740.00119 EW/7–2144: Telegram
The Consul General at Istanbul (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:49 p.m.]
429R91. The following is a paraphrased translation of a document brought back from Sofia yesterday by Balabanov, Bulgarian Minister to Turkey. It was given by him to our confidential informant (reference my telegram No. 400 of July 6, 5 p.m.) for transmission to the American Government as foreseen in the above telegram. The translation was made by Dr. Black formerly on the staff of this office, from the original which is unsigned and is retained by the informant.
Begin paraphrase: The Bulgarian Government’s policy in its main lines was set forth in the speech of the Prime Minister (see my telegram No. 339 of June 8, 5 p.m.). From this speech it is evident that the fate of Bulgaria rests entirely in Bulgarian hands. The policy of the Government will be directed exclusively to the interests of Bulgaria. The ultimate purpose of this policy will be to get Bulgaria out of the war as conditions make this purpose possible having in view a situation favorable to future peace.
Toward the end of solving national problems by practical peaceful means the Government is moving with all possible speed. Among its decisive achievements within the short time since it came into office the following are enumerated:
- 1.
- German transit trains across Bulgarian territory to Rumania have been reduced from eight a week to one a week and within a short time the one remaining train will be discontinued. Hence Bulgaria has ceased to be a transit area for German military transport.
- 2.
- At the demand of the Government the Germans have withdrawn all their offensive military forces from the Black Sea coast and from Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Government has made it possible for the Soviet diplomatic representatives in Bulgaria to verify this fact.
- 3.
- Within the short period of its existence the Government has brought about the rapid internal pacification and social unification of the country as is indicated by the fact that a number of Communist groups have now taken a regular place in the national economy.
- 4.
- The Government now has under consideration the withdrawal of the Bulgarian forces in Serbia, leaving in that country only the minimum units required for the military and political defense of Bulgaria’s frontiers as at present delineated, the Government will endeavor to act in such a way as not to make worse the military and political situation in Bulgaria. It has in view shortly to issue a general amnesty for political offenders. This amnesty is made it [sic] possible by the confidence of the nation in the Government, which will continue to carry on its policy of internal conciliation. In this connection the conditions of the Jews have been very much alleviated. In pursuance of the policy of conciliation toward the Jews, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has already summoned the governing committee of the Jewish community in Bulgaria and given assurance that all Jews will be treated in accordance with the laws of Bulgaria. This assurance was received by the members of the Jewish Committee with lively appreciation.
The Government is doing everything possible to get Bulgaria out of the war, at the same time presenting [preserving?] the vigor and unity of the nation. In pursuance of this purpose it now has under consideration the whole question of the exit of Bulgaria from the war and the development of a policy independent of the Axis, having in view purely Balkan interest. In order to take a definitive decision in this direction it would be most useful to the Government and it would facilitate its decision if it could know the attitude of Washington on Balkan problems and particularly in regard to the position of Bulgaria in the future political arrangement in the Balkans. End paraphrase.
In view of the extreme secrecy which source attaches to this statement, any hint of which might cause the downfall of the Bagryanov government and the advent of a more pro-German regime, I am not repeating it to any other office. Source especially asked that it not be shown to the Russians but no assurance was given of that. Statement on the Jewish situation indicates reaction of Bulgarian Government to strong advices sent to Sofia by source following my informing him of the gist of the Department’s attitude concerning rescue and relief of Jewish Axis Europe. Other views brought back by Balabanov are being forwarded in separate telegram.90
- Infra.↩