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Home / Archive / Newsletter - Winter 2004
FOS Newsletter SLOVAKIA IN 2003by Sharon FisherSlovakia made considerable progress in economic and foreign policy in 2003, but the year was disappointing politically. The most important event was the referendum on membership in the European Union (EU), held on May 16-17. It was Slovakia's first successful referendum, as all previous ones had failed to attract the required 50% turnout. With a 52.2% participation rate, that quorum was just barely achieved in the EU accession vote, as politicians from across the political spectrum showed unprecedented unity in urging voters to take part. Those Slovaks who did vote gave a resounding "yes" to membership, with 92.5% in favor. While the turnout was the second lowest of the 10 countries that are acceding to the EU on May 1, the "yes" vote was the highest. In the economic policy arena, the government won kudos abroad for supporting wide-ranging fiscal reforms aimed at ensuring competitiveness and gradually bringing down the budget deficit, with the goal of meeting the Maastricht criteria for entry to the Eurozone by 2006. The parliament approved the introduction of a flat income tax for individuals and corporations from January 1, 2004, as well as a unified value-added tax (VAT) rate, all at 19%. Moreover, the legislature backed major reforms of the pension, social welfare, and healthcare systems. The government's progressive approach to economic policy made Slovakia an attractive destination for foreign investors, as demonstrated by the January 2003 decision by PSA Peugeot to build a factory in the town of Trnava. At the end of the year, Slovakia was short-listed as a candidate for a Hyundai automobile plant. Although GDP growth decelerated somewhat last year as tax and regulated price hikes that were launched in January contributed to a slowdown in domestic demand, Slovakia remained the fastest-growing economy in Central Europe. GDP growth was driven by surging exports, which boosted industrial sales and contributed to a significant drop in the unemployment rate. Soaring exports also spurred a spectacular improvement in Slovakia's current account deficit. The situation was less rosy politically due to internal disputes within and among the ruling parties. That was despite the promising outlook following the September 2002 parliamentary elections, when four center-right parties had won 78 seats in the 150-member parliament. While the government parties easily agreed on economic policy, the conservative Christian Democrats (KDH) and the liberal Alliance of the New Citizen (ANO) were at odds over social policy, particularly on the issue of abortion. Moreover, conflicts within both ANO and Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda's party, the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), led to changes in the government line-up, with the dismissal of two ministers and the head of the National Security Office. The replacement of Defense Minister Ivan Šimko was particularly shocking to observers since he had been a close ally of Dzurinda's and a key figure within the SDKÚ. In the autumn, the ruling coalition lost its parliamentary majority after a number of deputies left ANO and the SDKÚ. Nonetheless, the government remained intact, as the rebel deputies continued to back the cabinet in key parliamentary votes. While left-leaning President Rudolf Schuster expressed concern over the potential negative social effects of the government's fiscal reforms, his vetoes were repeatedly overridden. Trade unions and the political opposition made their own attempts to hamper the cabinet's performance: in November they launched a petition drive aimed at calling early parliamentary elections. The required number of signatures was easily collected before the end of 2003, meaning that the referendum is expected to take place in the first part of 2004. Although the referendum is widely expected to fail due to insufficient turnout, the government's position remains somewhat precarious, detracting from an otherwise successful year. Sharon Fisher is a valued member of Friends of Slovakia and is Senior Economist at Global Insight here in Washington. She has written extensively on Central Europe, including Slovakia, for the last decade. The views expressed in this summary are her own.
FOS to Sponsor Slovak Library
FOS is working with the Slovak Embassy to establish and provide annual contributions to a FOS Library of Slovak Literature at the Slovak Embassy. The Library will likely be established in 2004, and will include numerous recent works of Slovak literature (in the Slovak language). Each year, the contributions will focus on a particular Slovak publisher, with several dozen additions anticipated annually. The collection will be available for loan to interested parties. Further information will be provided once the Slovak Library is finalized.
FOS Sponsors California Tour of Bratislava Boys Choir
In the summer of 2003, Friends of Slovakia provided support to the renowned Bratislava Boys Choir for a series of events in Northern and Southern California. Beginning with a presentation at the opening of an exhibit by Slovak graphic artist Miroslav Cipár at the Continental Club in San Fransisco, the Choir went on to take part at the "Master Class" level of the international Pueri Cantores Congress, representing Slovakia among the very best boys choirs from around the world. The tour next took them to a concert performance in Stockton and a number of engagements in Los Angeles. Choir Director Magdaléna Rovnanská wrote afterward that the Choir was honored to represent Slovakia and to share Slovakia's musical gifts with people all over California and thanks all supporters of FOS for making their trip possible.
Slovak Young Artist Receives FOS/Weiser Scholarship to Washington Festival
Twelve-year old Slovak artist Natália Hoosová from Bratislava represented Slovakia at the 2003 International Child Art Foundation (ICAF) Festival in Washington, DC, with FOS support from funds provided by Ambassador Ronald and Mrs. Eileen Weiser. This festival, held every four years, selects only one participant from each country, and the ICAF board this year chose Natália for her exceptional skills in watercolors. During her time in Washington, Natália and other young people exhibited their work on the Washington Mall, and had the oppotunity to meet District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams. FOS is please to be able to work with the Weisers to help present the work of Slovakia's young artists in Washington.
FOS-Sponsored CSIS Roundtable on Slovakia
On January 15, 2004, FOS sponsored the fifth in its series of Roundtables on Slovakia held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The Roundtable was sponsored in cooperation with the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA). The distinguished speakers included State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ivan Korcok, Ambassador Rastislav Kácer and SFPA Senior Research Fellow, Ivo Samson. The meeting was co-chaired by Janusz Bugajski, Director of the CSIS East Europe Project and FOS Founding Chairman, Ambassador Ted Russell. A capacity audience of representatives from Slovak-American organizations, the Federal Government, international companies doing business in Slovakia, non-governmental organizations, Washington think tanks and the press had a two hour opportunity to hear and question the speakers. CSIS will publish the results of the Roundtable on its website at csis.org/ee and the friendsofslovakia.org website will also link to CSIS Slovakia Roundtable proceedings since 2001. The speakers emphasized the progress Slovakia has made in difficult economic reforms getting the country ready to join the EU, the social and political consequences of some of these reforms, the impact of impending EU membership, European defense and foreign policy initiatives and the importance of a better trans-Atlantic dialogue. In answer to a question about how FOS and other Slovak-American friendship organizations could improve the US-Slovak dialogue, State Secretary Korcok praised the efforts of CSIS and Friends of Slovakia in promoting the Slovakia Roundtable series and urged that similar efforts continue.
2003 FOS Wall of Honor Unveiled
On September 9, 2003, the Friends of Slovakia unveiled its third annual collection of inductees to be added to its Wall of Honor. Slovak Ambassador Kácer presided over the ceremony during the Embassy's annual Constitution Day celebration, along with the August 68 photo exhibit opening. The Embassy was packed with celebrants to honor important moments in U.S. and Slovak history. Since Slovakia opened its Embassy in 2001, one of the most notable and popular features has been the Friends of Slovakia Wall of Honor. Located alongside the Embassy's beautiful back patio, the Wall provides a prominent place for individuals, companies and organizations to be permanently recognized for their commitment to the goals of FOS - the promotion of political, economic and cultural relations between the United States and Slovakia. Many donors chose the wall as a fitting site to honor their ancestry, heritage or interest in Slovakia with a bronze plaque. 2003 inductees on the Friends of Slovakia Wall of Honor include the following members of the 2003 group plaque: Jana & David Frankel, Bill & Ann Gardner, A. Gocalova - Považská Bystrica, Earl & Rosemary Hanlon, Margaret Vantusko Harvan, Dr. George & Blanka Krizek, Theodore R. Lukac/Lucas Family, Richard & Joanne Marko, Martin & Rose Medved, MUDr. Ludvík and Elena Nábelek, John & Mary Chupik Pinko, Dylan and Taylor Reffe, Paul Rusnak, Dr. Emese & Remo Savoia-Keleti, Jozef Vavro, Sandra & Ron Weintraub, Foley Hoag LLP, GAMO a.s., Matador a.s., Slovak American Charitable Association, Slovnaft, and the Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society. Individuals and organizations inducted with individual plaques include: Accenture, Procesná Automatizácia a.s. Košice, SAP, Wachovia Bank, Ingrid Kimianova Aielli, Lenka & Jan Surotchak, Myra Hatala, Karen McClure, National Bank of Slovakia, Ann E. W. Stone, Alyson & Peter Mužila, Zora and Martin Bútora, Hewlett-Packard Slovakia, s.r.o., Meta Weiser, Ambassador & Mrs. Ronald Weiser, ECO-SERVICE, a.s., Gratex International, ZTS-Sabinov, Slovenské Telekomunikácie, Castor & Pollux, Eurotel, ING, Juraj Vaculik, and Whirlpool.
August 68 Photo Exhibit Travels Across U.S.
A photographic documentary commemorating the 35th anniversary of the invasion of the Warsaw Pact's armies to Czechoslovakia was on display at the Kolomon Sokol Gallery of the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C. from September 9 until September 30, 2003. Support for the exhibit's national tour as well as a special reception for Embassy opening on September 9, 2003 was held by the Friends of Slovakia. After leaving the Embassy, the exhibition went on display in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Cedar Rapids, Kansas City and Denver. Ladislav Bielik, a Slovak photojournalist, is responsible for these moving photographs of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, revealing the cruelty and agony of the occupation of Bratislava. Bielik's photograph of Emil Gallo on August 21, 1968, halting a tank for a few moments beyond a Bratislava bridge in a defiant gesture of despair, became the photograph of the year.
FOS Welcomes Ambassador Kácer
As noted in the Summer 2003 FOS newsletter, the Slovak Republic's new Ambassador was appointed this past summer. FOS hosted a lunch at the Army & Navy Club September 2, 2003 to introduce Ambassador Kacer to major FOS donors able to attend and members of the FOS Board of Directors and FOS Board of Advisors. In addition to members of the FOS Board of Directors attending, Ambassador Kácer was joined by Amb. Julian Niemczyk, Brooks and Olga McClure, Juraj and Julie Slavik, Zelmira Hatala and Charles Hauer, Ann Stone, John and Nina Holy, Dr. and Mrs. Larry Hinterbuchner, Andrew and Anna Elias, Elizabeth Guran, Frank and Edith Lysy, John Miller, Paul Reichler, Archie Casey, John Rehak and Thomas and Geraldine Hricik. Ambassador Kácer described to the group his plans as the new Slovak Ambassador in Washington to maintain and strengthen close Slovak-US ties now that Slovakia has secured its invitation to join NATO and will soon become a member of the European Union. He warmly welcomed the work of FOS and other Slovak-American friendship and fraternal organizations in strengthening US-Slovak understanding and cooperation.
FOS Book Party and Reception
On October 7, 2003, the Friends of Slovakia (FOS) hosted a book party and reception at the Slovak Embassy to introduce to the FOS community Dr. Zoltan G. Mesko and his book The Silent Conspiracy: A Communist Model of Political Cleansing at the Slovak University in Bratislava after WWII (published in the United States by East European Monographs, Boulder, Colorado and distributed by Columbia University Press earlier this year). The Silent Conspiracy, first published in Slovakia in 1999, recounts the dire effects of Communism on the medical profession in Slovakia. The book party was attended by several dozen interested members of the FOS community, who had the opportunity to purchase The Silent Conspiracy and receive autographs from Dr. Mesko. Following the reception, in recognition of Dr. Mesko's contributions as an FOS member and to further spread his work, FOS donated 33 copies to various Slovak fraternal organizations throughout the country. Dr. Mesko, a Slovak medical doctor originally from Košice, graduated from the Medical School at the J. A. Comenius University in Bratislava in 1952 and has worked at hospitals in Slovakia, West Germany, and the United States. During his time in the United States, Dr. Mesko remained a proud Slovak and was active in the Slovak-American Cultural Center. Following the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia, Dr. Mesko initiated the establishment of the "Heart to Heart Foundation" for children suffering from heart disease in Slovakia, and Mesko assisted in establishing the first Children's Heart Center in Slovakia. Dr. Mesko is a member of the Friends of Slovakia and lives in southern France most of the year. FOS would like to thank Dr. Zoltan Mesko and the following individuals for their contributions to the Mesko book party and reception: Prof. Gregor Lazarcik; Dr. Larry Hinterbuchner; Juraj Kubis; Frank Lysy; Vereb & Vereb MDs in Pennsylvania; Slovak Society of Washington; Joe Senko; and Slovak Embassy staff members, particularly Igor Otcenas.
Czech President Vaclav Klaus Visits Washington
On Wednesday, November 19, 2003 Czech President Vaclav Klaus, on his first visit to Washington since taking office, delivered the fourth annual Gibian Freedom Lecture at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars to a capacity crowd. The lecture was co-sponsored by the American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFoCR), the Friends of Slovakia, the Czech Embassy and the Slovak Embassy. President Klaus was introduced by Czech Ambassador Martin Palouš and Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Kácer and gave a thoughtful address in defense of liberty and the need, when challenged, to continually re-affirm our commitment to freedom and democracy. Phil Kasik, President of AFoCR presented President Klaus with the Freedom Bowl, and Bill Tucker, FOS Vice Chairman, presented the President with a plaque in gratitude for the President's commitment to maintaining the shared ideals of freedom and democracy on which modern societies are based. Sharon Wolchik, Member of the FOS Board of Directors, and Amb. Julian M. Niemczyk, Member of the FOS Board of Advisors, also attended the event. The lecture was followed by a reception in honor of President Klaus.
Slovak Embassy Staff Work Closely With FOS
Friends of Slovakia has a close and friendly working relationship with the able diplomatic staff of the Slovak Embassy in Washington. We want to introduce our readers to four arrivals in 2003 with whom, in addition to Ambassador Kácer, FOS is closely cooperating.
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