874.002/182: Telegram
The Consul General at Istanbul (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
367R83. The attitude of Bulgarian officials in Turkey toward the Bagryanov Cabinet and the official explanation of the general situation in Bulgaria at the present moment are presented in the following statements made by a prominent Bulgarian now in Istanbul on an official mission.
The Cabinet is both led and dominated by Bagryanov whose policy of national preservation was expressed in general terms in his statement of June 3rd. This statement remains fundamental to an understanding of present policies.
Bagryanov is exercising close control over foreign affairs. Foreign Minister Draganov is responsible primarily for the general administration of the office rather than for policy making. Draganov is valuable in this capacity particularly because his wide diplomatic experience during the last 6 years has made him something of an authority on Axis policy and views as understood and interpreted both within and outside of Germany and Axis-dominated countries.
The internal situation is regarded as reasonably satisfactory and considerably improved over a month or two ago. This improvement is shown by the recent order of Bagryanov revoking the special powers exercised hitherto by the military authorities in areas in which Partisans [and] other opposition elements have been active. According to Bagryanov’s new order, all Partisans and other disturbers of the peace when apprehended will be tried in the regular courts in accordance with customary judicial procedure instead of being turned over to military authorities for summary punishment under martial law. This is regarded as an indication that the Government does not now fear any kind of uprising or any movement within Bulgaria comparable to the Tito movement in Yugoslavia. Measures to remove local discontent and to gain internal support for the Government include a proposal for general amnesty of political offenders, the recent announcement of an increase of 30% to 50% in the prices of principal farm products and an increase of 30% to 50% in salaries of Government employees. These measures are regarded as realistic and effective as contrasted with ineffective propaganda scheme of the Bozhilov government known as “obshtestvenasila” or social strength.
Bulgarian policy is now being directed toward improving relations with Soviets. Progress in this direction is believed to have been made since Bagryanov came into office. A straw showing the direction of the current in this respect is seen in the fact that Russian [Page 340] music is now frequently broadcast by the Sofia radio. The strong Anglo-American influence in Greece and Yugoslavia and the popular sentiment in both countries toward Anglo-Americans is regarded by Bulgarians as a sufficient guarantee of some Soviet favor toward Bulgaria and as indicating the policy which Bulgaria in her own interest must pursue toward Russia. Regarding Macedonia and Thrace, it is believed Bagryanov will follow a course of political expediency, the army continues to exercise the strongest single influence on the Government and the Government can take no important decision without the tacit consent of the army. However, the degree of unity among military leaders and in army sentiment is not great enough to permit an open break with Germany at the present moment through a coup d’état or an attempt to deprive the Germans of all control within the country. Bulgarians believe that some weeks will still elapse before it is necessary for their Government to take irrevocable decisions in one direction or another. They think the crisis for Bulgaria will come if and when the Red Army invades Rumania and Anglo-American forces land east of the Adriatic. They think this combination of events will not occur before Anglo-American forces have occupied northern Italy. Meanwhile they believe the Bagryanov Cabinet will continue to build up the internal unity of the country, further cultivate Moscow but not break altogether with Germany until the day of final decision arrives.
Repeated to Amrep Algiers for Murphy as my No. 32 and true reading sent to MacVeagh in Cairo.