• THE WHITE HOUSE 

• 

WASHINGTON 
iibCR:ET July 11, 1968 
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. W.W. R/w 
SUBJECT: The Situation in Czechoslovakia 
The situation in Czechoslovakia continues to heat up. Moscow is repeatedly 
broadcasting excerpts from yesterday's Pravda article denouncing "2, 000 Words" 
(the Czech artiste and intellectuals' recent manifesto). Pravda talks darkly of ''anti-socialist forces," which have "embarked on the course of overthrowing the existing system and the restoration of capitalists ways." It compares Czecho­slovakia with Hungary in 1956, and warns of "the activization of right wing and, 
indeed, counter revolutionary forces ... associated with Imperialistic reaction. 11 
The GermanDPA press agency (not very reliable) is carrying a story about 
travellers observing Soviet troops crossing into Czechoslovakia fro:tn Hungary. 
This is unconfirmed and probably inaccurate. There are reports that the 
People's Militia are being called out, and are drawing live ammunition. (The 
People's Militia --largely ~omposed of factory workers --is said to be pro­
Soviet and pro-Stalinist.) 
The Czech Oovernm.ent press spokesman has announced, on belialf of the Warsaw Pact Gf>mm.an-0., that remaining Soviet troops will begin withdrawing this Saturday. The Czech Minister of Defense says the Warsaw Pact Comm.and will issue a GttnUnunique tomorrow, and the departure will then "only be ~ question of a &hort time. "' 't'he Soviets ce silent.