874.00/10–3045: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
647. From Ethridge: In the time that I have been here I have talked with Bulgarian people of all political complexions and all social strata, including leaders of the Govt, the opposition and independent organizations to the number of approximately one hundred. I spent the first week in series of fact finding conversations and observations.
It became apparent to me and was confirmed even by members of the Govt including the Prime Minister, a Minister without Portfolio and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs that the Govt as presently constituted is not representative in the sense of the Yalta Declaration and that large democratic elements are excluded. It is also apparent to me, although denied by most of the members of the Govt and all members of Fatherland Front National Committee, that under the circumstances there can be no free election. It will be an election of extreme pressure and coercion, including threats of later reprisals and probably of fraudulent counting. The failure of the opposition to register candidates makes possible only a protest with blank ballots which it will require great courage to cast and which quite probably will not be counted.
Responsible members of the Cabinet do not deny that the Govt is dominated in all major matters by the Communist Party directed from Russia. There is quite open admission of it even in the highest and most responsible Govt circles. The Prime Minister in a conversation which Mr. Barnes is relaying separately (see his 646, Oct 30) admits the situation, says the power lies in Moscow, but believes and I am inclined to agree, that a measure of moderation has been achieved and that it will continue under pressure from the outside, mainly [Page 358] our pressure, accompanied by the resurgence of moderate political movements inside.
I came to the conclusion that the best that can be done before the elections is to undertake to persuade the Russians to allow the Bulgarians to work out a broader base for the Fatherland Front. It could be made really representative of the people if the formula could be found to take back into the Front the great majority of Agrarians who are now dissident and the Socialists and Democrats who have broken away because of the excesses of the Communists. It is a long shot but worth trying. I have no assurance that it will succeed.
Last night after conversation with Biryusov I had 2 hours with the Prime Minister, told him of the conversation and asked his views. He took an exception to the statement that the govt was not representative, confirmed the fact that Obbov, Minister without Portfolio, is really only front for small Communist-dominated element of Agrarians and that it was necessary to bring back other elements before the Govt would be really representative. He made clear that the answer lies in Moscow, either through direct approach from Washington or through my going there. The decision on that is for you and I have no advice to give on it since the idea must be fitted into the broader framework of Russian relations.
Mr. Barnes and I are still working on the theory that local possibilities have not been exhausted and we shall continue them, but it is obvious that the final answer must be made by Moscow.
Effort to get something done before elections to improve the position of Bulgarian people and ourselves has made it impossible to go to provinces so far but will do that later this week unless I hear from Biryusov favorably and something more can be done here. Will give later complete narrative on development of situation with outline of possible action. [Ethridge.]
Repeated to Moscow as 280.