Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

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

Prague, April 24, 1969, 1600Z.

976. Pass White House. Subj: Démarche on Statement About Czechoslovakia.

1. Acting Chief of Western Hemisphere Dept of MFA, Ambassador Hokes, summoned me to MFA this morning and stated that he regretted our meeting took place in circumstances which he would outline but that he been instructed to convey to me following:

2. Czechoslovak Govt regretted statement on Czechoslovakia made by President Nixon at his April 18 press conference² and felt that it was not based on correct assessment of current situation in Czechoslovakia. Events were evolving in Czechoslovakia in direction desired by Czechoslovak Communist Party and statements which appeared to concern themselves with internal affairs of Czechoslovakia were not helpful to atmosphere necessary for good relations between USG and Govt of Czechoslovakia. Statements made by Secretary Rogers before Senate Foreign Relations Committee³ augured well for US-Czechoslovak relations. Therefore, was necessary express regret at Presidentʼs statement.

2. American Section Chief Novotny then added remark that his govt had to assume that President was basing his judgments of situation on reports supplied primarily by American Embassy although he was also naturally informed through press. Novotny noted that Embassy had included Presidentʼs press conference in its “widely circulated” Daily News Bulletin and that therefore it had not been possible for Czechoslovak Govt to ignore statement.

3. I commented that I would convey foregoing views to my govt but that I personally believed that Presidentʼs remarks were not motivated by any desire to interfere in internal Czechoslovak matters but on contrary to express concern at any development which would keep Government and people of Czechoslovakia from marking their own course.

4. Comment: Embassy did distribute full text of Presidentʼs press conference in its April 21 Bulletin. Preceding full text was separate story on Presidentʼs references to Czechoslovakia based on April 18 Wireless File Item No. EUF 128–SEF 82 but omitting any of interpolated references to Husak. Somewhat curious that oral presentation clearly indicated that matters going in direction desired by party with no reference to government. MFA officialsʼ manner made clear they acting somewhat reluctantly under firm instructions.

Baker

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 672, Country Files—Europe, Czechoslovakia, Vol. I Jan 69–31 Jan 70. Confidential; Priority. Received in the Department at 1754Z.
2. In an April 18 press conference, President Nixon referred to Dubcekʼs replacement by Husak (see Document 81). The President stated: “The Soviet Union is aware of our disapproval of that action. All Americans, in fact all people of the free world, see this as perhaps the final chapter in the great tragedy of the Czechoslovak people under Communist rule. We hope it is not the final chapter. We hope that some vestiges of freedom will remain. Yet, the Soviet Union has acted there and acted quite decisively.” (Public Papers: Nixon, 1969, p. 307)
3. Rogersʼs comments are in Briefing by Secretary of State William P. Rogers. Hearings Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, 91st Congress, 1st session (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1969).