LATIN AMERICAN REACTION TO THE CZECHOSLOVAKIA CRISIS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010008-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 3, 2003
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: August 23, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Releas 2003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A00050010008-3
23 August 1968
1. Government Reaction
Latin American governments except Cuba have been unanimous
in their. condemnation of the invasion of Czechoslovakia. Typical
of official comment is that of Chile's President Frei, who has
stated that the invasion is "a flagrant violation of the
determination of peoples," and "threatens world peace and the
very existence of defenseless small countries." Frei's
Christian Democratic Party (PDC) issued a statement condemning
the invasion as a. violation of the peaceful coexistence
principles "so many times proclaimed by the Soviet Union."
PDC presidential aspirant Radomiro Tomic said that "Soviet
occupation of Czechoslovakia is a brutal reaffirmation of the
claimed 'strategic security zones' of the great powers which
smother the right of smaller peoples to choose the regime they
prefer."
The Argentine foreign minister declared that "the Argentine
Government is indignant at the armed intervention in Czechoslovakia
by the USSR and other members of the Warsaw Pact, and regrets
and energetically condemns. the deed which. constitutes a violation
of sovereignty and the principle of non-intervention."
President Balaguer of the Dominican Republic has termed the
occupation of Czechoslovakia "very deplorable," and said that
all the Dominican people "condemn the intervention." Panama's
President Robles said he was shocked and. concerned over the
situation, and hoped that the US and other western powers would
not seek recourse only within the United Nations. He felt that
more direct and positive action was necessary. Prime Minister
Burnham of Guyana called the invasion "morally and legally
indefensible," and a "mockery of the posturing by large nations
about the rights of small nations to decide their own destinies
and to be free from outside interference." Brazilian President
Approved For Release 2003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010008-3
 Approved For ReleasV'2003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A000501010008-3
Costa e Silva said that the "invasion and occupation of its
territories by forces of socialist countries led by the Soviet
Union constitute a grave affront to the freedom and sovereignty
of the Czech people and harms the basic norms of behavior
stated in the United Nations Charter." He went on to say that
the "Brazilian Government deplores and condemns this blow
committed against Czechoslovakia...and makes a vehement appeal
that interventionist activities cease...."
Venezuelan officials have been particularly critical of
Soviet actions. An important member of the government said
that "the Soviets have demonstrated that they are the champion
imperialists of the contemporary world." The foreign minister
has hinted that the recent developments could affect Venezuela's
attitude toward the desirability of renewing relations with the
Soviet Union and other countries. He also said that his govern-
ment will review its decision to reestablish relations with
Czechoslovakia. For the past several months Venezuela has been
actively seeking to reestablish economic and political ties
with Russia and bloc countries.
The congress of Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and
Venezuela have unanimously passed resolutions condemning the
invasion of Czechoslovakia. :En Costa Rica, the legislative
assembly requested the government to break diplomatic relations
with Poland, the only bloc country with whom it has relations.
There has been no official comment out of Cuba, but Fidel
Castro is scheduled to address the nation on the crisis the
night of 23 August. (See Annex for other Cuban reaction).
2. Communist Party and Leftist Reaction
The Communist parties and extreme left have reacted along
predictable lines. The Chilean Communist Party, which is
probably the most important of the Latin American Communist
Parties, has insisted that the Soviet move was "necessary to
prevent a revival of capitalism," and that "reactionary forces
cannot be permitted to reconquer for capitalism Czechoslovakia
or any other socialist country." The Venezuelan Communist
Party, through its electoral front, issued an "energetic and
S E C R E T
-2-
Approved For Release 2003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010008-3
 Approved For Releasee1003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010008-3
categorical" denial that the "glorious Soviet Army" was guilty
of an invasion of Czechoslovakia, attributing such reports to
"imperialist news agencies." El Popular, the organ of the
orthodox Uruguayan Communist Party, claimed that the Soviet
invasion was in "defense of Czechoslovakia, socialism, and peace."
One leader commented that the Warsaw Pact countries "correctly
invaded to counter German revanchism encouraged by the United
States." The Costa Rican Communist Party said the Soviet action
was justified because of a danger of invasion by the United
States and West Germany.
The more extremist, anti-?Moscow parties have criticized
the Soviet Union. The Chilean Popular Socialist Party declared
that no country has the right to mix in the internal affairs
of other countries, and that the Soviet action "will only
strengthen the reactionary cause around the world." A spokesman
for a Chilean pro-Castro group stated that there is "absolutely
no justification for the Soviet move, and the alleged Czech
call for help is pure pretext."
The non-communist left has also. criticized the Soviet
invasion. In Venezuela, many politicians view the crisis as
having a damaging effect on the. chances of left-of-center can-
didates in the December national elections. Guyana's pro-
Communist leader Cheddi Jagan had no-comment, saying that the
matter was very important and that he had to discuss the
situation with his party colleagues before making a statement.
3. Public Reaction
Virtually every non-Communist newspaper in Latin America
has. condemned the Soviet action. Editorial opinion has been
uniformly. critical, although a few cannot resist needling the
United States on Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. For two
days, Chileans have been demonstrating in front of the Soviet
Embassy in Santiago. There was a brief demonstration in front
of the Soviet Embassy in Buenos Aires on 21 August. According
to press reports, more than. 200 Czechs working in Cuba held a
rally in downtown Havana on 22 August. The Czech ambassador
S E C R E T
-P3-
Approved For Release 2003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010008-3
 Approved For ReleasY2003/05/14 : CIA-RDP79B00887A0005 0010008-3
to Cuba, Jaroslav Bscolka, led. the demonstrators in support
for Dubcek and cries of "Russians go home from Czechoslovakia"
were heard. Copies of a declaration signed by the demonstrators
demanding the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops were sent
to all foreign ministries in Havana asking support through
diplomatic channels. Castro was also asked for his support.
S E C: R E T
-4-
Approved For Release 2003/05/14: CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010008-3