874.00/10–3045: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:15 p.m.]
646. Remytel 645, October 25 [29]. Last night Ethridge had 2 hour talk with Prime Minister Georgiev in which he informed him of his earlier conversation with General Biryusov and Prime Minister confirmed in large degree Ethridge’s own impressions as to decline in FF (Fatherland Front) position during past year and asserted that one of his Government’s chief concerns now was to win back the group of Petkov whom he characterized as only true Agrarian leader.
As regards suggestion to early change in Ministry of Interior with a view to facilitating reconstruction of FF before elections Georgiev raised several objections. He pointed in particular to technical obstacles presented by election law, certain apprehensions on part of Soviet authorities regarding Petkov and fact that personnel of Ministry is still largely Communist. He nevertheless claimed that progress was being made in bringing Zveno and Agrarian personnel into Ministry of Interior and expressed great hope that when this had proceeded further prospects for changing minister himself would [Page 357] be much brighter. Prime Minister greatly interested the thought that Ethridge mission proceed to Moscow, stating frankly that more could be done there than anywhere else at this time. Concern of Georgiev was not only to influence decision of [Soviet Union] Communist Party but also to reassure Soviet authorities that change which he admittedly favored was not one forced on FF by western intervention in Sofia but rather one urged only after due consideration had been given to special position and interests of Moscow here.
Repeated to Moscow as No. 271.