BAN ON TRAVEL

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 1

BAN ON TRAVEL

<N.Z. Press Association)

VIENNA, August 28.

A Czechoslovak Foreign Ministry announcement said today that journalists and tourists were banned from entering Czecholsovakia until further notice. The announcement—made available in Vienna—said foreigners who needed to enter Czechoslovakia on business must “in addition to a visa have a special certificate indicating the purpose of their visit.

“Foreigners can enter the territory of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic only for purposes of business or other official trips,” the announcement added.

It added that journalists, workers in other public information media and tourists “will not be admitted to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic until further notice."

Word From N.Z. Man

Advice has been received from Mr A. W. Smale, of Christchurch, who was thought to have been in Czechoslovakia, that he is safe in Vienna.

Mr Smale, aged 23, wrote to his mother, Mrs W. G Smale, of Vagues Road, Papanui, and said that he was due to enter Czechoslovakia the same day as the Russians entered. The American ice-skating company with which he was travelling decided to remain in Vienna until the crisis had passed. No word has been received from Mr and Mrs A. Stokes, of Christchurch, who may be in Czechoslovakia. Mr Stokes’s mother, Mrs R. F. Stokes, of Seaview Road, New Brighton, said yesterday that the couple were in Europe on a summer holiday tour and they were expecting to go to Czechoslovakia.