867N.01/12–848: Telegram
The Chargé in Czechoslovakia (Penfield) to the Acting Secretary of State.
1812. Information received subsequent to Embtel 1683, November 4 and reported in Embassy’s A–828 Nov. 12, A–838, November 17 and A–905, December 7,1 provides convincing confirmation that Czechoslovakia is for time being at least radically restricting its aid to Israel (Deptel 1557, December 22) and that Czech policy toward Israel has recently become deliberately and markedly less friendly. Although Embassy does not have information to permit evaluation Soviet and other satellite policy toward Israel, we would assume on general grounds that this change is at Moscow orders and reflects new turn in over-all Soviet policy.
On other hand following plausible case can be made that change is based on much more limited considerations. Ministry Interior is reliably reported to have taken lead in opposing continuation of program and character of trainees indicates it has good reason to regard them as poor political and security risks. Embassy’s informants’ state that attempt was made to educate trainees in Communism and recent inspection of pilots by Red Army officers consisted principally of political examinations but that program has completely failed to create indoctrinated cadre for Israel Army. Assuming that this was one of basic purposes of program, it is not unreasonable further to assume that Soviets have decided to give up attempt at least for time being on theory that far from creating fifth column they may actually be training an army of potential enemies.
Pouched Warsaw, Bratislava.