Czech politician questions case after meeting orchid smugglers for a beer

By PATRICK GOWER

The Czech Republic's Deputy Prime Minister drank beer with two prominent Czech citizens who admit stealing New Zealand orchids, then raised questions about their case a few hours later over dinner with Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff.

Cyril Svoboda raised the case with Mr Goff at the Hilton Auckland, shortly after drinking Pilseners with the two men in a Puhoi hall.

Czech media reports of the talks suggested Mr Svoboda offered a grant to New Zealand's environment protection operation on behalf of the two men that was turned down.

The Czech Government says Mr Svoboda's comments to Mr Goff were just witty remarks amid small-talk. Mr Goff said it would have no influence on the court case.

Cardiologist and university professor Cestmir Cihalik, 54, and Jindrich Smitak, 60, an environmental agency inspector, have both pleaded guilty to trading in threatened native orchids.

They will be sentenced this month and face possible imprisonment, a fine in excess of $50,000, or both.

The case has been widely reported in the Czech Republic as a misunderstanding.

The pair were caught with about 40 orchid plants each on January 18 as they were about to leave New Zealand.

At the time, Mr Svoboda was quoted in the Czech media as saying the case "is based on the fact that in New Zealand it is impossible to export anything, not even dandelions".

Mr Svoboda arrived for an official visit on February 5, just hours after the men admitted their crimes in the nearby Manukau District Court.

He met them later at a function in Puhoi, 15km south of Warkworth, which was settled 150 years ago by immigrants from Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. His contribution included a keg of Pilsener beer.

Cihalik and Smitak, who spoke to the Herald through an interpreter, said it was a chance meeting.

"We did not hope for anything," Cihalik said.

He said a member of Mr Svoboda's 25-strong delegation later called them and said their case had been raised with Mr Goff.

They were told both ministers supported the independence of the New Zealand courts.

"So do we," Cihalik said. "We just want you to stop calling us thieves and smugglers. We are Czech botanists."

In Czech media coverage of the visit, Mr Svoboda is said to have discussed "this business of the orchids" with Mr Goff.

The Czech Ambassador to NZ, Josef Sladek, who is based in Canberra and accompanied Mr Svoboda here, said the orchid case only came up amid "kindly discussion" between the two ministers.

Mr Sladek said there was no truth to Czech media reports that Mr Svoboda offered a grant.

Mr Goff said Mr Svoboda had fully understood that he (Goff) could not comment on or influence the judiciary in New Zealand, "and that was the beginning and end of it really".

"I just have no idea at all where this talk of a donation has come from. It would not have been appropriate, and wasn't raised."

Cihalik and Smitak have indicated they will seek a discharge without conviction when they come up for sentencing on February 27. As well as the charge of trading in an endangered species, Smitak also faces charges of removing plants from national parks without authority.

The maximum penalty for these offences is three months' jail and/or a $2500 fine.

The Department of Conservation plans to oppose any discharge bid.