Czech President in Dispute With University Rectors

The organization representing rectors of Czech public universities says most members intend to boycott a ceremony at the Prague Castle because of President Milos Zeman's decision not to invite two of them.

Ivo Medek, deputy head of the Czech Rectors Conference, said Friday that the situation might change if Zeman gives a proper explanation.

The presidential office declined to explain Zeman's reasons. But the two had recent conflicts with the controversy-prone president.

One didn't allow him to give a lecture ahead the parliamentary election while the other criticized Zeman's refusal to grant a university professorship to one of his critics because he is a gay rights activist.

The Oct. 28 ceremony marks the creation of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918.