874.00/9–1745: Telegram
The Secretary of the United States Mission in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 18—11:45 p.m.]
541. Re my telegram 450, August 18. The leader of Social Democratic Party outside FF (Fatherland Front) and former Minister of Social Policy, Grigor Cheshmedjiev, died yesterday morning of cerebral hemorrhage. On same day the new newspaper Svoboden Narod of which he was editor made its first appearance carrying editorial written by him on subject of liberty. He stated that since this subject must be written about all cannot be in order in Bulgaria and that after 50 years cruel and severe methods and customs remain unchanged here.
Initial issue of this paper also carries declarations by Nikola Petkov, Agrarian leader, regarding his attitude on Government and political situation. He calls for resignation of Cabinet and formation of new Government to conduct free elections. This should be done within framework of FF (Fatherland Front) but with addition to it of other democratic organizations to insure complete representation [Page 332] of public opinion. All democratic organizations must receive right to exist freely as political groups and to publish their newspapers including these outside FF (Fatherland Front). He calls for liberty of speech, press and assembly, and personal liberty and security for all persons. He states that present changes in electoral law are not sufficient to guarantee free elections (re mytel 539 of today). He again insists on right of his group to publish Agrarian paper Zemedelsko zname and to be legalized as real Agrarian Party instead of Obbov’s group which split from original party and with aid of militia and Communists seized premises of party and newspaper and was legalized as the Agrarian Party within FF (Fatherland Front).
Initial issue of new paper is remarkably frank and its tone refreshing in contrast to monotonous line followed by FF (Fatherland Front) papers. I am convinced, however, that its appearance now as opposition paper with apparent freedom of expression is but strategy of Communist-dominated FF (Fatherland Front) to instill confidence on party [part?] of US and UK and to further illusion of freedom of press and political activity for opposition. It remains to be seen if many other opposition papers will be permitted to appear and how long they can unhampered speak freely.