874.00/8–2145: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—10:50 a.m.]
461. Yesterday afternoon I called on Regents to impress on them once again, in terms of peace for Bulgaria, significance of views held by United States with respect to so-called elections scheduled August 26 and to clarify any misunderstanding on their part that United States position stems from hostility per se to Communist and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. I asked them for any suggestion they might be in position to make to avoid “dead end” into which present [Page 298] government seems determined to lead country by insistence on August 26 “plebiscite”.
Regents readily admitted gravity of situation resulting from government’s disregard views two great powers with which it signed armistice but pointed out Union of Soviet Socialist Republics accepts Fatherland Front “democracy”, that Russian forces are in actual occupation of country and Allied Control Commission is “operated” by Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. While conceding that problem of composing conflicting Bulgarian views on what constitutes democracy is primarily one for local governments and local parties, they implied that until three great powers could agree on what constitutes free democratic elections, Bulgarian Government would follow Soviet views on subject. At same time they agree that even if elections are held according to schedule central issue would remain unsolved and that ultimately a truly tripartite Allied Control Commission, or Washington, London and Moscow directly would have to deal with situation. In end it was agreed that Regent Pavlov (Communist) would try to impress upon General Biryusov today gravity for Bulgaria of non-recognition by United States of America and United Kingdom and that Begents would confer with Prime Minister this afternoon possibility of getting all parties together with Russians, British and ourselves in effort to avoid deadlock.
It was clear throughout conversation that Begents, including Pavlov, deeply troubled by Bulgaria’s dilemma; also that they are entirely powerless to influence decision of Government unless it received conciliating instructions from Russians. I am not at all hopeful that today’s meetings will point toward a solution. Bevin’s statement,40 coming after our own, should have sobering effect on more thoughtful. I am to see the Regents again tomorrow.
Repeated Moscow as 236.
- For text of Statement by Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in the House of Commons on August 20, see Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 413, col. 283.↩