Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on June 5

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BUSH IN PRAGUE

U.S. President George W. Bush visits the Czech Republic, which is the first stop on his eight-day trip to Europe.

Story: [nN04166012]

Bush is scheduled to meet his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and other officials. Details of the visit can be found at the Czech president's Web site www.hrad.cz.

Bush plans on Tuesday to hail democratic strides made by former communist nations like the Czech Republic, in a speech that may further inflame tensions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Story: [nN04484843]

Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-US-DIP]

LOWER HOUSE SESSION, FISCAL REFORMS

The senior party in the centre-right Czech government will put a controversial fiscal reform package before parliament on Wednesday and expects the bill to be approved in the first of three readings, a party official said.

Story: [nL04740919]

The lower house of parliament opens a session on Tuesday.

REBEL DEPUTY TO SUPPORT REFORMS

Rebel rightist deputy Vlastimil Tlusty, who briefly served as finance minister last year, was quoted as saying in the daily Pravo that he will support the government's reform proposal in the first out of three required readings. But he said he will seek changes in subsequent parliamentary talks.

WAGE GROWTH QUICKENS

Real average wages rose 6.2 percent year-on-year in January-March, their fastest pace in 3 years and highlighting a rise in consumer spending power, which analysts say may help stoke inflationary pressures.

Instant View of data: [nL04208105]

Table: [nPRA001325]

Real-time economic indicators.....................

Previous stories on Czech data............[CZ-RTRS-LEN-ECI]

Overview of economic data and forecasts.........

NEW WORLD RESOURCES PLANS IPO

New World Resources (NWR), the parent company of a Czech mining group, would like to launch an initial public offering in London and Prague this autumn, its owner said.

Story: [nL04770176]

Related news: [RTRS-LEN-CZ-IPO]

For Instant Views of key economic data click on [CZ/INSTANT] For summary of economic data and forecasts For diary of forthcoming Czech events [CZ/DIARY] For calendar of east European economic indicators [CONV/DIARY] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST]

For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United States and other Group of Seven countries see

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX

News editor of the day: Alan Crosby on +420 224 190 477; fax: +420 224 229 935

E-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com

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