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Music by musicians such as the Beatles, The Who, Bob Dylan, Hendrix and others moved a generation of Central Europeans to end oppression - according to Hungary's ambassador to the United States, Andras Simonyi. He told the Rock and Roll hall of fame in the US that as a fourteen year old in Budapest it was that kind of music, which drew his generation to the west and eventually helped end communism. Andras Simonyi - a rock guitarist as well as Hungary's ambassador in Washington - talks about how he got access to the music and what it meant.

For many West European tourists the countries of Central and Eastern Europe seem relatively cheap - especially when it comes to eating out. What many don't know is that it's even cheaper for the locals. Katerina Richterova reports.

The Slovene theatre director and author Tomaz Pandur is back home. Slovenia's prodigal son has found success in some of the worlds best theatres but many people are convinced that his 7 most creative years were in Slovenia at the beginning of the 90s. His latest play is called One hundred minutes and is based on Dostojevski's novel The Brothers Karamazof.

Six months before Poland becomes a member of the European Union the country has been taken to task for not measuring up to EU standards. The annual report of the European Commission, the EU's executive body, describes Poland as the worst prepared of the ten future members of the Union.

In Hungary the early onset of winter has already claimed 11 lives. Those most exposed to the elements and the hardships of the winter to come are of course the homeless. To help the many thousands of people without a roof over their head - telephone hotlines have been set up across the country. They are collecting reports on the whereabouts of the needy and send social workers where possible. Petra Hajdu reports.

Most foreign visitors associate the Czech capital with the city's 14th century architectural jewel - Charles Bridge. But a mile away is another, rather newer structure - the massive Nusle Bridge. Opened in 1973, it plays a crucial role in the capital's transport system: almost all north-south traffic flowing through Prague is carried across it. But as Radio Prague's Rob Cameron reports, the gargantuan bridge fell victim to Cold War politics, and unfortunately seems to have a hypnotic attraction for suicidal Czechs.

The European Commission's report on accession has messages for all of the candidate countries in Central Europe. Slovenia was assessed as the best prepared but the commission said inflation remains a concern. Hungary was told wage growth is exceeding productivity gains. Slovakia hasn't capped steel production in line with EU demands and the Commission says the Czech Republic must improve its food safety system. Katinka Barish, is chief economist at the Centre for European Reform in London.

In Poland women's reproductive rights are never far from the headlines. Now deputies of the ruling SLD party of social democrats are proposing to liberalize the strict anti-abortion law. They want a return to abortions on demand up to the 12th week of pregnancy if a woman can prove she is in a difficult family or financial situation. Existing legislation allows abortion only in cases of irreparable damage to the unborn child, when the life or health of the mother is in danger or when pregnancy results from rape. But Polish women are sceptical about

Slovenian Radio and Television are celebrating 75 years of radio and 40 years of television. During these years the broadcaster became an integral part of Slovenia's media landscape. But now public broadcasting in Slovenia faces challenges.

In Slovakia women sacrifice much if they want a highflying job. And the wage difference between men and women in the same position can be as much as 23% in favour of men. Some of the worst discrimination is in the banking sector