105. Telegram From the Embassy in Czechoslovakia to the Department of State and Multiple Diplomatic Posts1

2142. Subject: 10th Anniversary of Czechoslovak Invasion—Current Developments. Ref: Prague 1911.2

1. Summary: With the anniversary of 1968 Soviet intervention less than ten days away, the most prominent visible sign that Czechoslovaks are aware of it is in frequent references to 1968 events in regime propa[Page 310]ganda. Dissident activity appears to be confined to preparing statements for release and reviving underground cultural activities. End summary.

2. Activities of Charter 77 supporters. It still appears as if the main objective of human rights activists in marking the 10th anniversary will be issuance of declarations reaffirming fidelity to calls for greater freedom that distinguished the 1968 Dubcek regime. The declaration stemming from recent meeting of Charter 77 and Polish human rights activists near the CSSR-Polish border is a case in point (Prague 2096).3 But perhaps most interesting event this week has been commencement of so-called “living room theatre” production of the Shakespeare classic Macbeth, organized by playwright Pavel Kohout and starring Pavel Landovsky and Vlasta Chramostova—all of whom are denied the possibility of openly pursuing their professions as a result of identification with 1968 reforms and Charter 77. On August 7 and 8, “rehearsals” of the play took place in apartments of Charter supporters. Embassy P&C Admin. Secretary and wife of PAO attended first session; DCM and wife attended the second. In both cases, they were only non-Czechoslovaks invited. Kohout told DCM those involved in the play were trying to continue their professions in this way despite efforts of the regime to deny them work opportunities. Kohout added that there would be no more performances like these until after 10th anniversary. In September, he expects such living room performances to occur on a more or less regular basis. Meanwhile, as Embassy had expected (reftel) he and other Charter 77 proponents plan to depart Prague this week to remain in country homes until the end of the month.

3. Regime preparations. The Husak regime appears to be approaching the 10th anniversary with increased confidence of being able to cope with any contingency that may arise. Accent is on business as usual, with major attention at the moment to formal opening of new Prague metro lines on August 12. On the other hand, we hear security forces have been put on alert until the end of the month. Efforts are going forward to ensure that Charter 77 personalities will be generally dispersed on August 20–21. And MFA is tightening visa controls, particularly with regard to non-accredited foreign journalists, who will probably be few and far between here for remainder of August. Austrian DCM Karas say 3 Austrian correspondents have already been refused entry to cover the anniversary. NY Times correspondent Andelman, [Page 311] who is accredited here, has just arrived from Belgrade but has been instructed to return there until New York strike situation is clarified. Time magazine stringer Stichova tells us EE correspondent Aikman, also accredited here, is expected to be in Prague next week and may prepare a cover story on the anniversary.

4. Media coverage meanwhile focuses on campaign to denigrate all aspects of 1968 policies, except the January Central Committee Plenum (at which Dubcek replaced Novotny) and repeat shrill accusations against the main actors in Prague Spring. Rude Prova tends to concentrate currently on alleged damage to the economy which resulted in 1968–69 from the Sik reforms and to praise subsequent policy followed under the Husak regime, which has brought Czechoslovakia to its present supposedly enviable state of prosperity and stability. Weekly Party press has moved increasingly from attacks on pro-reform individuals and organizations to accusations that 1968 reforms were stimulated and supported by the West in hopes of breaking Czechoslovakia away from its allies; Herman Kahn, Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brezinski are cited as chief proponents of this strategy. These latter pieces are extended versions of noteworthy Yuri Zhukov commentary that appeared in Moscow Pravda and was reprinted here August 8, showing Soviet approval and probably close coordination of this line. Comment: While the regime takes its precautions, the Czech masses seem to be paying scant attention to the approaching anniversary. Prague’s Wencelas Square, most likely site for any protest manifestation, is thronged with tourists and shoppers, but so far reveals no sign of any special security precautions. In spite of rumors of recent explosions at Party buildings in Bratislava, neither we nor our NATO colleagues have been able to find any significant evidence to suggest that August 20–21 will pass other than quietly.4 We think our FRG colleague is probably correct in his expectation that the regime will formally greet the anniversary, but have no clue yet as to the precise form this will take.

Byrne
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780328–1038. Confidential. Sent Priority to the Department. Sent to Belgrade, East Berlin, Bonn, Bucharest, Budapest, London, Moscow, Paris, Rome, Sofia, Vienna, Warsaw, USNATO, West Berlin, USUN, and Beijing.
  2. Telegram 1911 from Prague, July 20, provided the Embassy’s assessment of the situation in Czechoslovakia on the evening of the tenth anniversary of the 1968 Soviet invasion. The Embassy concluded that no “great change in Czechoslovak domestic or foreign policy or in bilateral relations” can be expected “during the rest of this year.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780310–0616) A similar assessment was provided by the Central Intelligence Agency on August 17, in an Intelligence Memorandum entitled “Czechoslovakia Ten Years After.” (Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 80T00634A, Production Case Files (1978), Box 3, Folder 74, Czechoslovakia: Ten Years After)
  3. In telegram 2096 from Prague, August 8, the Embassy reported that members of Charter 77 and the Polish Committee of Workers’ Defense (KOR) drafted a statement on the ten-year anniversary of the Soviet invasion. The Embassy concluded that, while the document was primarily interesting as evidence of direct contacts between Charter 77 and KOR, it would “presumably cause security officials in both countries some additional heartburn.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780325–0650)
  4. In telegram 2256 from Prague, August 23, the Embassy reported that the anniversary passed without any significant event, describing the event as a “hard-liner affair.” Official propaganda, the Embassy reported, used the occasion “to politic against any sort of economic reform.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780345–1196) In telegram 2282 from Prague, August 25, the Embassy reported that it received information that “four students marked the anniversary of the invasion by placing a bouquet of flowers on the monument in Wenceslas Square and observing a moment of silence. The bouquet was promptly removed by police and the students’ identification cards were checked. This is the only such event on August 21 of which Morevec was aware.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780349–1036)