874.00/8–945: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:43 p.m.]
429. I stated in my telegram 78, February 10, that comment to effect that Great Britain, Russia and United States had not protested against sentences of People’s Courts was so widespread as to justify suspicion of semi-official inspiration. The fact is at a later period the Minister Foreign Affairs specifically justified Govt’s failure to take any actions to stay excessive sentences of first and second People’s Courts of February 1 by pointing out neither United States nor United Kingdom political representatives had protested against nature of sentences.
In conversation this a.m. the Minister Foreign Affairs followed a similar line with respect to election situation. He said to me, “You have never told me it is desire of your Govt that elections be postponed”. The occasion for this remark was my reply to his official request I now inform my Govt the Bulgarian Govt desires to send Lieutenant General Vladimir Stoichev as political representative to United States. In my opinion General Stoichev is a desirable choice. He led first Bulgarian Army in its campaign under Marshal Tolbukhin against German forces in Yugoslavia and Hungary. He is close to innermost politico-military circles of FF (Fatherland Front) yet is a traditionalist by upbringing, training and experience. He possesses a striking personality and speaks numerous languages including English.
I told the Minister that as the two of us are friends and admirers of Gen Stoichev I should be pleased if he would amend his request to having me ask whether Washington is still prepared, as it was on [Page 280] May 22 (re Deptel 13921) to receive an informal representative of the Bulgarian Govt. I explained that the electoral situation in Bulgaria was so at odds with what I understood Washington expectations to be, that I was uncertain as to whether my oral communication to him of May 23 still stood. I then informed him again on a purely personal basis of the concern that Washington has expressed in the past over the trend of developments in the Bulgarian electoral situation and of the American view that all democratic parties and political groups should have full freedom to bring their independent platforms to the attention of the electorate and to present their lists of candidates for the voters choice. I said that I had recently told Washington that apparently the govt was determined to go ahead with its plan to hold elections on Aug 26 in complete disregard of our views that democratic processes must be applied to Bulgaria. His reply was the comment contained in the third sentence of this telegram. However, he agreed with me that I should consult urgently with Washington to determine its present views before his request for the presentation of Stoichev’s name be considered official.
The Minister then told me he was now in a position to do something a little better about Dimitrov than I reported in my telegram 383 of July 25. I am to see him again tomorrow morning at which time we may be able to come to terms that will lead to the departure of Dimitrov from my house and a few days thereafter from Bulgaria. I do not mention Dimitrov case here for purpose influencing in any way Department’s present position with respect to acceptance of unofficial Bulgarian representation. I will accept solution of Dimitrov case as a possibility only after realization of the fact. However, I do not believe this case should seriously influence Department’s view on acceptance of a Bulgarian representative. I think this view should be based squarely on electoral situation, on discussions at Potsdam with respect to this situation and on whatever policy Department has decided to follow with respect to recognition of Bulgarian Government and peace negotiations with it.
I can formulate no definite recommendations as I do not know enough about factors listed in foregoing sentence. Both Government and Opposition will draw conclusions from whatever decision to bolster the one and weaken the other depending on whether answer is in affirmative or negative. If answer is in negative the sooner I have it the better so far as electoral situation is concerned. As pointed out above I am seeing the Minister of Foreign Affairs again tomorrow at 10 o’clock. He is leaving in afternoon for a somewhat extended electoral tour.
Repeated to Moscow 221.