874.00/11–1445: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes)
373. Moscow’s 3845, Nov. 14. Please transmit following communication to Bulgarian Govt urgently:
“As the Bulgarian Govt is aware the US Govt desires to conclude a treaty of peace with Bulgaria with the least possible delay and with that end in view has hoped to be able to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with an appropriate provisional Bulgarian Govt at an early date. It is essential that such a Bulgarian Govt be adequately representative of the important elements of democratic opinion and that arrangements be made for free elections in which all democratic elements of the country may effectively participate, free from the fear of force and intimidation, in order that the will of the majority of the people can be determined and the pledge given to them at Yalta be fulfilled.
The announced object of the recent visit of Mr. Mark Ethridge, the special representative of the Secretary of State, was in fact to investigate this situation. Mr. Ethridge’s findings have been made known to the Bulgarian Govt as well as to the signatories of the Yalta agreement.
Since the postponement of the elections originally scheduled for Aug 26, 1945, an opportunity has been given for freer political expression. However, no steps have been taken since August to reorganize the present Bulgarian Govt to make it truly representative of democratic opinion. From the elections now scheduled for Nov 18, 1945, important democratic elements are excluded through the operation of a single list of candidates. Moreover, there are indications that the free expression of popular will is being further restricted by threats of intimidation and later reprisals. There is no reason to believe the results of an election conducted under such conditions [Page 377] will reflect the Bulgarian people’s choice of a representative democratic Govt.”
London and Moscow are requested to inform the Brit and Soviet Govts of this expression of our views. The text of the above communication will be released to the press as soon as you telegraph urgently that it has been delivered.
Sent to Sofia, rptd to London and Moscow.6
- As Nos. 9986 and 2339, respectively.↩