874.00/10–645: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:08 p.m.]
584. In memo prepared for Secretary in London Sept. 14, I stated postponement Aug 26 general elections constituted set-back for Communist-dominated Bulgarian Govt more apparent than real and such would continue case until reorganized Cabinet in following sense:
- (1)
- Inclusion therein real leaders Agrarian and Social Democratic Parties in place Communist stooges Obbov and Neikov;
- (2)
- Acceptance within Govt representative Democratic Party, leaders of which faithful Anglo-American cause throughout German domination;
- (3)
- Replacement Communist Minister Interior by representative less aggressive, more democratic political element, or by neutral figure country’s life.
Memo pointed out reorganization Govt along above lines imperative to accomplish following prerequisites free elections:
- (1)
- Holding of party congresses Agrarian and Social Democrats on basis party organizations existing prior May 8 and June 10, respectively, when Obbov and Neikov, assisted by militia, obtained control within FF (Fatherland Front) Agrarian and Social Democratic participation therein;
- (2)
- Revision existing electoral law so as to assure free opportunity any non-Fascist party or candidate participate electoral campaign from outset to end. This would require elaboration some fair test “Fascist views”;
- (3)
- Freedom speech, press, radio and assembly for all;
- (4)
- Measures to assume honest recording election returns;
- (5)
- Reorganization militia in sense of police organ for maintenance domestic peace and order instead Communist instrument intimidation, oppression as now is;
- (6)
- Liberation from prison or house arrest and restitution political rights such important, democratically inclined leaders as Burov, Nikola Mushanov, Gichev.
Petkov, Agrarian leader and outstanding figure all opposition, has now informed me that opposition prepared enter electoral contest throughout the country if conditions (3) in first paragraph above [Page 344] and (5) in second paragraph met by Govt and if separate party lists outside the FF permitted. If these minimum conditions not met, psychology of fear will continue to control and elections can be no more than Hitlerite plebiscite.
Burov has expressed similar. However, he believes even without concessions demanded by Petkov opposition can beat Govt in Sofia. It is traditional in Bulgaria that elections are “made” much more effectively in provinces by organs Ministry Interior than in Capital. Foreign observation what transpires in Capital foregone conclusion. Burov will seek convince Petkov that opposition should announce participation Sofia and refusal participation provinces unless formula is found whereby Ministry of Interior and militia no longer instruments Communist intimidation. He believes opposition success in most industrialized center country and where the Agrarian Party obviously less strong than in provinces would establish beyond shadow of doubt opposition contention that free elections throughout country would give overwhelming victory to Agrarians and Democrats. His opinion victory for opposition Sofia would strengthen US and UK determination not to negotiate peace with Communist-dominated Govt and would ultimately force fall Georgiev Cabinet and new and free elections later.
Repeated to Moscow as No. 261 and to London as No. 11.