874.00/11–1345: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:19 p.m.]
677. For Ethridge.1 Suggest that should your conversations reach point of proposing project for limitation activities of Parliament issuing from November the 8th [18th] elections provisions should be made not only for revision of electoral decree law before legalization by Parliament but also for similar revision of decree law for “defense of People’s authority”. This law has today been evoked as basis of lengthy and trumped up indictment of defeatist and sabotage activities against G. M. Dimitrov and so-called Gemetovists of last spring.
Indictment is obviously work of Russian NKVD (Soviet Secret Police), bully Communist secret committee that directs militia, and central committee FF (Fatherland Front). It brings into sharp relief inability of moderate elements within govt really to modify local situation for better along lines you have discussed with them. These elements including Prime Minister’s have since Dimitrov case first figured prominently in our relations with Bulgaria, disclaimed any credence in exaggerated charges of Communists and Russians against Dimitrov and have even professed desire to see him reintegrated [Page 372] into Bulgarian political life. Now Russians and Communists are setting stage for political trial that will of course end in death sentences for Dimitrov and considerable number his political friends who have been held in prison without being charged since his escape in May. I believe this fact is best yardstick with which we have yet been provided to measure incapacity or insincerity of moderate elements who argue that if we recognize govt in which they participate, even though govt may be dominated by Communists, we will be taking most effective steps toward betterment conditions in Bulgaria. Just the contrary may well be the case. I also believe that today’s indictment goes far to substantiate fears that so many Bulgarians express of what may be expected of Communists after November 18 election unless western democracies can so bring their influence to bear as to hold Communist’s fury in check.
I would also like to suggest that Ambassador Harriman consider desirability of keeping his British colleague currently informed of course of your conversations. Our experience of August in connection with local election situation demonstrated importance of parallel if not united action by US [and UK in matter] on [of] political conditions in Bulgaria. Had Bevin’s statement been made at same time as Mr. Byrnes’, impact would have been in opinion of all of us here far more effective and immediate.
Repeated to Dept as 677.
- Sent to Moscow as telegram 296 for Ethridge.↩