Prague Embassy cable, Demonstrations in Prague and Other Czechoslovak Cities November 20

November 17 set in motion a dramatic train of events in Czechoslovakia. But for the first few days their direction remained unclear. This U.S. embassy report on the situation through November 20 highlighted some of the unresolved issues. To begin with, the protests lacked a definite leader. By mid-week Civic Forum would claim that right, but on Monday several candidates were vying for the position, including reform communist Vasil Mohorita, the first high-ranking party member to publicly support the protests. For the moment, Mohorita's defection was exceptional. On Monday the party rallied its members to the offensive. However, it was unclear how far it would (or could) go to stop the popular protests. The statement that the Communist leadership did not want confrontation but "could not agree to the violation of the Constitution" indicated that the option of violence remained open; whether that option remained realistic was another matter. Soviet Press Director Gennady Gerasimov's comments confirmed the Soviets would not help suppress a popular uprising and Czechoslovak forces might refuse to attack their fellow citizens. Still, the party thought it had a few cards left to play. Although unrest was spreading, the opposition had not yet consolidated support in smaller towns and villages. If the party maintained a strong position there, it could isolate Prague and quell the uprising. Once again, these documents reflect the choatic and confused nature of the changes rolling across Eastern Europe in 1989.