874.00/6–245: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 2—1:48 p.m.]
291. Gen Crane has received the following communication (this is a translation) from Lt. Genl Cherepanov signed by him as Asst to the Pres of the ACC under date of June 1:
“By request of the Bulgarian Govt I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of the note No. 4368–1 of 30 May 1945 which was received by the Vice Pres of the ACC in Bulgaria. Col Genl Biryusov from [Page 246] the MinFonAff and Cults of Bulgaria, commissioner for the fulfillment of armistice terms, Mr. P. Stainov.
I ask you that this note be brought to the attention of the Govt of the US of America.”
The translated text of the enclosure from Petko Stainov, MinFonAff, etc. etc., is as follows:
“In addition to our note of 26 of May, in which the Bulgarian Govt brought the attention of the ACC to this that a Bulgarian citizen G. M. Dimitrov deserting his home where he was under house arrest found refuge with the American rep in Bulgaria Mr. Barnes. The Bulgarian Govt has the honor to declare that the action of G. M. Dimitrov appears in no way justified for there were no threats to him from the side of the Bulgarian authorities. That is why taking into consideration your No. 2125 of 29 May that Dr. G. M. Dimitrov actually received refuge in the home of the American rep Mr. Barnes, the Bulgarian Govt insists that Dr. G. M. Dimitrov be returned to the Bulgarian authorities because this offering of refuge is not based on international law nor on the terms of armistice. The Bulgarian Govt has the honor to ask you, Col Genl, to transmit this note to the American rep in Bulgaria Mr. Barnes and request that he bring this to the attention of the Govt of the US of America.”
It should be noted that Stainov’s note was communicated without any observations and without any request for action except it be brought to the attention of the US Govt.
In my tel No. 290 of today’s date, I have reported on Sr. Regent Ganev’s further efforts toward a satisfactory solution of the Dimitrov case. During my conversation with the Regent I showed him the document quoted above. His reaction was the same as mine, namely that the Russians are not yet willing to assume the responsibility of any official action in the case. The Regent then told me that the only real obstacle to the departure of Dimitrov that he fears is that he may not be able to overcome the unofficial stand by the Russians against consent by the Bulgarian Govt to the departure of Dimitrov. He said the Communist Regent Pavlov has promised to try to overcome this unofficial opposition and that anything we might be able to do to strengthen Pavlov’s efforts in this matter would be steps in the right direction. Under the circumstances Gen Crane and I strongly recommend that a reply be made to Stainov’s note through the ACC drafted along the following lines primarily for the effect it might have on the Russians:
“In the opinion of the US Govt every effort possible should be made to avoid ascribing undue importance in the Dimitrov case. In its opinion the paramount concern of the reps in Bulgaria of the three principal Allied Govts and of the Bulgarian Govt should be furtherance of the major objective of the United Nations, namely, mutual understanding and confidence. The US Govt therefore believes [Page 247] that in the matter raised in Min Stainov’s note of May 30 a decision can be arrived at on the spot that will protect and further these mutual interests by eliminating for all concerned the embarrassment that has resulted from an incident that was not sought by any of those now called upon to find a solution.”
Rptd to Moscow as 149.