FREE WORLD REACTION TO EVENTS IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA (AS OF 1630 HOURS)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190017-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 5, 2006
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: August 21, 1968
• Content Type: MEMO

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SECRET
No. 0615/68
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
21 August 1968
SUBJECT: Free World Reaction to Events in Czecho-
slovakia (as of 1630 hours)
Summary
Free World reaction to the military interven-
tion in Czechoslovakia has been almost universally
critical although little reporting is available as
yet from areas other than Western Europe. A number of
key officials in Europe were on vacation at the time
of the event. The tone of comment has ranged from
Belgium's expression of "consternation" and condemna-
tion of "methods of coercion which nothing can jus-
tify" to Austria's reassertion of its neutrality and
its announcement of a military alert. There have
been demonstrations before Soviet and other Communist
diplomatic establishments in several countries.
Europe
1. The United Kingdom and West Germany reacted
promptly and strongly. Prime Minister Wilson called
the invasion "a tragedy not only for Czechoslovakia
1 "
e ri is a i -
ment has been called for an emergency session on 26
August. Britain's attitude was echoed by Prime Min-
istry Holyoake of New Zealand who stated that the in-
vasion turned the clock back to the darkest days of
the cold war.
2. German Chancellor Kiesinger called a cab-
inet meeting and then issued a statement branding the
invasion "a clear violation of Czech sovereignty and
interference in its internal affairs." A West Ger-
man Defense Ministry spokesman indicated that the
Federal Republic would assume the same attitude as
other members of the NATO alliance. In tavaria,
Note: This memorandum was prepared by the Office d
Current InteZZigence.
SEUXE l
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steps were taken to provide for potential Czech refu-
gees. In both Britain and German demonstrators ap-
peared before Soviet embassies.
3. French President de Gaulle's main concern
was with the effect on the European detente which
France had been trying to foster. Deploring the
events in-Czechoslovakia, which he felt constituted
an attack on the rights and destiny of a friendly
nation, De Gaulle indicated that Moscow apparently
still could not free itself from "bloc politics"
which interfered with the rights of people to manage
their own affairs. Italian Foreign Minister Medici
felt that the world had returned to "the period be-
fore Camp David" and that revitalization of NATO
and progress toward political integration of Europe
had now become more urgent. Italian Prime Minister
Leone was not in Rome when news of the invasion was
received.
4.' Belgium and the Netherlands strongly con-
demned the Soviet action. The Belgian Acting For-
eign Minister expressed his government's consterna-
tion, and the Belgian radio drew obvious parallels
with the 1956 invasion of Hungary. In the Hague,
both the government and the opposition Labor Party
issued strong condemnations. The public reacted
with shock and horror. Demonstrations were expected
and police were assigned to guard East European
embassies. Luxembourg officially announced its
consternation at Czech developments.
5. In Scandinavia, Denmark took the lead with
a government statement which stated in part that
"for all freedom-loving people, the events must be
felt as a tragedy." All Danish military leaves
were cancelled, and the cabinet was to hold an
emergency meeting. Swedish Prime Minister Erlander
issued a statement deploring the intervention and
expressing deep concern for the "sorrow and dis-
appointment" that must be felt by the Czech people.
Swedish press comment is not yet available, but the
conservative press may take the government to task
for its weak reaction in the face of all it has
said about US involvement in Vietnam. The Finnish
public reportedly was stunned and worried by the
Soviet action, and demonstrations against the So-
viet Embassy seemed likely.
No I
SECRET
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6. In central Europe, Austrian Chancellor
Klaus addressed the nation on 21 August to reassure
Austrians and visiting foreigners of their safety
and to serve notice indirectly to the USSR that
Austria did not intend to interfere at nrE?gPnt_
here has
but Swiss citizens were quick to -,..demonstrate before
the Soviet and Polish embassies in Bern.
been no official reaction from Switzerland as vet
Middle East
7. The Greek, Turkish, and Iranian governments
are apparently concerned, but there has been no of-
ficial reaction from them as yet. Privately, they
are almost certain to be adversely affected by the
Soviet move. Popular sympathy for Czechoslovakia
is likely to run high in Turkey, but the Turkish
radio has confined itself so far to full tactical
reporting. Nothing significant has been heard from
the Arab states as yet. Indian Prime Minister
Indiri Gandhi, who is torn between moral considera-
tions and India's dependence on Soviet military aid,
has informed parliament of her "anguish." She hopes
that the military forces which had entered Czechoslo-
vakia would withdraw shortly. She stated that the
._rights of a nation to live peacefully without out-
side interference should not be denied in the name
of religion or ideology.
Far East
8. in this area only Japan and Malaysia have
reacted as yet. Japanese official reaction has been
confined to a statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary
to the effect that the Soviet intervention is unac-
ceptable "whatever the reason." Press and radio
comment has been sparse and limited to expressions of
concern. Small groups have demonstrated before the
Soviet Embassy. Malaysian Prime Minister Rahman
has termed the Soviet action "most unfortunate,"
stating that any country that used force in this man-
ner was a threat to Malaysia. The Deputy Prime Min-
ister echoed these sentiments. Malaysian leaders
now may have second thoughts regarding their recent
policy of encouraging closer relations with the USSR.
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Africa
9. Reaction from Africa so far has been uni-
versally critical. The President of the Malagasy
Republic was quoted on the national radio as calling
the invasion "shameful" and "revolting." He went
on to say that "this affair shows us once more that
to join up with the Communists is to accept their
subjugation, to agree to be their tool, and thus to
renounce freedom of choice and self-determination."
Tunisian Foreign Minister Bourguiba expressed deep
concern to a US Embassy official. The Kenyan Foreign
Minister stated that,"gunboat diplomacy" was out of
place in the second half of the 20th century.
10. A Congo (Kinshasa spokesman made a statement
critical of the use of brute force against Czecho-
slovakia and said the Congo would recall its students
from countries which had participated in the invasion.
The Ethiopian radio gave unusually detailed -coverage
of Czech events, terming the movement of Communist
military forces a "full invasion." The government has
ordered news media not to editorialize, however. In
Sierra Leone, several cabinet ministers have notified
the US Embassy of their concern and disapproval, but
the Minister of Information says no public statement
is likely. The government of Nigeria is also concerned,
but has no direct information sources of its own and
has not yet commented publicly.
Latin America
11. Reaction from Central and South America is
light. The Brazilian Foreign minister has condemned
the Soviet action, telling reporters that the news was
received with surprise and that the invasion is a viola-
tion of the principles of the UN charter. He added
that freedom and Communism were irreconcilable. In
Chile, a TV commentator stated that Russia cannot al-
low neutrality in central Europe for fear its own
security would be weakened, and he suggested that
Czechoslovakia had suffered the same fate as Hungary.
Early morning papers in Latin America carried full news
reports but little editorial comment.
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International
12. At the United Nations, Secretary General U
Thant issued a statement deploring Soviet interven-
tion in Czechoslovakia and appealing to the Russians
to exercise restraint. U Thant also canceled his
plans to visit Prague shortly. The United States
and four other countries called for a meeting of the
UN Security Council on the afternoon of 21 August.
NATO officials are keeping a close watch on the situa-
tion. In Rome, Pope Paul VI indirectly appealed to
the Soviet Union and its allies not to destroy the
dignity and liberty of the Czech people.
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