← The Soviet-Led Invasion of Czechoslovakia, 1968

The "request" for intervention from Czechoslovak officials was a pretext rather than an act of the Czechoslovak government.

corroboratedconfidence: high

The letter exists and is signed by five named individuals; the President recorded that the Czechoslovak government was never told.

Supporting and corroborating evidence

Only with your assistance can the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic be extricated from the imminent danger of counterrevolution.

Biľak, Kolder, Indra, Švestka, Kapek — WILSON-LETTER-OF-INVITATION, Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (anti-reformist faction), 1968-08-01 · source ↗

I am amazed that Dobrynin told me it was at the request of the Czech government and the Czech government was never told.

President Lyndon Johnson — FRUS 1964-68 v17 D81, NSC, 1968-08-20 · source ↗

Context

The Secretary said that the US has no information to support the idea that any non-socialist country is involved in, or is contemplating, any aggression against Czechoslovakia.

Dean Rusk — FRUS 1964-68 v17 D82, Department of State, 1968-08-21 · source ↗