81. Telegram From the Embassy in Czechoslovakia to the Department of State1

907. Subj: Husak and Bilateral Relations.

1.
Assume Dept pondering US attitude toward Husak-for-Dubcek change,2 particularly whether we should go forward with steps in bilateral relations (e.g. gold-claims proposal) which are now in the works.
2.
Although it is obviously too early for meaningful assessment, particularly since as of now we do not even have official announcement about makeup of new party leadership and since other changes in personnel and policy will probably emerge gradually, preliminary contribution to Departmentʼs thinking may be in order.
3.
Change is of course in party rather than government, but seems little doubt that Husak will attempt to call tune in all policy questions, including foreign relations, to greater extent than did Dubcek. Husak regime may be considerably more prickly for US to deal with; his public remarks frequently are larded with references to hostile Western forces. Demonstrative delay in going forward with steps which Czechs are expecting could get US off on wrong foot with new leader who we gather is emotional and has nationalistic inclinations and apparently is already equipped with somewhat jaundiced view of US. This would be undesirable if it turns out that country as whole goes along with Husak as best bet under circumstances.
4.
On other hand, if country were to be swept by strikes or other forms of active or passive resistance to Husakʼs accession to power or to measures he may take (an eventuality which we think unlikely but not impossible), we presumably would not wish to appear to be underwriting him by going ahead with steps which we had refused to take throughout the Dubcek era.
5.
Therefore if Department is preparing to present gold-claims proposal early next week we would suggest brief postponement (preferably attributed to problems on our side if explanation necessary) avoiding impression that any delay is related to political changes in CSSR.
6.
Although relationship between Soviet pressure and yesterdayʼs change is obvious and will undoubtedly be stressed in US press, believe any official comment on nature of Husak leadership should be avoided at least for time being.
Baker
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 15 CZECH. Confidential; Immediate.
  2. On April 17 reform Communist leader Alexander Dubcek was ousted and replaced by the more conservative Gustav Husak.