17. Telegram From the Embassy in Czechoslovakia to the Department of State0
372. Made initial call of one hour on Foreign Minister David December 29, accompanied by Fleischer.1
After brief small talk, David went into substance, describing state of relations in standard terms. He made no mention of Budway or other U.S. citizens detained in CSSR.2 He seemed surprisingly well informed [Page 33] on detail and tone throughout was correct, with implications of cordiality no doubt customary on such occasions and not necessarily having real significance.
He said there had been some improvement in relations during 1962, citing somewhat increased expansion cultural and scientific exchanges and, with specific respect to trade, cited approvingly U.S. participation for first time in Brno fair this past year, which could lead to constructive results.
David dwelt at some length on negotiations to conclude property and financial agreement. Recalled these been underway since 1955; each of my predecessors had expressed hope upon arrival that they could be concluded and agreement signed. He referred specifically to signing of “principles” year ago; progress had been made subsequently but none recently. Stated only few matters unresolved and expressed belief that with goodwill they could be resolved. Indicated such resolution and conclusion of agreement highly desirable and “could be big help” in achieving improvement general relations.
David went into considerable detail in discussing cultural exchanges past year which he said was marked by “certain improvements”. Cited specifically U.S. participation Karlovy Vary Film Festival and Czech participation San Francisco Film Festival.
Without mentioning specific case, David said there had also been exchange of artists. (He indicated number of U.S. artists had performed Czechoslovakia although we know only of Loren Maazel during 1962.) David also said “agreement had been reached on post-graduate exchange.” (We will follow up to determine just what he referred to.) He also spoke of general scientific exchanges, including technical literature, and cited increased number invitations to U.S. to participate international scientific conferences in CSSR. David also stressed exchanges in field of sports, citing ice hockey and soccer, international figure skating competition, Czech parachutists to Boston and Dukla soccer team to U.S.
In general, he said, there have been some positive steps but relations still are not satisfactory. He advocated efforts to “liquidate outstanding problems and then especially to expand trade”. On trade, he said that U.S. unfortunately placed hindrances in way of expansion, e.g. through tariffs.
David concluded his presentation with general statement that CSSR desires good relations with all states, including USA. However, he said there must be certain prerequisites and declared that “if Ambassador wishes to contribute to achieve these, he will have our cooperation”. Only specific point he mentioned this connection was need for respect [Page 34] for normal precepts of intercourse between states, concept which I later reciprocated.
Responding, I expressed appreciation David raised business matters immediately, instead of confining first call to mere courtesies. My government and I personally fully shared desire see improvement relations but unfortunately there was important and serious problem which we should solve in order make progress possible. Referred to large number American citizens visiting CSSR annually, stating that for most part visits proceeded normally. We welcomed them because they helped contribute to increased general understanding between our peoples. However, unfortunately there had been cases in past and some presently where American citizens had violated CSSR law, or were said have violated it, including cases where such violation most likely innocent through lack knowledge law. Cited as specific current example case of Robert Roy Budway but added several other citizens presently in prison or detained, including Raymond Hareld.3 In latter case we not informed of his exact situation because we not been able see him, but we wished to do so.
I expressed appreciation for courteous and helpful assistance we received recently in Budway case from President of Pilsen Court and defense attorney. While we did not have all facts in case and had not formally been given statement of charges, from our understanding of facts it seemed that any violation of Czech law by Budway had not been serious, although he may been imprudent. He had been sentenced four years in prison and we understood he intended appeal sentence. We of course did not wish inject ourselves improperly on judicial side, but I hoped judicial processes would be completed quickly as possible and that they would result in reduction Budway’s sentence. I expressed hope it would be possible, if any sentence remained, that President Novotny—if he had power to do so, which I believed was case—would commute sentence to time already served. I hoped we could later discuss general question of difficulties encountered by Americans and find ways to minimize recurrences. I felt confident we could then make prog-ress in improvement general relations, although here I believed it would have to be in small steps in different fields, progressively leading to more significant changes. (I purposely made no comment on his initial reference to property and financial negotiations.)
Commenting on my statements on difficulties encountered by U.S. citizens visiting Czechoslovakia, and on Budway case in particular, David said Budway was serving his sentence now. He said he did not [Page 35] know status of appeal but, if he appealed, outcome would depend on Supreme Court. He added outcome would also depend on his behavior.
David then said, referring to my comment on problems of U.S. citizens having difficulty with law in CSSR, that “so far as it could influence U.S. citizens, it would be good if U.S. Government advised them to respect and observe laws of CSSR.” He clearly indicated desire have American (and other) tourists visit CSSR, stating CSSR wanted them inform themselves about country. If they came without hostility, they would have no difficulties. Speaking of American citizens in jail in CSSR, David twice said there had been number of instances in past of good will on Czech side in releasing Americans before sentence served out (this was presumably reference to Shaver and Zastera cases, but it was said with such emphasis that it may imply intention to commute Budway’s sentence when judicial processes completed). David added “it also is necessary that the other side show good will to improve relations.” (Note: This had been standard comment in similar circumstances in past, but he may have been implying that premature issuance of our threatened travel warning would complicate matters.)
After I presented usual copies of letters and note asking date be fixed for credentials, he said this would be 9:00 a.m. January 3.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.49/12–3162. Confidential; Priority.↩
- President Kennedy nominated Outerbridge Horsey as Ambassador to Czechoslovakia on November 14. Ambassador Wailes left post on October 22.↩
- Czech officials arrested Robert Roy Budway on charges of espionage on July 31 and held him incommunicado. The United States officially denied the spying charge and protested the denial to Budway of access to U.S. representatives. After Czechoslovakia failed to respond to a series of U.S. demarches, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs George C. McGhee called in Czech Ambassador Popov on November 26 and informed him that the United States would take a series of retaliatory measures, including suspension of economic talks, if the issue was not satisfactorily resolved within one month. (Memorandum from Davis to Bowles, December 3; Department of State, Central Files, 611.49/2–362) Budway was subsequently released.↩
- A U.S. Army deserter who sought asylum in Czechoslovakia on August 2.↩
- Horsey presented his credentials on January 3. He reported on his meeting with President Novotny in telegram 379, January 3. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.49/1–363)↩