740.00119 EAC/7–1344
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom
(Winant)
to the Secretary of
State
No. 16837
London, July 13,
1944.
[Received July 18—4:24 p.m.]
Sir: With reference to Comea 69 of July
13, in connection with terms of surrender for Bulgaria, I have the
honor to transmit a draft memorandum on the same subject which the
British Representative on the European Advisory Commission intends
to circulate in the Commission within a few days.
The United States Representative plans shortly thereafter to
circulate a memorandum embodying the substance of WS–162b, “Proposed
Terms of Surrender for Bulgaria”, subject to the Department’s
approval of the changes suggested in the telegram under reference.
When both papers have been circulated the Soviet Representative will
be invited to express his views. Presumably the next step would be
to work out a single document representing the recommendations of
the Commission.
It is believed that the United States proposals will tie in with the
British “conditions”, which are phrased in such broad language as to
be applicable to almost any situation regardless of the time of the
surrender of Bulgaria. It is understood that the British will be
willing to approach the subject from the point of view of the United
States paper, that is, to consider now the terms to be applied in
the event Bulgaria withdraws from the war before the defeat of
Germany is imminent.
Respectfully yours,
For the Ambassador:
E. Allan Lightner, Jr.
Secretary, U. S. Delegation European Advisory
Commission
[Enclosure]
Surrender Terms for Bulgaria: Memorandum
by U.K. Representative87
The E.A.C. has been instructed to submit its recommendations on
the subject of surrender terms for Bulgaria.
- 2.
- Whilst the detailed requirements of the Allies will depend
on the circumstances in which the surrender of Bulgaria
takes place, there are certain basic conditions which
Bulgaria must in any case fulfil. It should thus be possible
to agree now on an Instrument of Surrender
[Page 347]
which sets out these
conditions and provides in addition for the necessary powers
to ensure the execution of those terms and such further
requirements as the Allies may wish to impose.
- 2 [3].
- I accordingly suggest that the Instrument of Surrender for
Bulgaria should provide for:—
- (a)
- Withdrawal of Bulgarian troops, officials and
intruded persons from all Allied territory at
present occupied by Bulgaria.
- (b)
- Release of Allied prisoners-of-war and
internees.
- (c)
- Restoration of Allied property and reparation for
war damage.
- (d)
- Apprehension and surrender of war
criminals.
- (e)
- Rupture of relations with Germany and other enemy
powers, internment of their troops and nationals,
and control of their property.
- (f)
- Allied use or occupation of Bulgarian territory,
(including occupation costs).
- (g)
- Bulgarian compliance with Allied instructions
relating to disarmament and demobilisation and the
surrender, disposal, use or control of war material,
property, resources and facilities in or belonging
to Bulgaria.
- (h)
- Supply of information.
- (i)
- Appointment of an Allied Control Commission or
Allied representatives in Bulgaria.
- 4.
- If the surrender of Bulgaria takes place at a moment when
action by Bulgaria could contribute materially towards
hastening Germany’s defeat it would be necessary to specify
what form such action should take: for instance sabotage of
German communications, interference with supplies for
Germany, assistance to partisan activities; or an
undertaking that the Bulgarian army would defend Bulgarian
territory against German attack. As an inducement to the
Bulgarian Government to take such action, the Allied
Governments might, without according Bulgaria the status of
co-belligerency, give her certain assurances: for instance
that they recognise that Bulgaria would henceforward be in a
position to work her passage home and that account would be
taken in determining the peace terms to be ultimately
imposed on Bulgaria of her contribution towards hastening
Germany’s defeat.
