Office of the Historian

874.01/9–544: Telegram

The Consul General at Istanbul (Berry) to the Secretary of State

Istanbul, September 5, 1944—8 p.m.
[Received September 6—9:55 p.m.]

524R116. Bulgarian Prime Minister Konstantin Muraviev made a statement last night on the policy of his newly-formed Government; it may be summarized as follows:

1.
Coming into office at a difficult moment, government has brought together principal political leaders who have opposed pro-Axis policy.
2.
Toleration of all races and religions, constitutional liberties of Bulgarian citizens will be restored.
3.
Full amnesty will be accorded those imprisoned for opposing the dictators.
4.
All Fascistic institutions imposed by influences from abroad will be dissolved.
5.
Twenty-fifth Parliament will be finally dissolved in view of its responsibility for dragging the country into a war which the people never desired.
6.
Government will give full attention to stabilizing the currency, arranging supply of food, fuel and clothing, other initial affairs.
7.
German [Armistice?] negotiations with England and America approved and will be continued.
8.
Bulgarian troops continue to withdraw from Serbia.
9.
[Apparent omission] actions of previous Government in beginning peace [efforts with?] Russia seeking to improve their relations to point that is natural between a liberator and the liberated.
10.
Efforts will be made to restore friendly diplomatic relations with popular governments of Bulgaria’s neighbors (presumably including Tito and Papandreou governments61).
11.
As a prime consideration Government will continue sincere and friendly relations with [apparent omission] troops will soon complete their retreat from country. Thenceforth, neutral attitude to all nations will be Government’s policy unless Germans by their actions force a break in diplomatic relations.
12.
Prime Minister called for full support of nation for this program.

Berry
  1. Marshal Tito (Josip Broz), military leader of the Partisan guerrilla forces in Yugoslavia and President of the National Liberation Movement in that country, and George Papandreou, Greek Prime Minister.↩