Ambassador Obsitnik Commemorates 40th Anniversary of Violent End to Prague Spring

August 22, 2008

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, ending the Prague Spring, Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik stopped by Šafárikovo square in Bratislava on August 21 to view an exhibit of photographs by Ladislav Bielik. While he visited the square, TA3 interviewed Ambassador Obsitnik. As he told the reporter, when he woke up on August 21, 1968, and learned that Soviet tanks had invaded Czechoslovakia, he was sad and angry, but also proud of those who resisted the Soviet invasion; far too many died, were sent to prison or were forced into exile at the time. In a reference to the current tensions in Georgia, Ambassador Obsitnik said, “For those too young to remember the events of 1968 personally, I want to say this: We must never forget that such tragedies are still possible, and that we can prevent them only if we remain vigilant and active in support of democratic values and human rights.” Ambassador Obsitnik concluded by saying that as we commemorate the sacrifices of 1968, we should also celebrate the fact that Slovaks now enjoy personal freedom and rule of law – values shared by the United States, NATO, and the EU.

• View Ambassador Obsitnik’s interview on TA3

We encourage you to view a new photo gallery on the 40th anniversary of Prague Spring.