874.00/9–1745: Telegram
The Secretary of the United States Mission in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 18—2:15 p.m.]
539. It is announced that by a decree signed by Regents on September 15 the elections are to be held on November 18. Weekend press also carries the approved changes in election law signed by Regents on September 13. Changes in law are insignificant except those concerning articles 38 and 53. The phrase “persons with Fascist ideas” in article 38 (reDeptel 300, September 7) has been changed to “proven Fascists” but there is no stipulation as to machinery for establishment of such proof. Article 53 now permits all political parties which have been legalized as juridical persons or groups of such parties to put up lists on candidates provided that they became legal persons before the expiration date for placing of candidacies. In addition any ten literate citizens of the same constituency and whose qualifications have been certified may put up a candidate. The phrase on Fascist tendencies is now deleted from this article. Candidates must now provide to the local court their written consent to candidature. Other changes are largely technical and of terminology but complete report will follow as will comments on Deptel 300 received September 16.
Opposition leaders agree that changes are insufficient to ensure free elections. Fact remains that the machinery for conduct of elections, the militia, and the courts are still in control of Communists who can interpret law to their will and have the force with no safeguards to achieve their desired results. It is obvious to us here that Communists are preparing to pursue same path employing the same methods which they planned for the elections scheduled for August 26 and that only joint action by three major powers looking to a re-organization [Page 331] of present Fatherland Front Government with an effective independent control of militia and an impartial administration of electoral law will achieve free elections resulting in a representative democratic form of Government.