Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXXIV, Energy Diplomacy and Global Issues

106. Telegram From the Embassy in Austria to the Department of State¹

Vienna, August 21, 1968, 1604Z.

6091. Subject: Outer Space Conference. For IO/OIC and EUR.

1. Sov and EE intervention Czechoslovakia is major subject of corridor speculation at Outer Space Conf as of 1200 hours GMT today.² No indication that question will emerge on floor but corridor comment emphasizes sadness and anger over Sov actions. Italian del making private comment on Sov Intersputnik proposal: “So this is what they mean by ‘one-nation, one-vote’ procedure”.

2. Italian reception tonight (only national reception scheduled thus far) summarily cancelled by written notice “Because of invasion of Czechoslovakia”.

3. Czech occupation appears to have cut ground from under Sov discussion of Intersputnik. US approach to Sovs (State 222051)³ here on this matter at this time seems undesirable. Please instruct.⁴

MacArthur

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, SP 6 UN. Confidential; Priority.
2. On the night of August 20–21 Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia with 200,000 troops.
3. Dated August 15. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, SP 6 UN)
4. In telegram 225355 to Vienna, August 22, the Department wrote: “In view of events of the past twenty-four hours Department agrees it undesirable to seek out Soviets at this particular moment for bilateral discussions re INTELSAT/Intersputnik.” Loy canceled his plans to fly to Vienna. (Ibid.)