Press Release, Statement by the President

sect STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT Four years ago today the Communis ts seized control of the free country of Czechoslovakia. By infiltrating every important branch of the government, they had strangled all sources of inde- pendent opposition in that nation -- all but one -- the students and young people. In the last few hours of Czechoslovakia's freedom, more than five thousand students of Charles University marched toward their President's house to plead with him to save their country from the Communists. But before they could reach their destination, Communist police fired into the orderly crowd, wounding several students. February 25th should be a very special day for the young men and women of all nations. Let it serve as a symbol -- a reminder of youth's determination and will to resist, in the face of hopeless odds. But let it also serve as a warning to all people, young ARCHIVES /INATIONAL HECORDS SERVICE** community and old, who are so fortunate that they still have their freedom. Since February 25, 1948, the world has learned the lessons of Czechoslovakia. The world has learned that Communism is aggressive - that Communism means conquest, oppression and slavery. Four years ago the students of Charles University taught us that we must do more than resist -- we must be prepared to resist. We are putting this lesson of collective security into practice in Korea, in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Pacific defense treaties.