Czechoslovakia: Outcry in Purgatory

Suddenly, Czechs in Prague and other cities have been snatching up news papers as if they were priceless manu scripts. The normally routine and propagandistic Rudé Právo is usually sold out by midmorning; people regularly besiege kiosks for the livelier afternoon papers. Others have taken to telephoning government agencies, radio and TV stations for information. Cafes are packed as customers argue over their foamy beer. The cause of the excitement is the transformation that is occurring in Czechoslovakia under Alexander Dubček, 46, who only in January ousted Antonín Novotný as boss of the country's Communist Party. Last...

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