874.00/7–1646: Telegram
The Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received July 17—12:09 a.m.]
542. Personal for the Secretary. Reasons set forth urtel 169 June 11 against then making statements along lines suggested mytels 426 and 427 June 8,32 recognizing at same time that sufficient local justification existed for such statements, were thoroughly convincing. Since that time, all-out campaign of Communists against so-called Fascists and reaction in Bulgaria has greatly worsened conditions described in those and earlier telegrams. It is fact that today most elementary democratic freedoms do not exist in Bulgaria for political opponents of Communism. To cite only few proofs of this deplorable state of affairs, I refer to mytels 473, 480, 489, 494 June 22, 25, 27, 28 respectively and 502, 512, 531, 536, 537, 539 July 1, 3, 12 and 15 respectively.33 Spirit of resistance to Communist steamroller is weakening. Very important contributing factor is failure of western democracies to speak out again against what daily grows worse.
Kolarov’s misrepresentation, (mytels 529 and 530 July 1234), without contradiction, of what was said to him in Paris has deepened depression [Page 119] of opposition and public in general. Communists are exploiting Kolarov’s statement and our silence to utmost.
For example see mytel 541 July 16.35 Even Zveno newspaper Izgrev this morning is compelled to announce that “since his return from Paris President National Assembly Kolarov continues to receive many telegrams and resolutions from all over country thanking him and expressing admiration for his brilliant defense of Bulgarian national cause in Paris, etc.[”] Therefore, while over-all obstacles to statements along lines suggested in mytels 426 and 427 June 8 may still obtain, I believe imperative reasons exist, for now at least, to make known in Bulgaria precise nature your remarks to Kolarov as set forth to me in telegram No. 18, July 1 from Paris.36 Since return of General Biryusov, Communists have acted as if no obstacles exist to their repressive measures and to accomplishment their all-out objectives, as were envisaged at Yalta and in subsequent conversations on democratic freedoms between three Great Powers. In this connection I have noted with great interest that Schoenfeld37 has been authorized to ask US representative ACC Hungary to join with British representative in protest to chairman against Soviet interference Hungaraian internal political affairs.38 I believe similar instructions in order here. Never has US and UK participation on ACC been so negligible as since return of Biryusov. Never before has Biryusov been more active politically, nor so disdainful of existence of US and UK representation on Commission.
Generals Robertson and Oxley, and my British opposite number agree with me that during past few months democratic freedoms have been so completely stamped out in Bulgaria that our continued presence on ACC without some form of protest or effort to bring General Biryusov and Georgi Dimitrov to account, would be shameful and might in long run prove more demoralizing to democratic forces in country than if we were openly to avow our impotence and leave Commission. I realize that at distance of Washington from scene of events I have been reporting over past two months, events, and conditions they have developed may appear less disturbing and important than as seen in Bulgaria. Nevertheless, my conscience and my estimate of what will best serve US interests in this part of world compel me again to urge some sort of statement that might lift local morale, if it accomplished no more than that. Impediment of straining for best possible atmosphere at CFM has disappeared and only 2 weeks remain [Page 120] before peace conference. As I said in mytel 541, Biryusov and Dimitrov hope to have “all hatches battened down for peace”.
It seems pertinent to recall in foregoing connection that some months ago on initiative of Biryusov himself, ACC agreed that Bulgaria had fulfilled obligation under armistice to suppress all influences in country hostile to Allied cause. I note in Hungarian case reference was made to similar decision there by ACC.
On the point that I continue to importune you on the subject of unsatisfactory state of affairs in Bulgaria I feel that in justice to both of us I should repeat to you a thought from one of my British colleague’s recent telegrams to Mr. Bevin, to effect that I do realize that Bulgaria is not the only shell on your rough and rocky beach.
Sent Department as 542; repeated Moscow as 243 and Paris for Delsec as 114.
- In telegrams 426 and 427, June 8, 1946, from Sofia, Barnes reported on the mounting propaganda campaign being waged against the Bulgarian political opposition and asked whether the time had arrived for the Secretary to issue a condemnatory statement on the matter (874.00/6–846). In telegram 169, June 11, to Sofia, the Secretary explained that the importance of the then forthcoming meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers made it inadvisable for him to issue such a statement (874.00/6–846).↩
- Of the telegrams here cited, only telegram 531, July 12, from Sofia, is printed; see supra.↩
- Neither printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Same as telegram 3239, July 1, from Paris, p. 110.↩
- H. F. Arthur Schoenfeld, American Minister in Hungary.↩
- Reference presumably to telegram 678, July 11, to Budapest, p. 323.↩