Teleprint, Information on the Conclusions of Nation-wide Party Congress held in Prague
Annotation
The Czechoslovak Communist Party faced some unpleasant realities on November 28. The previous day's general strike had seriously weakened its hand. That day's negotiations with opposition leader Civic Forum forced it to accept several devastating conditions, including the removal of its constitutionally-guaranteed domination of state and society. Party members had not yet resigned themselves to their fate, though. As negotiations were proceeding, 3,500 communists met in closed session at the nationwide party congress at Prague's Palace of Culture. The final resolution of this meeting was presented in the teleprint here. Considering the generally pessimistic outlook, delegates were in a fighting spirit. In his speech, newly-elected Secretary General Karel Urbanek called upon communists to continue opposing any forces (including Civic Forum) that attempted to undermine socialism. That spirit also appeared in some of the otherwise-cryptic resolution's items, including the refusal to give up local communist organizations, party property, or the People's Militia (factory-wide worker defense units). By holding onto its material resources, the party could still organize on a local level and infiltrate Civic Forum committees. While the congress didn't prevent the party's fall from power, it did indicate the communists' determination to carve out the best possible position for themselves in the new circumstances.
Text
Teleprint, Information on the Conclusions of Nation-wide Party Congress held in Prague,
28 November 1989
FOR INFORMATION OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE
COMMUNIST PARTY OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA
125 11 Praha 1, Nabrezi Ludvika Svobody 12
Telephone 2199
Telegram address: UVKOMSTRANY
Praha, November 1989
Refer to in answer:
#UV-145/89
Issue:
The Central Committee of the CPS, the regional committees of the CPS, CPCz municipal
committees in Prague and Bratislava district (provincial) committees of the CPS, CPCz
The nation-wide party caucus which took place in Prague on 28 November 1989
reached the following conclusions:
1.The political directive for the plan of action of the entire party over the next few
days is laid out in the speech of the Secretary General at the Nationwide Party Caucus.
The program of the party will be prepared by the Presidium of the CC CPCz and
introduced for discussion in the party.
2.To acquaint every communist with the discussions of the Caucus, and explain
the conclusions of its discussion and seek their fulfillment by communists and other
workers. To strengthen the unity of the party behind the principles of socialism. Trust in
the party must be supported by well thought-out cadre decisions and not by lack of
control and certainly not by pressure.
3. It gives total support and trust to our leadership of the Central Committee and
its Secretary General, comrade Karel Urbanek, during the discussion of the current
problems.
4. The CC CPCz proposes to begin an analysis of the entire forty-year period of
the construction of socialism, especially the years 1968-1969.
5. Engage in an active dialogue and cooperate with all who want to build a
socialist Czechoslovakia. This [includes] those individuals and groups who are
concentrated in the Civic Forum and uphold these positions. To show at the same time
the true side of those who, in the name of the citizens, try to break up the socialist
leadership of our CPCz.
6. To enable the members of the CPCz expelled from of the party in connection
with the developments of the years 1968-1969 to return to the CPCz, as long as they are
in favor of socialism.
7. The date for the [next] Party Congress was approved by the session of the CC
CPCz for 26 January 1989. If the situation demands it, call the congress earlier. The CC
CPCz will decide these questions. It is necessary, however, to immediately initiate the
preparations and to responsibly choose delegates who will carry the responsibility for the
ensuing fate of our party and this country.
8. We refuse the demands for the liquidation of the People’s Militia, basic
organizations in the workplace and the transfer of party property. The People’s Militia are
not aimed against our nation, but are necessary to prevent sabotage and revolutionary
attempts.
9. The main goal at the present is to secure the fulfillment of all the tasks in the
national economy. To ensure the continuation of production, supply, operation of services
and healthcare. The communists must lead by example in these activities.
10. The caucus repudiated the random attacks of the Civic Forum against the
president of the republic, for this function must be protected in accordance with our
Constitution.
11. The reminders which were introduced at the nation-wide party caucus will be
used by the Central Committee of the Party in preparation for the emergency congress
and during the elaboration of the platform of the CPCz.
[Source: SUA, UV, KSC - teleprints and letters, UV-145/89. Obtained by Oldrich Tuma.]
Credits
Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, "Information on the Conclusions of Nation-wide Party Congress," teleprint, Prague, November 28, 1989, Cold War International History Project, Documents and Papers, CWIHP (accessed May 14, 2008).