Office of the Historian

874.00/9–1445: Telegram

The Secretary of the United States Mission in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State

Sofia, September 14, 1945—4 p.m.
[Received 9 p.m.]

531. Re my telegram 529, September 12. Last night I had a meeting with Nikola Petkov in which he confirmed report that Communists are bidding for his cooperation in present FF (Fatherland Front) Government and coming elections with offer of post of Foreign Minister. He informed them that as long as Communists control Ministries of Interior and Justice which they refuse to relinquish under any conditions there can be no political rights or liberties and he would not betray Agrarians who represent political majority of country and who look to him as leader. He told me that his leadership of party is not one of his person but of the principle which his opposition to minority Government and suppression of liberty represents. Were he to cooperate with an FF (Fatherland Front) the key positions of which are held by Communists, he would in effect sanction their methods and aims and his party far from following him would brand him as another Mr. Obbov and continue its opposition.

Pressure on Petkov continues and today he is on communist request to have a meeting with Kolarov who, within one week of his arrival in Bulgaria after 20 year[s’] absence, is already taking active command [Page 330] of local Communist party and strategy. Petkov is apparently remaining firm and his attitude is most courageous. Next following telegram No. 532 summarizes a letter published in today’s press which he addressed to Prime Minister on subject of his publication of Agrarian newspaper (re my telegram 525, September 11) and the Minister of Information’s public reply thereto.65

Rewinkel
  1. Telegram 532, September 15, from Sofia, not printed, reported letter signed by Nikola Petkov and six other Agrarian Party members who declared they would not take part in election if not given freedom to manifest political rights, including publishing of a newspaper, and reply of Minister of Information opposing choice of name for newspaper (874.00/9–1545).↩