Dubcek Addresses Nation

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 15

Dubcek Addresses Nation

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PRAGUE, Sept. 15. The Czechoslovak Communist Party leader (Mr Alexander Dubcek) said last night that steps against antiSocialist forces within his country had been planned before the invasion by Warsaw Pact forces last month.

In a 45-minute television address to the nation, Mr Dubcek admitted that Czechoslovakia had lost the trust of the five occupying countries

through her failure “to guarantee thoroughly the removal of negative tendencies.”

But Mr Dubcek gave no indication Prague intended to meet Soviet demands that the so-called anti-Soclalist elements must be removed from Government and other positions. And he again made it clear that there could be no return to the policies of the Novotny regime. He stressed, however, that Czechoslovakia would fulfil the conditions of the Moscow agreement to allow the withdrawal of occupation troops. "Czechoslovakia must root out the elements of mistrust and convince our partners about the deep Sodalist trend in our policy,” he said.

“We must, even more than before, hinder anti-Soclalist forces.”

Despite a firm promise that Prague would undertake the tailoring of its liberalisation necessary to meet Moscow’s wishes, there were noticeable

signs in his speech that Mr Dubcek still defended his preinvasion stand, even on the handling of ultra-progressive forces which angered Moscow.

Speaking of extremes of the Right and Left, Mr Dubcek said: "We have always spoken unequivocally and openly in speeches, in measures and in proclamations. We wanted to carry out legal measures in the National Assembly by the end of August. “You know the party has always taken action against such phenomena as antiSocialists. "There are remnants of anti-Socialist forces which could still do harm to the Moscow agreement,” Mr Dubcek said. "They might expect support from imperialist forces who have never liked to see the strengthening of socialism in our country through the democratisation process. "There are Individuals who

have never Identified themselves with the post-January policy and are now trying to turn the wheel of history back to before January. “We must tell these people ‘No—that time is over.’ There will be no return.”

Mr Dubcek had only this to say to the youth of the nation: “Dear young friends, we can promise you nothing, and do not promise you anything. There is only much personal hard work ahead.” Although the Warsaw Pact tanks and troops have withdrawn to the outskirts of Prague and other cities, the military presence was still very much in evidence last night.

Loud bangs, apparently caused by jet planes, were heard over Prague several times yesterday, Soviet armoured cars were often seen cruising through the streets, and some armed Soviet soldiers appeared again in front of Prague Castle.