874.00/9–945: Telegram
The Secretary of the United States Mission in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:30 p.m.]
517. Following are replies to points in Department’s 7743 to London, repeated to Sofia as No. 302.55
1. There has been no meeting of ACC Bulgaria since that of August 24 which, acting for first time on truly tripartite basis, decided on postponement of elections (reMistel 474, August 24 to Department). Previous to that date ACC has been purely Russian in character and operation with not even consultation with US and British delegates. Issuance of orders and regulations by Russians in name of ACC without prior consultation or notification was protested by British and ourselves with result that Russians agreed to issue such orders in name of Soviet High Command. This agreement has not been strictly followed and ACC orders are known to be issued without our or British consultation.
Excepting sole case of election issue the ACC has not operated on tripartite basis or any semblance thereof. Its decisions and orders have been purely unilateral and Russian. The Russians, however, have now proposed to conduct ACC Bulgaria on basis of statutes issued by them for ACC Hungary and have called a joint meeting for September 11 with further meetings of ACC scheduled at weekly intervals thereafter. Tentative agendas have been published for meetings on September 11, 18, and 25. Until this first meeting of September 11 has taken place under new plan it will not be possible to evaluate present participation (if it should prove to be more than nominal) of British and ourselves on ACC.
The US Political Representative has no formal seat on ACC nor would he normally participate in meetings. He is, however, superior to General Crane, the US Delegate with whom he has complete exchange of information and whom he advises and supports.
[Page 321]2. Election issue has been only instance of US participation in directives to local government. Other so-called ACC orders and directives to Bulgarian ministries and administrative bodies have been Russian and the British and ourselves while not having been consulted have frequently learned of them through hearsay or from Bulgarian authorities, who naturally assumed we were fully cognizant of them.
3. US civil and military officials can now circulate freely in Bulgaria except for air travel upon prior notification to the ACC (Russians) of time of departure, route, destination, duration of stay and names of travelers and Bulgarian companions, if any.
The entry into and departure from Bulgaria of all persons military or civilian, including journalists, are subject to prior clearance by the chairman (Russian) of ACC. In contrast to earlier refusals for entry or simple failure to reply to requests there has recently been little difficulty aside from sore [some?] delays and frequent requests for additional data on the applicant. Journalists are now admitted and are permitted to circulate freely in Bulgaria. Innocuous and noncontroversial press reports are submitted through local channels and cleared. Existence of Bulgarian censorship precludes local transmittal of adverse or critical material factual though it may be. Journalists are, therefore, forced to resort to writing such reports outside Bulgaria or to jeopardize their continued stay by smuggling a story from the country.
4. All communications and access to officials or sections of Bulgarian Government must be through the Chairman of the ACC or through chiefs of various sections of ACC (all Russians). This procedure usually entails lengthy delays, complete lack of response or inadequate replies. Although General Crane adheres in the main to this requirement, both he and this mission frequently resort unofficially to direct and personal contacts and channels as the only means of securing information. This latter course is, however, handicapped by fear and evasion on part of local officials.
5. There are very few US interests and nationals in Bulgaria and obstacles are, therefore, at minimum. Chief obstacle has been obtaining clearance for entry of American heads of educational and business institutions. (Clearance for Dr. Black,56 President of American College, has been pending for 8 months.) Physical status of US interests and nationals has been thus far satisfactory. Minor difficulties have been locally resolved.
Any significant changes or new developments resulting from September 11 ACC meeting, the first such regularly scheduled, will be promptly reported.
Repeated to Department as 517, and Paris for Barnes as No. 3.