ASSESSMENT OF ‘PRAVDA’ ATTACK

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31762, 20 August 1968, Page 13

ASSESSMENT OF ‘PRAVDA’ ATTACK

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) PRAGUE, August 19. Yesterday’s strong Moscow press attack on Czechoslovakia is regarded by Communist sources in Prague as part of a deliberate effort to provoke reaction and give the Kremlin an opportunity for further pressure against Czechoslovakia’s reformist leaders.

The sources say that the attack by “Pravda” was also aimed at giving conservative elements in the Prague Presidium a political boost. Moscow is seeking to support its friends as much as possible before the fourteenth party congress in Prague on September 9, when the Czechoslovak officials who conform to the Kremlin line will have to fight hard for survival. The main object of the approaching congress is to vote in new men who will back the reforms of Mr Alexander Dubcek, the new party leader, and rid the party of its conservative opponents.

There is little doubt that the Kremlin would like to see Mr Dubcek and his supporters demoted but this seems unlikely because the new and younger men who came to power in January have won national backing and popularity.

The coming struggle is thus between old, entrenched party men who know how to manipulate votes and the younger, more idealistic men who rely on popular support Since the meeting on Saturday between Czechoslovakia's party leaders and journalists, at which a gentleman’s agreement not to disturb Prague-Moscow relations was reached, there has been a softer tone in the CzechoSlovak press. But one newspaper, the trade union daily, “Prace,” has issued in a commentary a warning against too tight a muzzle on the press. "For the moment, the press, radio and television is the only functioning parliament," the newspaper said, “and to deprive us of this parliament . . . would be interfering with the mainspring behind the reform programme. The January change (when Mr Dubcek took over) calls for a constant

dialogue between the press and the public.” But Prague Radio, notably softer, today urged patience and modesty on Czechoslovaks. “We don’t want to appear on the front pages of ‘Le Monde’ and “The Times’,” a commentator said. “Let's keep our finger crossed for Dubcek . . . and be vigilant against conservatives sneaking back into positions while we conduct free speech.”