CZECH REPUBLIC: TEN MILLION CZECH CITIZEN HAVE BEEN PREPARING TO VOTE IN A REFERENDUM ON WHETHER TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Record ID: 648558

  • Title: CZECH REPUBLIC: TEN MILLION CZECH CITIZEN HAVE BEEN PREPARING TO VOTE IN A REFERENDUM ON WHETHER TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION
  • Date: 10th June 2003
  • Summary: (EU) PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, (JUNE 10, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV PRAGUE CASTLE WITH VLTAVA RIVER 0.05 2. LV "YES" AND "NO" SIGNS WITH METRONOME ABOVE VLTAVA RIVER AND ABOVE MOTORWAY (2 SHOTS) 0.17 3. SLV OF MARKET IN PRAGUE (2 SHOTS) 0.25 4. MCU (Czech) WOMAN AT MARKET SAYING: "It is a subject for a long discussion, but basically - yes." 0.30 5. SV SCENE AT MARKET 0.36 6. MCU (Czech) YOUNG GIRL AT MARKET SAYING: "I think the Czech Republic is not yet ready for it..." 0.38 7. SLV STALLS AT MARKET (3 SHOTS) 0.49 8. MCU (Czech) MAN SAYING: "Lots of young people are waiting for it, but concerning the older generation, it is too late for them." 0.56 9. SV ENTRANCE TO GOVERNMENT BUILDING 1.00 10. MCU (English) MIROSLAV RANSDORF, COMMUNIST PARTY PARLIAMENTARY DEPUTY SAYING: "The prevailing opinion in the communist party of Bohemia and Moravia is that integration of Europe is a natural and necessary process, but present conditions are under big criticism in the framework of our party." 1.18 10. SLV OF PRESSER HELD BY, "YES FOR EUROPE" CAMPAIGN 1.25 11. MCU (English) MONIKA PAJEROVA, ORGANIZER OF "ANO PRO EVROPU" SAYING: "The experience of EU political, cultural and living standards is the last step, the Czech society must take in order to become really European..." 1.37 12. SV/SLV VARIOUS OF CONCERT SUPPORTING "YES" VOTE AT VENCESLAS SQUARE (4 SHOTS) 1.56 13. SV PEOPLE HANDING OUT POSTERS (2 SHOTS) 2.07 14. LAS (English) FORMER CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVELADRESSING CROWD, SAYING: "I would like to recommend that you say "yes" in the referendum for EU membership. This "yes" will mean "no" for the bad political and economic creatures here." 2.21 15. SV/LV PEOPLE CLAPPING/AUDIENCE (2 SHOTS) 2.38 16. LV PEOPLE, "YES" AND "NO" POSTERS, ZOOM OUT TO VLTAVA RIVER WITH BOAT 2.49 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
  • Reuters ID: LVA7EWMS6UL1I6X7UEEYEUTWTVZI
  • Story Text: Ten million Czech citizens have been preparing to vote
    in a referendum on whether to join the European Union.



    About 57 per cent of Czech voters are expected to take
    part in their country's referendum on joining the European
    Union. The referendum will take place on Friday (June 13) and
    Saturday (June 14).

    About seventy eight to eighty percent of voters are
    expected to say "yes" to becoming part of the EU.

    But not all Czechs have made up their minds and neither it
    seems, have their politicians.

    There are still those who believe joining Europe may be
    good in the long term, but the Czechs are not ready yet.

    Miroslav Ransdorf, the Parliamentary Deputy for the
    Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, says: "The integration
    of Europe is a natural and necessary process, but present
    conditions are under big criticism in the framework of our
    party."
    There is one organisation for whom the choice is clear.

    The "ANO PRO EVROPU", or "Yes For Europe" campaign is a
    group of former or present non-governmental politicians and
    academics.

    They have taken their message to thousands of people
    around the country over the past few months.

    Monika Pajerova, former diplomat and chairman of Ano pro
    Evropu says:
    "The experience of political, cultural and living
    standards is the last step the Czech society must take in
    order to become really European..."
    Ano pro Evropu also held a concert in the Venceslas
    Square. Musicians, well known and remembered for their
    performances in the square during the "Velvet Revolution" in
    1989, took part in this concert.

    Former dissident and one-time Czech President Vaclav
    Havel, gave a clear message to the crowd gathered there:
    "I would like to recommend you to vote yes in the
    referendum for EU membership," he said.

    The final results of the referendum should be known by
    Saturday afternoon.



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