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NEW CZECHOSLOVAK LEADER CONSOLIDATES POSITION
lessonth,party First Secretary Dubcek has taken several steps that will consolidate hisas the new regime leader.
His actions to date have been cappedeeting with Soviet leaders in Moscow, wnich ooth sides have been eageruccess. Dubcek's quick trip to the USSRanuary, during which he wasby any otherofficial, gave bothhance to size up the other and to go into Dubcek's plans for changes in the country's domestic policies. The Soviets may have been somewhat reassured, but must still look on Dubcek'sexperiments with apprehension.
Prague's unusually effusive description of the talks was
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lacking; in specifics, but stated thatull accord of views on all questions discussed" was reached in "an atmosphere offriendship, sincerity, and friendly understanding." The two parties were said to haveviews" on foreign policy questions and the problems of international Coetmunism.
Certain specific problems in bilateral relations probably were set aside for another time and for lower level officials to deal with. On the sane day that Dubcek arrived in Moscow, foroviet delegation wound up nine days of talks in Prague on the question of pricing policy,ource of friction that has interfered with trade between both states.
Having received at least the tacit acceptance of Soviet leaders, Dubcek probably returned homo with confidence in his plans to set Czechoslovakiaew course and to broaden his base of political support. To mollify critical intellectuals prior to his Moscow trip, he already had allowed the Czechoslovak Writers' Union to elect its own liberal leadership. He has alsothe union toew weekly journal to replace the one taken away from the union by former party boss Novotny.
While heartened, thehave not completelytheir suspicious attitudes.
Zn contrast to their bitterto Novotny, however, they view Dubcek's election as "the beginningrocessthe party and society in which writers want to take part."
Onanuary, onerusted colleagues, Vasil Bilak, was elected to succeed him aa first secretary of the Slovak Communist Party. The two apparentlyood working relationship whilethe Slovak party2 The election ofkrainian, continues the trend started by Dubcek of elevating representatives of national minorities intoof power. ember of the Slovak minority, had alreadyan of gypsy origin to the party presidium.
These initial changes seem to be having their desired Zt has been reported, for example, that younger,elements in Czechoslovak society are optimistic that Dubcek's election will resultenuine break with the past, whether their optimism isor not, their risingthat the party's dead hand will be lifted frost domestic affairs will generate additional pres*ure_in that direction.
Original document.
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