EASTERN EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00864A001200020036-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 9, 2006
• Sequence Number: 36
• Publication Date: November 1, 1972
• Content Type: STUDY

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#205 EASTERN EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCER OCI #1000/72
1 Nov. 1972
Chnoupek On Prague's Foreign Policy
In a summary yesterday of Prague's view of the world to
the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly, Foreign Minister Chnoupek
was optimistic and positive although his address did not indicate
any real interest for an extension of contacts with non-socialist
countries. The Soviet Union and its socialist friends continue,
of course, to occupy first place in Prague's heart. Although
Chnoupek claimed that contacts with the People's Republic of
China are expanding, he repeated warnings which have been
commonplace in Prague press of late that such contacts cannot
be to the deteriment of the unity of the socialist bloc.
Chnoupek said that Prague was eager to help eliminate the
vestiges of World War II and improve its relations with the
Federal Republic of Germany. He repeated the standard Czecho-
slovak demand, however, that these depend "inevitably" on the
Brandt government,'s recognition of the Munich Agreement as in-
valid from the beginning (ab initio).
Chnoupek appeared to place emphasis on developing better
ties with France although the results of the recent visit of the
Czechoslovak Deputy Foreign Minister to Paris would indicate that
this is pure rhetoric (see Intelligencer 30 October). Such a
gap between declared and real policy was also evident with regard
to the United States. The Foreign Minister said that developing
relations on the more important questions (MFN) which must be
solved "with priority." Prague knows that MFN lies at the end
of a long road and such demands only indicate that it is not
seriously interested at this time in proceeding down that road.
F7
Polish Food Price Freeze Extended
The regime has decided to continue the freeze on food
prices which had been in effect in Poland since January 1971.
The announcement, which came in the form of a joint Politburo-
Presidium resolution on 31 October, was not unexpected. What
is noteworthy, however, is that Premier Jaroszewicz.-delivered 25X1
a live radio and television address to the nation that evening
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to explain the action. He discussed Poland's economic progress
during the past two years, noted that the cost of living is going
down every year while the average real wage is increasing, and
praised the people for their assistance in making the economic
programs work. The resolution, he said, freezes, for 1973
(implying for the entire 12 months) ... the prices of such basic
food stuffs as meat and processed meats, fats, milk and cheese,
flour, bread, grain products, sugar and salt. The decision,
made and announced two months earlier than necessary (the current
freeze lasts until 31 December), and the accompanying fanfare 25X1
and publicity is undoubtedly intended to kill rumors that had
been circulating for several weeks that prices (including food)
would increase after the first of the year.
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