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

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00887A000500010027-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: August 21, 1968
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For ReYase 2003gft f,FtRDP79B00887fi 500010027-2
No. 0615/68
CENTR.. INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
21 Augi4st 1968
MEMORANDUM
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 establiRhments i n ,cv0ra 1. countries.
EUro0
1. The United Kingdom and WcsL Germany reacted
promptly and strongly. Prime Minister Wilson called
the invasion "a tragedy not only for Czechoslovakia
but for Europe and the whole world."
The ri is ar ia-
ment as been ca or 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 t1e 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 Bavaria,
State Dept. review completed
Note: This memorandum was prepared by the Office of
Current Intelligence.
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steps were ta~en to provide for potential. Czech refu-
-
goes. In both Britain and Germa demonstrators ap
cared before Soviet embassies.
had now become more urgent. Italian Prime Minister
Leone was not in Rome when news of the invasion was
received.
.fore Camp David" and that revitalization of NATO
and progress toward political integration of Europe
France had been trying to foster. Deploring the
events in Czechoslovakian 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-
3. French President de Gaulle's main concern
was with the effect on the European detente which
4. Belgium and the Netherlands stronc-oly con-
demned the Soviet action. The Belgian Acting For-
eign Minister expressed his government's co nsterna.-
tion, and the Belgian radio drew obvious parallels
with the 1956 invasion of Hungary. In the Hague,
both the government and the opposition La.bor_ Party
issued strong condemnations. The public reacted
with ,shock and horror. Demonstrations were expected
and pal i.o n were assigned to guard I 1;:,nt I ~r >I,c>an
embassi.r,,, , Luxembourg officially ann()ufl(_.(,.(1
consternation at Czech developments.
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.
for its weak reaction in the face of all it has
conservative press may take the government to task
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, bu.t the
S. In Scandinavia, Denmark. took t. lit l t a ] i. i t.]
a government:' ,~t:etc.mrnt: which stair d in l> i t.]~ rt
"for all freedom--loving people, the cav_~nt: haunt-. he
felt as a tragedy." All Danish military leaves
were cancelled, and the cabinet was to hold an
emergency meeting. Swedish Prime Minister Erland.er.
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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 present.
but Swiss citizens were quick to ?_.demonstrate before
the Soviet and Polish embassies in Bern.
been no official reaction from.S,-iitzerland as yet,
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
on to say that "this affair shows us once more that
the 4nvasion "shameful" and "revolting." He went
Republic was quoted on the,national radio as calling
9. Reaction from Africa so far has been uni-
versally critical. The President of the Malagasy
to join up with the Communists is to accept their
subjugation, to agree to be their tool, and thus to
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 secona nal.t of the 4utn century.
10. A Congo (Kinshasa spokesman made a statemen
critical of the use of brute force against Czecho-
from countries which had participated in the invasion.
slovakia and said the Congo would recall its students
of Czech events, terming the movement of. Communist
The Ethiopian radio gave unusually detailed-coverage
mila.tary forces a "full invasion." The government has
ordered news media not to editorialize, however. In
is likely. The'government of Nigeria is'also concerned,'
the Minister of Information says no public statement
the US Embassy of their concern and disapproval, but'
Sierra Legne, several cabinet ministers have notified.
has not yet commented publicly.
but has no direct information so~}rces,of its own,ara.
11. Reaction from Central and South America is
light. The Brazilian Foreign Minister has condemned
that freedom And Communism were irreconcilable,, In
tion of the principles of the UN charter. He added
received with surprise and that the invasion is a viola-
the Soviet action, telling reporters that the news was
Chile, a TV commentator stated that Russia cannot al-
Early morning papers in Latin America carried full news.
Czechoslovakia had suffered the same fate as Hungary.
security would be weakened, and he suggested that
reports but little editorial comment.
renounce freedom of choice and self-determination.,"