijing Olympics
The Czech Olympic Committee on Wednesday announced a squad of 130 athletes for next month's Beijing Olympics where they are hoping to equal the eight medals won in Athens and Sydney. Top medal hopes include gold medal winner from Athens, decathlete Roman Sebrle, and world javelin champion Barbora Spotakova. New names can still be added to the list ahead of the July 22 deadline.
Weather
The next few days should bring partly cloudy skies with scatted showers and day temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.
(radio-Prague)
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