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Washington, D.C. 20520 
September 5, 1968 
~LEnclosures 
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. WALT W. ROSTOW 
THE WHITE HOUSE 

SUBJECT: 	Statement on the Admission of Czechoslovak Refugees to the United States 
... 
We are closing watching the developing Czechoslovakian refugee problem. More than one hundred thousand Czechoslo­vak nationals were outside the country at the time of the Soviet occupation. Many of these will not return. Further­more, the ominous situation within Czechoslovakia could result in an additional outflow. 
As of the close of business, September 3, a total of 811 Czech refugees, who had sought political asylum since August 21, have been registered by the voluntary agencies for U.S. refugee program assistance. Although precise figures are not availavle, this total has· continued to increase in the interim. 
In view of the growing volume of these applications it is proposed that the President make a statement author­izing the admittance of Czechoslovak refugees into the 
U.S. and directing the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to make arrangements for their orderly entry. A draft Presidential statement is attached at Tab A. Alter­natively, the Department could be authorized to issue a statement to accomplish the same purpose. A draft Depart­mental statement is attached at Tab B. --­
Guidance in respect to these proposals is requested. 

rtL:-P. J~
Benjamin H. Read Executive Secretary 
Enclosures: 
As stated. 
CONFfDEN'iL:AL Enclosures