Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

740.00119 E.W./10–1844: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, October 18, 1944—9 p.m.
[Received 11:59 p.m.]

8905. Following is the text of Bulgarian armistice and protocol as agreed between the experts of the three delegations today for concordance with Russian text received today from Moscow. For textual changes refer to my 8547, October 10, 1 [8] p.m. Text follows:

“Title: Agreement Between the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America, on the One Hand, and the Government of Bulgaria, on the Other Hand, Concerning an Armistice.

Preamble. The Government of Bulgaria accept the armistice terms presented by the Governments of the United Kingdom, the USSR and the United States of America, acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria. Accordingly, the representative of the Soviet High Command, General . . . . . , and the representative of the Supreme Allied Command in the Mediterranean, General . . . . . , duly authorized thereto by the Governments of the United Kingdom, the USSR and the United States of America, on the one hand, and the representatives of the Government of Bulgaria, furnished with due powers, on the other hand have signed the following terms:

• 1. (a) Bulgaria having ceased hostilities with the USSR on (date) and severed relations with Germany on (date) and with her satellites on (date), will cease hostilities against all the other United Nations.
• 1. (b) Bulgaria undertakes to disarm the German Armed Forces in Bulgaria and hand them over as prisoners of war. The Government of Bulgaria also undertake to intern nationals of Germany and her satellites.
• 1. (c) The Government of Bulgaria undertake to maintain and make available such land, sea and air forces as may be specified for service under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command. Such forces must not be used on Allied territory except with the prior consent of the Allied Government concerned.
• 1. (d) On the conclusion of hostilities against Germany the Bulgarian Armed Forces must be demobilized and put on peace footing under the supervision of the Allied Control Commission.
• 2. Bulgarian Armed Forces and officials have been withdrawn within the specified time limit from the territory of Greece and Yugoslavia in accordance with the precondition accepted by the Government of Bulgaria on (date); the Bulgarian authorities must immediately take steps to withdraw from Greek and Yugoslav territory Bulgarians who were citizens of Bulgaria on January 1, 1941 and to repeal all legislative and administrative provisions relating to the annexation or incorporation in Bulgaria of Greek and Yugoslav territory.
• 3. The Government of Bulgaria will afford to Soviet and other Allied forces freedom of movement over Bulgarian territory in any direction, if, in the opinion of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, the military situation so requires, the Government of Bulgaria giving to such movements every assistance with their own means of communication, and at their own expense, by land, water and in the air.”

In articles IV, V, VII and X of text given in my 8547, October 10, 1 [8] p.m., change “Bulgarian Government” to “Government of Bulgaria”. In article IV, change “transport” to “transportation”. In article V, change “irrespective” to “regardless”. Otherwise articles IV, V, VI, VII, X, XVI and XIX remain the same. Conclusion remains the same except substitution of Moscow for Ankara. Continuation of text.

• “8. The publication, introduction and distribution of [in] Bulgaria of periodical or nonperiodical literature, the presentation of theatrical performances of films, the operation of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone services will take place in agreement with the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
• 9. The Government of Bulgaria will restore all property of the United Nations and their nationals, including Greek and Yugoslav property, and will make such reparation for loss and damage caused by the war to the United Nations, including Greece and Yugoslavia, as may be determined later.
• 11. The Government of Bulgaria undertake to return to the Soviet Union, and to Greece and Yugoslavia and to other United Nations, by the dates specified by the Allied Control Commission and in a good state of preservation, all valuables and materials removed during the war by Germany or Bulgaria from United Nations territory and belonging to state, public or cooperative organizations, enterprises, institutions or individual citizens, such as factory and work equipment, locomotives, rolling-stock, tractors, motor vehicles, historic monuments, museum treasures and any other property.
• 12. The Government of Bulgaria undertake to hand over as booty to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all war material of Germany and her satellites located on Bulgarian territory, including vessels in the fleets of Germany and her satellites located in Bulgarian waters.
• 13. The Government of Bulgaria undertake not to permit the removal or expropriation of any form of property (including valuables and currency belonging to Germany or Hungary or to their nationals or to persons resident in their territories or in territories occupied by them, without the permission of the Allied Control Commission. The Government of Bulgaria will safeguard such property in the manner specified by the ACC.
• 14. The Government of Bulgaria undertake to hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all vessels belonging to the United Nations which are in Bulgarian ports no matter at whose disposal these vessels may be, for the use of the Allied (Soviet) High Command during the war against Germany or Hungary in the common interest of the Allies, the vessels to be returned subsequently to their owners. The Government of Bulgaria will bear full material responsibility for any damage to or destruction of the aforesaid property up to the moment of its transfer to the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
• 15. Bulgaria must make regular payments in Bulgarian currency and must supply goods (fuel, foodstuffs, et cetera), quantities and services as may be required by the Allied (Soviet) High Command for the discharge of its functions.
• 17. The Government of Bulgaria will arrange, in case of need, for the utilization in Bulgarian territory of industrial and transport enterprises and means of communication, power stations, public utility enterprises and facilities, stocks of fuel and other materials in accordance with instructions issued during the armistice by the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
• 18. For the whole period of the armistice there will be established in Bulgaria an Allied Control Commission which will regulate and supervise the execution of the armistice terms under the chairmanship of the representative of the Allied (Soviet) High Command and with the participation of representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States. During the period between the coming into force of the armistice and the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Allied Control Commission will be under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command.”

“Protocol to the agreement concerning an armistice with Bulgaria.

At the time of signing the armistice with the Government of Bulgaria, the Allied Governments signatory thereto have agreed to the following:

1. In connection with article IX it is understood that the Bulgarian Government will immediately make available certain foodstuffs for the relief of the population of Greek and Yugoslav territories which have suffered as a result of Bulgarian aggression. The quantity of each product to be delivered will be determined by agreement between the three Governments, and will be considered as part of the reparation by Bulgaria for the loss and damage sustained by Greece and Yugoslavia.

2. The term ‘war material’ used in article XII shall be deemed to include all material or equipment belonging to, used by, or intended for use by enemy military or paramilitary formations or members thereof.

3. The use by the Allied (Soviet) High Command of Allied vessels handed over by the Government of Bulgaria in accordance with article XIV of the armistice and the date of their return to their owners will be the subject of discussion and settlement between the Allied Government concerned and the Government of the Soviet Union.

4. It is understood that in the application of article XV the Allied (Soviet) High Command will also arrange for the provision of Bulgarian currency, supplies, services et cetera, to meet the needs of the representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States in Bulgaria.

Done at Moscow in triplicate, in the Russian and English languages, both Russian and English texts being authentic.”

Winant