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Czech Dinner Toast 11/90 [OA 4424]
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323154654
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Czech Dinner Toast 11/90 [OA 4424]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mary Kate Grant Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Grant, Mary Kate, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1991
OA/ID Number:
13879
Folder ID Number:
13879-008
Folder Title:
Czech Dinner Toast, 11/90
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
19
2
7
4
33 1
1990-11-07 11:23
G3 ST
P2
November 7, 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
BOB SJMON RS
SUBJECT:
PRAGUE SPEECHES
General
0
Czechoslovakia is made up of two separate states: Czech and Slova-
kia. It is a sensitive subject with the Slovaks that the President
is not visiting Slovakia, so he should say "I wish I had time to
visit Slovakia (or Bratislava, their biggest city), When referring
to the people, always refer to Czechs and Slovaks, not just Czechs.
O
The people are friendly, wear Western style clothing, and like
Americans very much.
The economy is better than Poland; there is merchandise to buy.
However, they have almost no experience with private retailing
like in Hungary, Thev are about to undergo a wrenching switch
to canitalism. Havel is a populist. He says, "Whv should the
people suffer? They did nothing wrong, However, Havel's new
finanaco minister urges a quick change to private enterprise.
It will be painful, but should succeed,
o
J saw no evidence of 40 years of communist rule on the streets,
No red stars, No hammers and sickels. No communist statues.
0
Praque is a stunningly beautiful city on a level with Paris and
Budapest. There is a mixture of medieval, gothic, Baroque and
Classical architecture that is unique in Europe, However, all
of the buildings are covered in heavy soot from the heavy use
of coal. If cleaned, Prague would, rank high on a list of
Europe's wonders. The Czech's saw, "Don't judge us now. Wait
five vears. It will take longer, butthey should make a lot of
progress.
0
The U.S. is hold in high regard, Woodrow Wilson was considered
crucial in Corming the country in. 1918. They also appreciate us
for standing un against communism; particular during the Prague
Spring in 68, They are not expecting lots of $$$ but do want
technical assistance and advice. Radio Free Eurone is also
credited with keeping the dissident movement going.
0
The press is now totally free. I saw a Playboy-style Czech
calendar on sale in the Metro station under Menceslas Square
for $1.30. (Didn't buy it.)
33 1
1990-11-07 11:24
G3 ST
P3
- 2 -
ADDRESS mO FEDERAL ASSEMBLY
This should be 12-15 minutes on teleprompter. About 300
legislators will be seated in an austore, modern auditorium. The
building, built bv the communists, is modern and fairly ugly. The
only interesting item is that the new government installed two busts
in the entry lobby of Thomas G. Masaryk and M.R. Stefanik. Masaryk
was the country's first President. Stefanik was general under Masaryk.
They are considered the founders of the country.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE IN WENCESLAS SQUARE
The address should be 5-8 minutes on cards. Translation will
be consecutive. The site is directly in front of the statue of
St. Wenceslas on his horse. Directly in front of the stage is the
informal memorial created by the people to commemorate those slain
bv Soviet tanks in the Sqare in 1968. Fresh flowers and nhotos of
the martvrs lay on a circle of bare ground about 15 feet in diameter.
Surrounding the photos are 8 inch mounds of molten wax formed by
23 years of candles being burned more or less constantly. Several times
the memorial was wibed away in 68, only to reappear, Eventually,
the communists gave un trying to climinate it, (Check this,)
Wenceslas Square is the spiritual and emotional heart of this
nation. It is the grandest boulevard in Prague. It is the heart
of the commercial district, It is where the Soviet tanks rolled in
to crush dissent in 68. It is where the Velvet Revolution peacefully
overthrew the communists in 89, King Menceslas was also the
originator of Czech nationalism several centuries ago. It was suggested
to me that the speech be built around the phrase: "The history of
freedom was written here," This should go over well, Maybe the
President could say it in Czech? J don' know if it's pronounceable,
A crowd of 50,000 to 100,000 is planned, Maybe more will come,
EMBASSY GREETING
Ambassador Black packs a 357 magnum when she takes her dog for
a walk in her back yard, The President mentioned her marksmanship
skills in his Glynco, GA speech last year, The dog; a boxer, is named
Gorhy, (Jokes I just had a summit meeting with Gorby.) Black said
she hones the USSS puts lights in the back vard because, it's very
dark at night. Acknowledge Admin, officer Frank Coulter, & DCM Ted Russell.
GENERAL
Call Tom Hull at US Embassv and ask him for a list of communist
place names that have been changed in the last year, Also, check to
see if the Railroad Station has been renamed, It was originally
named for President Wilson, nut the communists eliminated that name,
The new government may rename it for Wilson soon,
The garden behind the US Embassy slopes up a terraced hill that
is topped by a little portico called a glorietta, Aton it flies the
American flag. Near the top of this hill, the flag is visible throughout
33 1
1990-11-07 11:24
G3 ST
P4
- 3 -
much of Prague and is also clearly visible from the Castle where the
President's office is. OVer the last 40 years, it was both a source
of hope for the citizens and a thorn in the side of the Communist
rulers as Old Glory flew on the second highest hill in Prague.
GERMANY UPDATE
Disregard my note vesterday about the Gorman schedule changing.
According to Keller, nothing has changed and we are still doing the
brief remarks in Spever.
PARIS
Paris is very expensive but beatiful. Saw the Arc deTriomphe
last night and went un in the Eiffel Tower. I'm not impressed by
much anymore, but the Eiffel Tower is really cool, especially at
night. Today, we go to Versailles. That should be great.
By the way, the only remarks in Paris is an Embassy greeting
on 11/21 in the a.m. See the President's remarks, from last year.
Acknowledge Amb, Falter Curley, DCM Mark Lissfelt, and Administrative
Minister-Counsclor Bruce Clark. The President will overnight at
Curley's residence. (It's at least as fancy as the White House,
maybe more so.)
The President's schedule consists of a lot of plenary sessions
of the CSCE, treaty signings and bilaterals, On the 1st day, there
is lunch at Elysee Palace. On the 2nd night, a dinner at Versailles,
Unless you are still writing for Saudi Arabia, I. would estimate
quite a bit of free time while in Paris, (The dollar is dropping;
buy your francs now!)
No report tomorrow, we are travelling to Saudi all day long.
Bob
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 14, 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON civ
FROM:
MARY KATE GRANT mkg
SUBJECT:
CZECHOSLOVAKIAN DINNER TOAST
Attached for your review is a draft toast for the dinner in
Prague to be held on November 17, 1990, hosted by U.S. Ambassador
Shirley Temple Black at the American Embassy.
The toast celebrates the one year anniversary of the Velvet
Revolution, and applauds the bright future of Czechoslovakia.
Grant/Dooley
November 13, 1990
9:30 a.m.
A:CZECH.TOA
PRESIDENTIAL TOAST: CZECHOSLOVAKIA DINNER
AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
First of all, my sincere thanks to our hostess, Ambassador
Shirley Temple Black, for her warm hospitality.
I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit the Czech
and Slovak Federal Republic, and to see first-hand the remarkable
changes taking place here. I always enjoy seeing President
Havel, and we have spent a glorious day together -- going from
the Federal Assembly to Wenceslas Square, the place where the
"Velvet Revolution" first began.
For it was there, a year ago tonight that thirty thousand
students gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
death of a Czech student -- killed at the hands of the Nazis in
another protest, that time on the eve of World War II. One
student spoke of the courage of those brave Czechs who gave their
lives fighting aggression. He said, "We are remembering our
predecessors, who did not hesitate to give their lives for what
they believed in at that time."
That night a year ago, the Czechoslovak protestors honored
their predecessors but also showed us something else: that the
power of the people is invincible.
And over the last year, you've formed a new constitution,
renamed this great country, and held the first democratic
elections in more than four decades. You have moved your
2
revolution from the streets into the houses of parliament and the
halls of government. You have inspired the world.
We Americans, who helped in the creation of Czechoslovakia,
share your joy and your sense of excitement.
The road ahead will be difficult. But you will not journey
alone. And I am confident that the Czech and Slovak peoples will
meet the challenges before them -- and triumph.
So let us all lift our glasses. I now propose a toast: To
the power of your people, and to the power of the friendship
between our two great nations.
# # #
Grant/Dooley
November 14, 1990
2:00 a.m.
A:CZECH.TOA
PRESIDENTIAL TOAST: CZECHOSLOVAKIA DINNER
AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
First of all, my sincere thanks to our hostess, Ambassador
Shirley Temple Black, for her warm hospitality.
I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit the Czech
and Slovak Federal Republic, and to see first-hand the remarkable
changes taking place here. I always enjoy seeing President
Havel, and we have spent a glorious day together -- going from
the Federal Assembly to Wenceslas Square, the place where the
:
:
"Velvet Revolution" first began.
For it was there, a year ago tonight that thousands of
students sought to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death
of a Czech student -- killed at the hands of the Nazis in another
protest, that time on the eve of World War II. One student spoke
of the courage of those brave Czechs who gave their lives
fighting aggression. He said, "We are remembering our
predecessors, who did not hesitate to give their lives for what
they believed in at that time."
Your courageous patriots in world War II taught us that
appeasement toward an aggressor does not pay. And today
multinational forces are standing up to aggression elsewhere in
the world. Because of bitter lessons learned at Munich in 1938,
all now agree: there will be no appeasement this time.
2
That night a year ago, the Czechoslovak protestors honored
their predecessors but also showed us something else: that the
power of the people is invincible.
And over the last year, you've renamed this great country,
and held the first democratic elections in more than four
decades. You have moved your revolution from the streets into
the houses of parliament and the halls of government. You have
inspired the world.
We Americans, who helped in the creation of Czechoslovakia,
when this century was still young, share your joy and your sense
of excitement.
The road ahead will be difficult. But you will not journey
alone. And I am confident that the Czech and Slovak peoples will
meet the challenges before them -- and triumph.
So let us all lift our glasses. I now propose a toast: To
the power of your people, and to the power of the friendship
between our two great nations.
# # #