Word: svoboda
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...Russians were also negotiating in Prague with President Ludvik Svoboda, who as head of state could provide a stamp of legitimacy for a puppet government?and who commands immense popular prestige in both Czechoslovakia and Russia as a World War II leader of the Czechoslovak army that fought with the Soviets against Hitler. Though troops ringed his residence in Hradcany Castle, Svoboda was able to broadcast over the free radio...
Afternoon Off. Svoboda soon decided that he wanted to talk directly with the Kremlin leaders; Moscow agreed that he could come, but insisted that representatives of the conservatives on the Presidium must also be represented. Bilak and Indra joined the delegation, as did another conservative, Jan Filler, the party boss of Middle Bohemia. To balance the lineup, Svoboda was also permitted to bring along three Dubcek loyalists: Defense Minister Dzur, Minister of Justice Bohuslav Kucera and Central Committeeman Gustav Husak. It began to look like Cierna all over again?but on the Kremlin's terms. Before leaving, Svoboda asked...
Unreality ruled once more when Svoboda arrived in Moscow. The whitehaired general was given a 21-gun salute, presented with flowers and bussed on both cheeks by Brezhnev, Kosygin and President Nikolai Podgorny, who had come to the airport to greet him. Together the four rode in an open car, waving to thousands of Russians who had been given the afternoon off, oddly enough, to hail the conquered hero...
...When Svoboda sat down with Brezh nev in the Kremlin, he discovered that the Russians wanted to talk only with him and the six men that had come with him from Prague. Svoboda demanded that Dubcek and Cernik be in cluded. When Brezhnev demurred, Svoboda threatened to break off all negotiations, and Brezhnev gave in. Svoboda then informed the Czechoslovaks in a message broadcast over Prague's free radio station that Dubcek "was at his side" in the Kremlin confrontation...
...Europe. As soon as the train arriving from the Soviet Union came to a stop, the leaders of the Kremlin bounced out of their coaches and began effusively embracing the leaders of Czechoslovakia. Soviet Party Boss Leonid Brezhnev planted smacking kisses on both the country's President, Ludvik Svoboda, and its First Party Secretary, Alexander Dubček. Then, to the surprise of all, Brezhnev suddenly grabbed the hands of Dubček and Svoboda and raised them overhead in a victory salute...