NID: CZECHOSLOVAKIA: CONVICTION OF HAVEL ISOLATES REGIME

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826732
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2019
• Publication Date: February 23, 1989

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826732
r t
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Conviction of Havel Isolates Regime
The conviction of Vaclav Havel on Tuesday shows the regime's
determination to confront the recent upsurge in dissent, but the move
will lead to more Western and Soviet criticism and will increase
tensions between hardliners and pragmatists in the party. Police also
arrested Charter 77 spokesman Tomas Hradilck on Wednesday for
"incitement." and seven other dissidents were convicted yesterday.
Two received sentences similar to that given Havel, and the other five
got suspended sentences. Several Western governments, including
West Germany and Austria. have criticized Prague's actions, and a
Soviet press article urged the Czechoslovaks to rethink their polic on
dissent, echoing earlier indications of Moscow's displeasure.
Comment: The hardliners who dominate the Jakes regime appear
convinced that only a crackdown will stem dissident defiance and are
prepared to ignore foreign criticism. Pressure from Moscow may,
however, encourage more pragmatic members in the leadership to
push for leniency. The sentences imposed could still be suspended or
reduced if the pragmatists argue convincingly that imprisonment
might incite more demonstrations. The orthodox leadeq,in East
Germany and Bulgaria, who also are trying to resist Gerferal Secretary
Gorbachev. will applaud Havel's conviction.
NR Record
10
*Cal
TCS .!74 3/89
23 February 1989
6 0
2 U
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826732