874.00/9–745: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of the United States Mission in Bulgaria (Rewinkel)
300. Brit Emb on instructions from FonOff has furnished Dept text of FonOff telegram 827, Aug 31 to British representative in Sofia53 concerning possible further steps in connection with Bulgarian elections. Embassy has requested Dept’s comments.
You will observe that Brit tel 827, which Embassy says will be made available to you by Houstoun-Boswall, discusses various aspects of electoral law and suggests specific changes in that law and in the Bulgarian Govt as well as possible ACC action which the British, subject to Houstoun-Boswall’s recommendations, might consider desirable to ensure democratic elections. Upon receipt of his recommendations, FonOff proposes to instruct British representative to place detailed proposals before ACC as soon as possible for discussion there.
As indicated in Deptel 287, Aug 30, Dept would prefer not to initiate specific proposals to ACC. However, if British follow such procedure, Dept is prepared to lend its support to fullest possible extent. In any case, we feel it desirable to formulate our views.
We agree with the six objectives listed by the Brit and are in accord with their view that an impartial administration during interim period is best guarantee of fair elections. Consequently, we believe that the reorganization of the Govt to include proportionate representation of all important democratic factions should be primary concern and we have noted recent statements by Prime Minister Georgiev and other indications that Bulgarians may themselves take steps to this end although further prompting may be necessary. However, we doubt the likelihood of our obtaining replacement of Communist Minister of Interior and it seems to us that tripartite control of the militia and police by the ACC even if it were possible to obtain in principle would not in fact be effective. If only nominal control were achieved, we would, we believe, be placed in undesirable position.
As regards provisions of electoral law, we are in full agreement with British desire that Article 53 be amended to give right to all parties to present separate lists or combined lists with other parties or with independents in whatever manner they wish but we doubt the advisability of raising question of eligibility of persons “with fascist ideas” in which our motives probably would be distorted to furnish material for adverse propaganda.
We would expect to see legal guarantees either in the electoral law itself or in accompanying separate legislation unambiguously and [Page 320] unequivocally assuring freedom of assembly, speech, and of the press to all democratic elements of the electorate. This is the essence of our position.
Dept is informing Brit Emb in sense of foregoing. Please discuss with Gen. Crane and report immediately by telegraph. Dept will also appreciate Barnes comments upon his return.
Sent to Sofia. Repeated to London.54