CZECHOSLOVAKIA MOVES TO CUT BACK PARTY POWER
new party firstAlexander Dubcek, ison "democratization" of the party to secure his power. For the first time since thetook over party central committee members and alternates, together with the central control and auditingare exercising thepower which hasbeen theirs all along. Inspired by their success inNovotny and encouraged by Dubcek,eople arehelping toparty action program" which will be presentedentral committee meeting reportodly scheduled for mid-March.
The program, as outlinedommunique from the partywill be designed to "ensure" the central committee's continued dominance, to reinvigorate the top levels of the party with infusions of capable men from the ranks, and to provide for "evaluation" of theof party functionaries. The program will provideew system of party appointments, thus breaking up the monopoly of Novotny's former henchmen. with posts in the party and government will have to choose one post or the other. Aatmosphere in whichfor criticism, and diversity of views" could flourish in the central committee would be Parliament would be given complete leadership of theelectoral procedures would be changed to guarantee this.
Dubcek has begun making changes in the central partywhich up to now has dominated both the centraland the government. He has replaced the chiefs of departments responsible for military andaffairs, as well as for ideology, with people he trust*.
These developments areunprecedented publicity and agitation for change iswithin the party. Local party units from nearly every important area of the country areliberalizationoice in the "democratization" process. Many old-time Communists, shunted aside after they carried off the bloodless couprerespected voices to demandsut back in the party's power.
The same spirit animates those politically active among thepopulace. Students want their own organization, separate from the officially supported mass youth The mass youthin turn has been demanding that lt ceaseere arm of the party. Slovaks have demonstrated for fulfillment of economic promises. The Writers' Union has demandedin the party of some of its members who were banned byfor outspoken criticism. are pressing for reform.
Journalists are calling for an end to censorship.
Dubcek will begin to put his stamp on the governmenteeting of parliament scheduled to begin onebruary. Conservative opposition to Dubcek's ideas is still strong, however, and the process of change tnav take lonaer than he has foreseen.
la
Novotny has been replaced as party firstby Alexander Dubcek but retains his less Importantas president-at least for the time being* The new leadership may prove to be
Slovak leader Alexanderlevation to first secretary of the Czechoslovak Corcmunist Party appears to haveast-minute compromise among various interest groups within the presidium and committee at the plenumanuary.
seen a
puDncicy spread which had been prepared on planning chief Oldrich Cernik, who was thought to haveeading contender forob,
lection isnumber of the Slovak minority has ever before held the top party job in Dubcek was made chief of the party in Slovakias part of the country's belated de-Stalinization process. Under his rule the Slovaks have been in the vanguard ofto Novotny and hispolicies*
wasthe party embers. The
four new presidium members, who were promoted over five candidate members of that body, have played relatively minor roles in national politics, but they doegional balance. They were added to counterbalance theof Novotny and any of his potential supporters who remain in the party's ruling body.
The new men are experienced inf Czechoslovakia's keyproblem areas. Their appointment and the communique of the central committee suggest that economic improvement will be the first order of business once the new regime completes its organization.
Other leadership changes, both in the party and government, are reportedly being considered. Premier Lenart may be replaced by Cernik when the parliament meets onanuary. ideology chief Jiri Hendrych may also eventually go, Hendrych is said to have attempted to get on the antl-Novotny bandwagona December party meeting, but was told by other presidium members that it was too late and that in any case his recordthis.
According to several reports, the government structure will be reorganized,icture of its new shape has not yet emerged.
3
current Intelligence4
Soviet party chief Brezhnevpecial trip to Prague in early December after Moscow realized that serious trouble waa brewing. His purpose waa to assure himself that the aitua-tion waa not getting out of hand rather than to attempt toolution. Although thehave been staunchof Novotny during his long tenure and vice versa, they are doubtless more interested in
stability of the Czechoslovak regime than in Novotny'sfortunes.
For the time being, there are not likely to be any basic shifts in Czechoslovak relations with Moscow, but there may be some moderation in Prague'stoward theicularly toward Germany.
Jan IntelligenceS
Original document.
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