Czechoslovakia

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 10

Czechoslovakia

Sir,—Condolences on the resurrection of the Vietnam correspondence, the subterfuge being to use as a facade the criminal act of the Russian colossus. The morality or otherwise of the invasion of Czechoslovakia is in no way contingent on the Vietnam issue, and within that context to designate anyone as hypocritical suggests mindreading capabilities. Correspondents guilty on these counts include Minnie Bird, H. T. Anderson, “Consistent,” “New Zealand Housewife” and “North-West.” M. Holland’s pre-emptive bid of ranting invective unwisely attacks Mark D. Sadler, whose suggestion to oust the Soviet Legation was the only constructive suggestion made since the outset, Mr Holland is singularly silent on the main issue but says more than enough about Vietnam. Percy L. McMillan has the wisdom of the sophomore if he realises totalitarianism can force progress. J. Oberg has “no doubt” that Russia had good reason but nobody in New Zealand knows why Russia invaded Czechoslovakia. Fellow-travellers, tales, fiddle-faddle, and fantasy.— Yours, etc., GEORGE KELLY. August 28, 1968.

Sir, —If Percy L. McMillan's assumption is correct, “that history will prove that communism has done more for its people in a short 50 years than all the western capitalist Powers have done for the greater part of the world, such as India, Africa, South-

East Asia, or South America in 1968 years,” then one can only deplore the fact that Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin were not born 2000 years ago. Had that multiple event occurred then who can doubt that all of us today would be experienced astronauts enjoying our strictly supervised leisure in Soviet palaces of culture atop the moon.—Yours, etc., F.M. August 28, 1968.

Sir,—The words, “Czechoslovaks shake clenched fists at a Russian movie cameraman working from an armoured car in Prague,” under a picture you print this morning, are misleading. Clearly, the Czechoslovaks in question are giving the Communist salute—upraised arm with clenched fingers and upturned thumb.—Yours, etc., L.H.B. . August 28, 1968.

Sir, —No supporter of human rights can fail to observe the situation in Czechoslovakia with the greatest concern. At first the Soviet diplomats in this country assured a deputation of students that the Russian Army would never invade that country. Now they try to assure us they are there on popular demand. The recent events show clearly how welcome they are. The explanation which a Soviet diplomat gave on television was a pitiful display and gave the impression j that he himself was not convinced at all. In the meantime the Warsaw Pact forces tighten their grip on this unfortunate nation, and Prague in particular. The negotiations in Moscow are as usual in a “friendly and comradely fashion,” which is translated into plain English: “with a knife at their throat and a gun in their back.”— Yours, etc., LIBERTY. August 27, 1968.

Sir, —Without wishing to defend Russian actions I am surprised about the double standard of morals applied to Czechoslovakia and Vietnam. Today’s big headline says, “Czechs mourn in Anger,” and below it says. “As anger and hatred mounted throughout Czechoslovakia . . . hundreds of people gathered to mourn the first victim of the occupation.” Further down the page we have a very much smaller headline, “Heavy toll in Vietnam.” There we read: “The enemy casualty toll of more than 5000 killed last week was the highest since the week ending May 18.” Two wrongs do not make one right, but neither does one right (protest against interference in Czechoslovak affairs by the Russians) make another wrong right (killing 5000 Vietnamese in one week when they defend their country against American, Australian, and New Zealand invaders). We should dissociate ourselves from both, or else admit that we are hypocrites.—Yours, etc., NON-ALIGNMENT IS THE ANSWER. August 28, 1968.

Sir, —It is a pity that this country is not as united regarding Vietnam as it is towards Czechoslovakia, for the cases are similar, the result of Power politics in action, although the Prime Minister refuses to see any parallel. In each case a Great Power and its satellites have invaded a small country, the excuse (which now has a familiar ring) being that they were invited in. In neither case was the United Nations nor any other organisation consulted before action was taken. Is it simply that the Vietnamese are “only Asians” that we feel no concern, or is it that we have been so well indoctrinated that we cannot see the situation clearly,—Yours, etc., DEMOCRACY. August 26, 1968.

Sir, —I agree with the French Left-wing philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, who has said the invasion of Czechoslovakia would be defined under international law as a war crime. I must add that it is the worst war crime. In 1939 Hitler told his soldiers that the invasion of Czechoslovakia was needed for Greater Germany. The Russian leaders told their soldiers that they are doing it for liberation. The heroic Czechoslovak people unanimously resisted such “liberation.” Thank God that among these brave people the Russians could not find such persons whom some of your correspondents try to find an

excuse for this shameful Russian war crime.—Yours, etc., FREEDOM OF CHOICE. August 28, 1968.

Sir, —I applaud and congratulate the Soviet Union on its timely intervention in Czechoslovakia. After all, the Czechoslovaks do owe a little loyalty to their great Russian liberators. The Russians lost 30 million dead, during the Nazi invasion and 145,000 driving the Hun from Czechoslovak soil. If the Russians did not show concern at Nazi resurgence today, then who else would? The Czechs had been involved in a bit of underhand work before the Russian entry, and a sharp reminder that crime does not pay was urgently necessary. There are only two things in the world today blocking the way to a united Germany and an American-backed resurgence of Nazism. These things are the Berlin Wall and Russian vigilance. It is grand to know that we have at our backs a country that can stand up to the warmongering Fascist nations of today and beat them at their own game, as they beat Hitler’s Nazi hordes at their own game in the last war.—Yours, etc., VOSTOCK. August 28, 1968.