Resigning Czech Consul Assails Red Regime

Resigning Czech Consul Assails Red Regime

Communist to Succeed Him Here,
Zak-Marusiak Says; Asks Asylum

Jozef Zak-Marusiak, whose resignation as Czechoslovakian consul in Pittsburgh beat his pro-Red government to the punch, charged Saturday that his successors in Pittsburgh will be Communists.

A self-described “career man” in the Czech government, Mr. Zak-Marusiak said he submitted his resignation earlier this month to defeat the Prague regime’s order to have him recalled to his homeland.

“I resigned,” he declared," in protest to my government’s destruction of religeous freedom and its foreign policy, as evidenced by speeches urging allegiance to Communism and the Soviet Union.

"The government wanted me recalled because they knew I was not a Communist and, therefore, they had no faith, no confidence in me. The order to have me recalled was to have been effective July 1. You know, that is a very quick recall—the usual notice is three months.”

With his resignation—and that of three aides—Mr. Zak-Marusiak said he has asked Secretary of State Dean Acheson for permission to remain in this country.

The Czech government, he revealed, has already sent “a sort of policeman named Palma” to reopen the consular offices in the Investment building. Later, he added, a regular consul will be appointed to handle the problems of the 50,000 to 75,000 Americans of Czech descent in the Pittsburgh district.

“I was probably the last representative of the democratic Benes-Mazaryk governments. These men who will come after me will be Communists—not only here in Pittsburgh but all over the country. They want that.

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Ex-Czech Consul Wants to Stay in U.S.

—Post-Gazette Photo

Consul Jozef Zak-Marusiak, son Svit Joseph, Mrs. Zak-Marusiak at Mt. Lebanon home.

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Czech Consul Quits, Blasting Prague Communist Regime

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“I have received nasty note from the Czech ambassador in Washington denying what I said in my letter to him about pressure to be loyal to the Communist Party and Russia.” he said.

Resigning with Mr. Zak-Marusiak and thus closing the office were Mrs. Ludmilla Salay, a secretary; Mathew Gazdik, vice consul, both American citizens, and Ladislav Yankovic, a clerk and Crech subject, who has also petitioned Secretary Acheson for asylym in the United States.

 

Two Sons Served in War

The former consul said he did not know what he would do to support himself now. He has two sons, both of whom served as officers in the United States Army during World War II.

His resignation, he said, prevents him from receiving a pension he has been contributing toward in his 29 years with the Czech government.

“I kept going in my position for as long as I could because I thought it was important. Now,” he said, “I must keep going.”

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