Minister of Defence P. Gajdoš honours the victims of the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia
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- Date: 21.08.2018
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Slovak Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš today (21 August) paid tribute to the memory of the victims who put up resistance against the invasion of the Warsaw Pact Armies into Czechoslovakia on 21 August 1968 during a ceremony in Bratislavaʼs Šafárik Square.
Reflecting on the people who stood up against the invasion force, Minister Gajdoš said:“50 years ago the victims we today remember decided not to back down but to resist. Aware of the threat of death, in decisive moments they defended our country and society with their own bodies. For that, we owe them our gratitude and recognition. We honour their memory and we will never forget them.” He went on to give credit to Alexander Dubček for bringing humanity to Czechoslovak politics, with a view to promoting social equality.
The Warsaw Pact Armies launched the invasion of Czechoslovakia on the night of 20/21 August 1968. In addition to Soviet Army soldiers, Operation Danube saw the deployment of troops from Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and the Democratic Republic of Germany. At least 108 people died and hundreds of Czechoslovak citizens were injured as a result of the occupation.
The occupation of Czechoslovakia was aimed at halting the democratisation process of the socialist regime spearheaded by Alexander Dubček. This afternoon, Minister Gajdoš will also pay tribute to this prominent Slovak politician, statesman and key figure of the Prague Spring at the ʽNightingaleʼs Valleyʼ Cemetery, Bratislava where he rests in peace.
Reflecting on the people who stood up against the invasion force, Minister Gajdoš said:“50 years ago the victims we today remember decided not to back down but to resist. Aware of the threat of death, in decisive moments they defended our country and society with their own bodies. For that, we owe them our gratitude and recognition. We honour their memory and we will never forget them.” He went on to give credit to Alexander Dubček for bringing humanity to Czechoslovak politics, with a view to promoting social equality.
The Warsaw Pact Armies launched the invasion of Czechoslovakia on the night of 20/21 August 1968. In addition to Soviet Army soldiers, Operation Danube saw the deployment of troops from Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and the Democratic Republic of Germany. At least 108 people died and hundreds of Czechoslovak citizens were injured as a result of the occupation.
The occupation of Czechoslovakia was aimed at halting the democratisation process of the socialist regime spearheaded by Alexander Dubček. This afternoon, Minister Gajdoš will also pay tribute to this prominent Slovak politician, statesman and key figure of the Prague Spring at the ʽNightingaleʼs Valleyʼ Cemetery, Bratislava where he rests in peace.
