Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

871.00/10–2646: Telegram

The Representative in Rumania (Berry) to the Secretary of State

confidential
priority

Bucharest, October 26, 1946—3 p.m.
[Received October 27—11:22 a.m.]

1008. I have received signed statement from National Peasant, National Liberal and Independent Socialist Parties addressed to American, British and Soviet Foreign Ministers.³¹ Statement refers to Yalta and Moscow agreements as justification for calling attention to international question of manner Groza govt executes promise of free elections. Original document will be forwarded by pouch.

In detailing Government abuses in electoral preparations statement covers ground previously reported by mission. It states 50% of those asking to be registered have been omitted from electoral lists and registration tactics of regime already have compromised validity of elections. It recounts measures used to force public and army into line to vote for Government bloc ticket, outlines Government’s restrictions on press freedom and opposition electoral publicity, and reiterates practical Government suppression of right of assembly and its terroristic campaign. Communists are stated as temporarily mobilized for army and gendarmerie to be available during elections. Opposition also said to be systematically impeded in registration of its candidates.

Statement concludes Government actions indicate strong measures will be taken during elections which will involve suppression of personal liberties of candidates and their adherents. Three opposition parties thus make five requests: (1) revision under international control of all electoral lists; (2) reestablishment of press liberty, electoral propaganda, right of meeting under equal conditions for all parties in election, as well as their equal surveillance of elections; (3) guarantee of personal liberties of electors and candidates; (4) impartiality of army, police and public authorities aiding election operations; (5) whatever election results no reprisals against any electors for their political attitude during campaign.

Government circles privately admit to this Mission between 600 to 2,000 men in uniform from Communist controlled strong arm squads will be stationed in each prefecture during elections and plans are being perfected to place blame on opposition for any outbursts or violence on election day.

Berry

[On October 28, 1946, the United States Representative in Rumania delivered to the Rumanian Foreign Minister a note regarding the views of the United States Government on the preparations for the forthcoming elections in Rumania. For text of note, see Department of State Bulletin, November 10, 1946, page 851. The British Political Representative in Rumania also delivered a note October 28 regarding the forthcoming elections to the Rumanian Foreign Minister. The British note was a revised version of the proposed note quoted in the British Embassy aide-mémoire of October 16, page 635.]

31. Text of the statement referred to here was transmitted to the Department in despatch 1207, October 29, from Bucharest, not printed (871.00/10–2946). On November 9, Representative Berry received an additional memorandum signed by Maniu, Bratianu, and Petrescu, addressed to the Secretary of State and the British and Soviet Foreign Ministers, giving further details on the methods used by the Rumanian Government to falsify the results of the forthcoming election. The memorandum was reported upon in telegram 1043, November 9, from Bucharest, and a copy was transmitted to the Department in despatch 1242, November 18, from Bucharest, none printed (871.00/11–946 and 871.00/11–1846).