874.00/8–2445: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:45 p.m.]
473. Two days before scheduled election date only 49 opposition candidates remain on lists in 11 electoral districts. In only 8 districts does opposition have more than 2 candidates. Police intimidation and suppression of civil liberties largely responsible this situation. Thus Stainov’s statement (my 446, August 17) that plebiscite rather than election to be held fully substantiated. Final week electoral campaign reached new heights of excitement with slogans such as “no postponement of election”, “no foreign intervention in our internal affairs”, and “we are not afraid of atomic bomb” bandied about freely.
Repeated Moscow as 244.