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National Assembly Declaration
Aug. 21, 1968

The deputies of the National Assem-
bly have met and unanimously agreed
on the following declaration at a time
when the government and other organs
cannot carry out their functions:

1. We fully agree with the declara-
tion of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
and the Presidium of the National As-
sembly protesting against the occupa-
tion of Czechoslovakia by the armies
of the five countries—members of the
Warsaw Treaty—and considering it
the violation of international law, the
provisions of the Warsaw Treaty and
the principles of equal relations among
nations.

2. We demand the release from de-
tention of the constitutional represen-
tatives, namely President of the repub-
lic, Ludvik Svoboda, Prime Minister
Oldrich Cernik, President of the Na
tional Assembly Josep Smrkovsky and
First Secretary of the Central Com-
mittee of the Communist. Party of Cze-
choslovakia, Alexander Dubcek, Chair-
man of the Central Committee of the
National Front, Dr. Frantisek Kriegel,
Chairman of the Czech Nationa] Coun-
cil, Cestimir Cisar and others in order
that they can carry out their constitu-
tional functions ‘entrusted to them by
the sovereign people of the country.

The delegation which we have sent
to the Soviet Embassy this morning
has not yet returned. We protest
against the fact that the National As-
sembly, the government and al] bodies
of the National Front are prevented
from carrying out their legal rights and
the freedom of movement and as-
sembly.

3. We categorically demand imme-
diate withdrawal of the armies of the
five states—members of the Warsaw
Treaty—and full respect Of the state
sovereignty of the Czechosloyak So-
cialist Republic. We call on the parlia-
ments of all countries and the world
public opinion to support Our legal
demands.

4. We empower a delegation of the
National Assembly composed of Marie
Mikova, Josef Macek, Josef Vallo,
Pavol Peos, Josef Pospichal and Vac-
lav Kucera to enter into contact with
the President of the National Assem-
bly, Josef Smrkovsky, the President of
the Republic, Ludvik Svoboda, and the
Prime Minister, O. Cernik, in order to
inform them about the above decision
and agree with them on further proce-

dure. The delegation will immediately

inform the Czechoslovak people about
the result of their negotiations.

5. We call on all the people not to~

do any violent actions against the oc-
cupational armies and not let them-
selves be provoked by various forces
which want to gather proof for the
justification of the intervention and
use the situation for self-appointed
actions.

Working people, citizens, remain in
your workshops and offices and safe-
guard your factories and enterprises.
Use all democratic methods for fur-
ther development of socialism in

Czechoslovakia! If necessary you will ©

surely be able to resist by general
strike. We believe that we will come
out of these difficult moments with
raised head and firm backbones.

At the above meeting, the Deputy
President of the National Assembly,
Josef Vallo, has likewise informed the
Deputies about his discussion with the
President of the Republic in which Mr.
Ludvik Svoboda expressed his approv-
al with the calling of the plenary ses-
sion of the Assembly.

6. In view of the fact that the gov-

ernment is primarily aware of the poli- |

tical consequences of the occupation
and at the-same time its responsibility

. for the proper management of the na-

tional economy, it turns‘to all work-
ers, peasants and intelligentsia to con-
stantly guard the line contained in the
declaration of the Presidium of the
Central Committee of the Communist
Party of Czechoslovakia adopted at
today’s session and simultaneously
turn their attention to the safeguarding
of the industrial production, agricul-
ture, transport and supplies in order to
prevent a disruption of the national
economy.

7. The government particularly calls
on the young peoples—the hope of our
nations—that especially they, by a dig-
nified and self-conscious calmness, face
the situation which has arisen and in
no case give any pretext for useless
sacrifice.

8. We call on all people to face the
arguments about the necessity of mili-
tary action from abroad by securing
of the proper management of produc-
tion and maintenance of calmness and
sound reason. The government. appre-

-‘ciates the support of all international

progressive forces all over the world
which have been given to our socialist
republic at today’s difficult situation.

DECLARATION BY GOVERNMENT

To All People of Czechoslovakia:
Today, Czechoslovakia has been oc-

Czechoslovak statements

cupied by the military forces’ of the
five states—members of the Warsaw
Treaty—against the will of its govern-
ment, the National Assembly, the lead-
ership of the Communist Party of
Czechoslovakia and the people.

Thus for the first time in the history
of the international Communist move-
ment occurred an action of aggression
against a state administered by a
Communist Party, an action carried out
by allied military armies of the social-
ist countries. :

The crisis has continued since the
early morning hours. The constitu-
tional organs of the republic are deep-
ly disrupted, the individual members
of the government, the National As-
sembly, the leadership of the Commu-
nist Party, the National Front and
the other organizations have no possi-
bility of mutual contact nor that with
the population of the country which
has spontaneously given them their
trust during the recent months.

The council of the members of the

government and the leadership of the
party, leading deputies of the National

Assembly and other representatives .
are detained. The semilegal Czechoslo-~

vak radio station, maintained only with
the greatest efforts of its employees,
remains the last link of commu-
nication. It is being gradually silenced.
Even under the above circumstances
the government of the Czechoslovak
Socialist Republic and the constitu-
tional organs together with the leader-
ship of the party want to carry out
their constitutional duties and safe-
guard the normal life in the country.
We call on you, Czechs and Slovaks,
citizens belonging’ to the national
minorities, all citizens of the Czecho-
slovak Republic with the following
appeal: ;
1. We demand an immediate with-

. drawal of the armies of the five states

—members of the Warsaw Treaty—as
well as correct adherence to the trea-

ty and full respect of the state of ’

sovereignty of Czechoslovakia.

2. We urgently demand that the
governments of the Soviet Union, the
German Democratic Republic, the Pol-
ish People’s Republic, the Hungarian
Peoples’ Republic and the Bulgarian
People’s Republic issue an order to
stop the armed actions during which
lives are lost and material values de-
stroyed in our country.

3. We demand that normal condi-
tions for the activity of Czechoslovak
constitutional and political organs be

_and electricity in all regions ang

immediately created and the detaing
individuals, members of-those Ore.
released in order that they coul
new their activities.

4. We demand an immediate
mencement of the session of the wy,
National Assembly before which 4.
complete Czechoslovak governy,

We appeal to you to assist in
above demands of the gove
primarily by:

1. Showing similarly’ as you
already done many times in the nz
the necessary statesmanlike reasQOy,
unifying your strength around the
ally elected Czecholovak govern,
which exists and to which you
given your full trust in this April.

2. Not permitting that by any ¢
way another government be inst.
in the head of our republic th
government which has been
under free democratic conditions —™
observations of all principles of ~
Constitution. ;

3. Activize the workers of fact,
and other workshops and offi
turn with their support of the pog;,.-
of the Czechoslovak governmens«
the headquarters of the occupat;
forces and the governments of the
countries of the Warsaw Treaty.

4. Create conditions for the
vation of order.

Exclude all ad hoc actions -dit,
against the members of the og,
tional armies. Insure by your —
means the necessary Supply of
population with foodstuffs, water

range for the safety of enterprise,
important equipment as well as fe
prevention of other economic loss,
Dear Citizens, ‘

We pass through difficult mom
The happy life of this country cx
guaranteed only by the people wh, |
habit and work in it. >

We believe that at this moment
will give your government full _
port and strength in the service o
socialist republic.

Citizens, it is still in our po
complete with your assistance
great task of renaissance whi
have embarked upon in January,
government believes that with .%&
help we will do without any un?’
sary sacrifices and bloodshed. .