0.00 | Narrator | Awkward developments attract the attention of the neighbours, particularly of the Soviet Union. Differences of opinion might be settled in a meeting at Čierna. Will it succeed? Czechoslovak party leader Dubček meets Soviet party boss Brezhnev |
0.28 | Narrator | Apparently the negotiations are not simple and they are constantly being extended. The small railway station in Eastern Slovakia becomes a centre of the world’s interest. The talks last for four days and information is scarce but the representatives can count on the support of the whole nation. Finally an agreement. It ends with smiles and a fraternal embrace. |
01.00 | Narrator | This is the first day of August 1968. Two days later in Bratislava a common declaration is formally signed by six socialist states, members of the Warsaw Pact, with Romania absent as usual. The principles of equality, sovereignty, national independence, territorial integrity and fraternal co-operation are reaffirmed. |
01.30 | Narrator | It would appear that everything is alright but is it? The following week, the president of Yugoslavia Marshall Tito visits Prague. He gets a hero’s welcome. |
01.50 | Narrator | 12th of August. East German leader Walter Ulbricht comes unexpectedly to Prague. He offers his rich experience for, according to his own words, he represents one of the most stable socialist countries. |
02.11 | Narrator | On the 15th of August the long expected visit of the Romanian leader, Nikolai Ceauşescu takes place. This statesman’s efforts towards an independent policy within the Warsaw Pact gain an extraordinary amount of sympathy in Czechoslovakia. After his departure, a few quiet days. Now it is time to prepare the extraordinary party congress which should permanently ratify the recent Czechoslovakian economic and social reforms. But there is another unexpected visit. It occurs at dawn of the 21 August 1968. |
03.08 | CAPTION | Wednesday August 21 |
03.09 | Narrator | Radio Prague is on the air throughout the night, broadcasting a special announcement of the Czechoslovak Communist Party |
03:17 | Radio Prague | To all people of the Czechoslovak socialist republic. Yesterday at 11 pm the armed forces of the Soviet Union, Polish people’s republic, German Democratic Republic, Hungarian people’s republic and the Bulgarian People’s Republic have crossed the borders of the Czechoslovakian Socialist Republic. This happened without the knowledge of the President of the Republic, Chairman of the National Assembly. Prime Minister, first secretary of the party as well as the organisations they represent. |
03:56 | Narrator | The central building of Radio Prague is still in the hands of the government. It was here that in May 1945 the Czech patriots fought the Nazis for the control of free broadcasting. Now again, tanks are approaching. There aim is clear. It is also clear to these people. |
04:24 | Narrator | But perhaps this is a misunderstanding. Perhaps it might be explained. What is there to conquer here with tanks? Not a single shot has been fired here since the beginning of the Czechoslovak liberal reform, |
04:49 | Narrator | There is not and never has been any counter revolution. Can these soldiers understand this? |
05:05 | Narrator | Against the overwhelming force which at this moment is about to crush our country we have only our truth. All we are guilty of is our longing to create a socialist system of our own, a socialism with a human face. Why do they try to stop us? What are they trying to make of us? Shall we become, be it only for a moment, the mouse that roared? |
05:45 | CAPTION | SEVEN DAYS TO REMEMBER |
05:53 | Narrator | The Prague airport was occupied by paratroopers shortly after midnight. Soviet cargo planes continued bringing in a heavy battle equipment. The recently completed international airport was having its premier in the style of Franz Kafka. |
06:16 | Narrator | The building of the central committee of the party. 8 am. Soon after midnight, a black vorgalleon machine of the Soviet embassy led the first detachment of paratroopers to this building. By then, the party secretary Dubček, the chairman of the national assembly, Smrkovský, Prime Minister Černík and other leaders had already been detained by the Soviet secret service. |
06:51 | The troops are still coming, occupying all important points, blocking all main arteries. Step by step, all life of the city is being crippled but why? | |
07:02 | CAPTION | Why are you here? Why? |
07:06 | CAPTION | You wanted a better life for us? That’s lovely! |
07:12 | CAPTION | You are fascists here, you’re behaving like in Greece! |
07:17 | CAPTION | From where? From Leningrad. I had a friend there… |
07:26 | CAPTION | It would be better for us if tanks came from, say, Germany, because we know that is our enemy – and you are our allies, you’ve dealt a heavy blow to this alliance! |
07:40 | Narrator | Of course, discussions lead nowhere |
07:43 | CAPTION | But you had to see that everything was quiet here! |
07:43 | Narrator | Still, the soldiers are beginning to realise that there is a discrepancy between what they are hearing and seeing for themselves and the propaganda they have been fed |
08:05 | CAPTION | We had complete freedom, freedom of speech, of expression… |
08:09 | Narrator | There is a shade of disappointment on the Russian faces. Why don’t these people welcome us as their protectors? |
08:17 | CAPTION | August 20 of this year… history will write about it, it was a mistake! |
08:25 | CAPTION | What did they tell you? Why are you here? |
08:29 | Narrator | The army is not trained to be a debating society. The army is there to obey orders<span style="fon |