Prague - Washington

CIAO DATE: 02/05

Prague - Washington - Prague

By Vaclav Havel

Table of Contents

I. Business As Usual?

Filippov said that the October 28 demonstrations confirmed his opinion that no great change in CPCZ personnel or policies would occur before the May Party Congress. The GDR had shown that one could not ignore public opinion, but the pressure from below here was limited. While the Czechoslovak leadership was worried by developments in East Germany, unless an "unique set of conditions" developed here too it would stick to a program of gradual change. At present there were no serious divisions within the Party leadership and CPCZ Chief Jakes was clearly in charge. Prime Minister Adamec spoke out for more decisive economic reforms, but his support was limited to younger members of the Party and Government... Filippov saw pressure for change coming as practical issues were discussed within the CPCZ in connection with the May Party Congress. A draft of a new constitution, Party statutes and a Party program would be the convenient hooks on which Party members could hang reform ideas. Prague 07670, November 2, 1989

II. The Watershed

This is the first mass specifically student demonstration since 1969 and represents a watershed event for the Jakes regime. It changes our frame of reference on this regime's longevity. The brutal police treatment of youth will have broad repercussions among the general population as it did last January at the much smaller-scale Palach demonstrations. It should remove what trace of legitimacy the regime retains as far as the general public is concerned. Jakes will not be able to pretend... that Czechoslovakia is serious about speeding up the pace of political reform. Prague 08082, November 18, 1989

III. Towards Political Politics

Czechoslovakia's "quiet" revolution, with the Civic Forum in its vanguard, has really only just begun, but it has reached an important milestone in forcing the regime to engage in a dialogue. The Forum's representatives do not underestimate the long fight ahead before the legal and tactical roadblocks the CPCZ will put in the way of achieving such goals as free elections can be overcome and the present totalitarian system can be gradually transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Prague 08343, November 29, 1989

IV. The Government of National Understanding

V. The Final Act of the Non-violent Revolution

Vaclav Havel's election as President on December 29 caps the first phase of the Czechoslovak "quiet" revolution... Havel's election symbolically confirms in the minds of average Czechs and Slovaks that the democratic process here is irreversible and free elections guaranteed. The next phase of this revolution will be to institutionalize political reforms. Prague 09083, December 29, 1989