874.00/11–2546: Telegram
The Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 26—10:28 p.m.]
923. In lengthy conversation some days ago on subject of formation new Bulgarian government,7 Kolarov answered question by me as to whether Communist Party willing to accept existence of and work with Opposition members of GNA by stating “that will depend on whether Opposition adopts loyal attitude toward Communists”. He then criticized Opposition leadership for not having contacted him and expressed to him their views on formation new government.
Shortly thereafter (November 21) Petkov sent Asen Pavlov, one of his close collaborators and a leading Agrarian member of Assembly, to see Kolarov and to say that recent declarations and speeches of Communist leaders, especially action of Georgi Dimitrov reported mytel 919, November 21, had encouraged Opposition “and that sincere desire exists for understanding and collaboration”. Pavlov was told in reply, among other things, that Bulgarian Communist Party could not tolerate such slogans on part FF Opposition as “new elections for National Assembly” and “down with Communist dictatorship”. [Page 173] Pavlov replied that these were “tactics” which would disappear if formula for collaboration between Government and Opposition were found.
Kolarov then asked that Opposition vote for resolution setting forth national demands of Bulgaria in connection with consideration of Bulgarian peace treaty by CFM. Pavlov and Petkov himself subsequently in conversation with Kolarov on subject of resolution explained that it would be difficult for opposition to vote “in any way that might subsequently be distorted by Government for propaganda purposes as expression of approval by Opposition of governmental situation resulting from elections”. His reserve seems to have been justified as few days after Pavlov–Kolarov conversation [he] publicly represented Pavlov’s approach as “complete capitulation on part of Opposition”.
When resolution in question came up for vote on floor of Assembly, Petkov was refused right to speak but by dint of persistence and strong voice he was able to explain that as good Bulgarians Opposition would vote for measure but that vote could in no way be construed as expression of confidence in Government of Kimon Georgiev or government that was about to replace it.
Dimitrov’s first public [apparent omission] as Prime Minister has been to issue statement that new government is third FF government. In this statement he says that “leaders of Opposition continue their destructive policy and have failed to manifest desire to collaborate in building of republic; that it is probably for this reason that they did not approach presidency of Republic or Prime Minister charged to form new cabinet and did not make any proposals for collaboration with FF or for participation in Government”. He concluded his remarks on opposition by stating “it is evident that FF meeting will be required for leaders of Opposition to rid themselves of harmful foreign trusteeship which makes it impossible for them to think and act as real Bulgarians”.
From foregoing it seems obvious that Communist demand for “loyalty” remains one-way proposition and will continue to do so until Russian influence here has been reduced or until Moscow is brought really to collaborate with West. In this connection, I feel compelled to express opinion that as Prime Minister of Bulgaria, US and UK should be less tolerant of gibes by Georgi Dimitrov at expense of “dollar and sterling diplomacy” and charges of “foreign tutelage of Opposition” than has been case in past when he was officially no more than leader of Communist Party.
- Telegram 921, November 23, 1946, from Sofia, reported that a new government had been formed under the Prime Ministership of Communist leader Georgi Dimitrov (874.00/11–2346).↩