740.00119 European War 1939/2305: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 20—8:43 a.m.]
924. Your 619, March 17, midnight. I asked Molotov tonight orally why the Soviet Government was reluctant to have the question [Page 317] of the surrender terms for Bulgaria submitted for consideration by the European Advisory Commission at this time.
Molotov explained that his Government considered it was too early to discuss Bulgarian surrender terms as the Allied forces were not approaching Bulgaria, Turkey had not agreed to come into the war, and there were no hopeful internal developments that had come to his knowledge. When I explained that you considered it would be useful to exchange views on the subject and be ready for any contingency, he agreed but said at the present time there were more active questions. He asked me whether I had any new information about Bulgaria to which I replied in the negative.
He stated that they were planning to ask their Minister in Bulgaria46 to come to Moscow for consultation and that he would give me any information that developed from his trip. He gave me no indication that the Soviet Government was reluctant to join discussions with the British and ourselves on Bulgarian surrender terms though [through] the medium of the Advisory Commission except on the question of timing.
He asked me specifically to inquire from you what information you had on the developments within Bulgaria. I believe it would be helpful if you would advise me what information you have on this subject for transmission to Molotov.
Is there any further action you wish me to take at this time? I got the impression from my talk this evening that Molotov wanted to watch developments and obtain more information before he started discussion with us on surrender terms.
- Alexander Andreyevich Lavrishchev.↩