NID: CZECHOSLOVAKIA: OPPOSITION GROWING DAILY

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826792
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2019
• Publication Date: November 24, 1989

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826792
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CZE(.IIOSLOVAKIA: Oppusithin Growing Daily
.4/though the hardliners still appear to be contemplating the use offorce
to maintain their power, the burgeoning of the apposition makes the
prospect of success in repressive measures increasingly unlikely,
Some 300.000 demonstrators called for the ouster of the hardline
Communist regime in Prague yesterday. and 51).000 protesters heard
Alexander Dubcek. party leader during the Prague Spring reform
efforts in 1968. speak in Bratislava. Cardinal Tomasek. head of the
Czechoslovak Catholic Church. has also backed the opposition.
appealing to believers to help in ousting the current regime
peacefully. Many factoricpledgcuortthegnejaLsirike
called for next Monday.
The regime's control of its own institutions appears lobe eroding.
the party's
armed militia in Prague has rejected orders to riuell demonstrations
and has refused to accept ammunition for weapons.
police elements in Prague have also publicly refused to
participate in suppressing protests.
General Secretary Jakcs and Premier .Adarnec are vying for
power. Former Premier Strougal.
representing 30 other party Central Committee members, has called
for the resignation of the entire presidium.
Comment: Active opposition has spread from Prague to many other
cities and now includes virtually all segments of society. The vast
dimensions of the protest suggest any last-ditch bid to reassert control
will be futile. Any attempt at violent suppression would be as likely to
intensify public hostility as to stifle it and would also leave the regime
virtually isolated in both Eastern and Western Europe.
The power struggle between the Adamcc-led moderates and
hardliners in the presidium may be decided at the Central Committee
plenum today. The Central Committee has not elected a party leader
since the choice of Dubcek in 1968 and has become a more orthodox
body: it is not likely to tap a radical reformer. Should the hardliners
prevail. their desperation might tempt them to risk a crackdown
despite the odds against success. If Adamec's perspective is accepted.
the regime probably would quickly enter into negotiations with the
opposition in an effort to gain popular trust
2
TCS 2972/89
24 November 1989
6.2(d)
6.2(d)
3.3(b)(1)
6.2(d)
3.3(b)(1)
3.3(b)(1)
6.2(d)
3.3(b)(1)
3.3(b)(1)
6.2(d)
6.2(d;
6.2(d
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826792