NID: EASTERN EUROPE: PRESSING SOVIET TROOP WITHDRAWALS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826870
• 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 9, 1990

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826870
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EASTERN EUROPE: Pressing Soviet Troop Withdrawals
Moscow is trying to delay Hungarian and Czechoslovak demands that
it withdraw its forces quickly. The Soviets are arguing that rapid
pullout will overwhelm their rail system and cause serious problems
in housing and employing the withdrawn troops. Budapest wants the
withdrawal completed by 1 March 1991, seven months before the
Soviet proposal
itroop withdrawal talks between Prague and
Moscow have soured over the Czechoslovak demand that half the
Soviet troops withdraw by this May and the rest by December;
Moscow has proposed the withdrawal be completed next year.
Comment: Moscow has said it intends to
withdraw all its forces from Hungary and Czechoslovakia but will try
to stall until well into 1991. Although the Soviets probably could
remove their troops and equipment within the time frames Budapest
and Prague demand, they undoubtedly want a more gradual
withdrawal that would not disrupt their transportation system.
Moscow also would prefer as much time as possible to reassign and
arrange housing for the some 135,000 men and their families that
are returning.
NR Record
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TCS 2733/90
9 February 1990
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826870