Memorandum From Under Secretary Rostow to Secretary Rusk
Department of State FRUS briefing Secret; Exdis
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Verbatim passages
My feeling is that the time for possible deterrence is very short—a matter of four or five days.
Eugene Rostow — FRUS 1964-68 v17 D67, Department of State, 1968-07-20 · From the attached informal memorandum of the same date
The possibility of Russian military intervention in Czechoslovakia is a matter of basic concern to the United States. Ambassador Thompson and others think the risk is increasing.
Eugene Rostow — FRUS 1964-68 v17 D67, Department of State, 1968-07-20
Document metadata
| Reference | FRUS 1964-68 v17 D67 |
|---|---|
| Originating body | Department of State — Eugene Rostow |
| Date | 1968-07-20 |
| Document type | briefing |
| Classification | Secret; Exdis |
| Archive | Foreign Relations of the United States — Office of the Historian (US) |
| Provenance | The high-water mark of pre-invasion alarm inside the State Department |
Claims this document bears on
supports
documented
Soviet military intervention in Czechoslovakia was becoming likely during the summer of 1968.
Assessments recorded from this document
- Department of State — high (1968-07-20) · "the risk is increasing" / "four or five days"