SUPPORTERS FOR BOTH CAUSES

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 1

SUPPORTERS FOR BOTH CAUSES

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 27.

Both the Russian and Czechoslovak Legations claimed today that their causes had received widespread support from New Zealanders.

The press attache at the Russian Legation, Mr E. Pozdniakov, showed some of about 200 letters and telegrams he said he had received since the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact countries.

He said that about 25 per cent of the letters were from thinking New Zealanders and

supported the move by Russia and its allies.

Mr Pozdniakov produced three telegrams and a handful of letters. “I have many others, these are just a few,” he said. Names had been blanked out because the letters were not intended for publication by their writers. “We have had some rude letters too, but not many of them,” he said, “about seven up to 10—no more.” Mr Pozdniakov said the remainder of the letters to his legation opposed the action of the Warsaw Pact countries.

Some writers “tried to give their reasons,” but many just said they were opposed, without giving reasons. The Charge d’Affaires at the Czechoslovak Legation, Mr J. Matous, said about 100 letters of support had been received from New Zealanders in the last few days. Mr Matous said that the Czechoslovak Legation had still to hear from Prague officially, although a business contact had sent a message from Brussels. The cable said that the situation was clearing up. Asked if he thought talks in Moscow would lead to Warsaw Pact troops being withdrawn! from Czechoslovakia, Mr Matous said: “I hope so and I think so.”