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Slovak TV coup had deep rootsBy Miroslav Beblavy In a coup-like raid on Aug. 18, more than 20 armed men from a private security service invaded the Bratislava offices of Slovakia's most popular private television station, TV Markiza. Four men burst into the office of Pavol Rusko, the station's general director and co-owner. "They disconnected my phone, pushed me into a room and announced it," said Rusko. "It" turned out to be an injunction issued the previous day by the Bratislava Regional Court forbidding Rusko to execute any of his rights as legal representative of Markiza. The bearer of the bad tidings was Marian Kocner, co-owner of Gamatex, the company that had hired the security guards and had quietly bought out Rusko's share of the station. The court order effectively stripped Rusko of his ownership rights. In the tumultuous days that followed, the Slovak media was rife with speculation that the TV coup had been politically motivated. But as the story unfolded, it became clear that the abrupt takeover had its roots in a long-term conflict between two of Markiza's owners, and had more to do with unpaid debts than pre-election politics. According to the court decision on Aug. 14, Gamatex bought all of Markiza Slovakia for a mere 232,000 Sk ($7,000). These changes also made Gamatex owner of 51 percent of STS, the company that owns TV Markiza. The other 49 percent is owned by Central European Media Enterprises (CME) which is also the principal owner of the Czech Republic's TV Nova. Markiza Slovakia itself was owned by two people -- Rusko and Sylvia Volzova -- who each owned 50 percent until the announcement. Whatever the new ownership structure, on Aug. 18 Rusko was still a legal statutory representative of both STS and Markiza Slovakia, even after the sale. Thus, the injunction sought by Gamatex was necessary to stop Rusko from acting on behalf of the two companies until he could be recalled. CME, the minority partner in STS, termed Kocner's actions "a use of violence," and expressed "full support for Pavol Rusko." Rusko, facing what he called "a situation that could lead to shooting," left for Prague immediately after the coup to consult with CME management and owners. Meanwhile, his former business partner, Sylvia Volzova, stayed on at TV Markiza. During a press conference organized after the takeover, she stated that she and Rusko would appeal the injunction and that Rusko had requested she manage the station in his absence. But Rusko would have none of this. "[The sale] was done without my knowledge, using an executive order based on a debt acknowledged by Ms. Volzova, who was absolutely without authority to do so," he said, touching off speculation about her relationship with Gamatex. Volzova herself told Radio Twist that "I have nothing to do with Gamatex." Nonetheless, according to several TV Markiza reporters, Kocner himself had visited the Markiza newsroom and said that all the evening news programs would have to be approved by Volzova. The newsroom was preparing to rebel when Rusko himself called shortly before the evening news to say that the news broadcast that night would include only statements issued by Volzova and himself. On Aug. 19, Rusko and CME Prague's Martin Radvan came to Bratislava. At 3:30 p.m., they announced with Kocner that they had agreed to disagree. In a new atmosphere of indulgence and compromise, Kocner said: "We merely came to look at our property and make sure nothing ... got lost." While Kocner continued to consider himself the legal owner of Markiza Slovakia, Rusko announced he would appeal the court decision. But both said they would try to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. Meanwhile, Rusko and Kocner explained, until the situation is resolved, Rusko would remain general director, and Gamatex would withdraw from the building. According to a source close to the situation, "Rusko knew he had a problem from the very beginning. He had only one opportunity -- to borrow from CME to pay off his obligations. He always refused a CME loan, since that would take away his independence." But, as the source continued, "now he doesn't have a choice. If Gamatex does not demand too high a price, Rusko is going to pay with a CME loan." The source explained that Rusko's own stubbornness had let the situation escalate. "Rusko is a man to lead a cavalry charge against tanks," he said.
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