Czechoslovakia’s Husak Backs Soviet Reforms and Hints He May Follow Suit

Communist Party leader Gustav Husak says that the Prague leadership has endorsed Soviet reforms and that Czechoslovakia will consider following the Kremlin’s lead in some areas.

Husak mentioned the possibility of electing some party leaders by secret ballot and of improving the party’s methods of keeping the public informed.

Husak commented on Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s efforts to carry out reforms at the Wednesday opening of a two-day session of the party Central Committee. The official CTK news agency on Thursday carried a report of his speech.

Husak said that when Gorbachev visits Czechoslovakia next month, the Soviet leader will be welcomed as “a politician who makes new ideas heard.”

Top Leadership Shift

CTK announced one top-level change in the party leadership, the departure of Josef Korcak, 66, a Politburo member and premier of the Czech republic, who resigned for health reasons. He was relaced by Ladislav Adamec, 61, now deputy premier of the Czech republic. The country is divided into Czech and Slovak republics.

The Husak speech appeared to be an attempt to counter reports that the conservative Czechoslovak Communist Party leadership was split on the issue of Gorbachev’s program.

Husak said discussions about Soviet policies at two Politburo sessions in February resulted in “the unanimous support and high evaluation of the significance” for Czechoslovakia of decisions adopted by the Soviet party.

There have been reports that some hard-liners like Politburo member Vasil Bilak oppose any Gorbachev-style innovations.

“Hostile propaganda from abroad is trying to spread fabrications about disputes between the parties of Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union, about disputes in the Czechoslovak Communist Party leadership,” Husak said.

United Stand Stressed

“That is why I am pointing out the united stand taken by the party Presidium.”

According to CTK, Husak declared, “Nobody is forcing upon us” conclusions reached by the Soviets.

Husak said Czechoslovak people “take the results of the (Soviet party’s) January session . . . as an encouragement and inspiration for their work.”

Husak cited “the question” of secret elections to some party posts, which had been suggested by Gorbachev.

Without making any commitment, Husak said, “The statute of our party does not determine how elections are to be held. We shall consider also this question.”

Husak, who is president and party chief, also spoke about “openness in information to which the Politburo attaches great significance,” CTK said.

“We want people to know what is happening in our country, what is being decided and how it is being decided.

Duty to Consult

“It is the duty of all senior officials to consult people and provide them with regular information about tasks and plans, problems and difficulties that need be settled,” he added.

On economic reforms, Husak said the party will consider the possibility of allowing employees of state-run enterprises to elect their own managers.