874.00/6–545: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 5—7:40 p.m.]
5678. The Embassy has now reed a letter from FonOff regarding the Dimitrov case (urtel 4242, May 2886). FonOff states that it [Page 249] confirms the US Govt’s belief “that Dimitrov is unquestionably loyal to the Allies”, adding that it is in a position to know this since the British themselves, in order to save Dimitrov’s life, arranged his escape from Bulgaria in 1941. FonOff goes on to say that after his escape, Dimitrov worked continuously for the British in the Middle East until the entry of Russian troops into Bulgaria, when he returned to his country. “We are accordingly convinced that no charge of Fascist sympathies could reasonably be brought against him”.
FonOff continues by stating that as soon as the recent developments in Sofia were reported, instructions were sent to Lambert to remind the Bulgarian Prime Minister of Brit Govt’s knowledge of and connection with Dimitrov and to impress on the PriMin in the strongest terms that persecution of Dimitrov merely because he opposed the policy of the present Bulgarian Govt would cause a deplorable impression in Great Britain and throughout the world. Lambert carried out these instructions on May 28, and FonOff has instructed Brit Embassy in Washington to show Dept a copy of Lambert’s report of his conversation with the Bulgarian PriMin.
In conclusion, the FonOff states that, from Lambert’s latest reports, it appears unlikely that the matter will be raised in the ACC. “Our representative on the commission, Maj Gen Oxley, has, however, instructions that if the matter should be raised, he should give his support to Gen Crane”.
Sent to Dept as 5678; rptd to Moscow as 189 and Caserta as 121.