874.00/9–646: Telegram
The Acting Representative in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received September 7—6:05 a.m.]
699. Belgian Ambassador to Rome, André Motte, now in Sofia, had long conversation with Queen on August 31. She much perturbed [Page 142] over personal safety herself and children after proclamation Republic and during her removal from Bulgaria. Knowing Bulgars as she does she feared an “accident” or attempt against her party by “irresponsible elements” during journey to frontier. Motte, who has had long service in Bulgaria, agrees her point of view.
No action taken by General Robertson or myself after receipt [apparent omission] telegram 252, August 1066 in view presence leading Bulgarians in Paris and because it then appeared that Govt making adequate plans for safe departure Royal Family. Since then official campaign against monarchy has become intensely provocative and scurrilous and it not unlikely that inflamed passions of certain elements might result in incident or attempt against Family.
This morning my British colleague acting with General Robertson’s and my knowledge had conversation with Senior Regent Ganev regarding plans for Queen’s safety and departure. Ganev admitted no definite plans yet made for departure Family and that previous proposed Norwegian steamer from Varna would probably be too late (remytel 629 August 1567), therefore present idea seemed to be to send Royal Family by train to Istanbul between Sept. 15–20 accompanied by General Markoulev in charge of palace but definite arrangements difficult to make. Ganev admitted dangerous state of affairs arising from present campaign and stated possibility existed of “fanatics” taking violent action in spite extra security measures. He suggested that three ACC powers each send representatives with Royal train to Bulgarian frontier. General Robertson and I concur with this suggestion. In closing Ganev said be believed everything would pass off well and was even “personally sure”.
In view fears of responsible persons and of present Communist temper I suggest following courses of action be followed:
- a.
- That question of Royal Family safe departure from Bulgaria be taken up on high level in Paris with Kolarov, Communist President of National Assembly and one of real rulers of Bulgaria, pointing out interest of world in matter and fact that any incident would irreparably damage Bulgarian name abroad.
- b.
- That General Robertson and British colleague raise question in Sept 12 ACC meeting pointing out that ACC responsible for events in Bulgaria and insisting that Russian, British and US representatives be delegated to accompany Royal Family from local residence to Bulgarian frontier to guarantee safe departure.68
General Robertson concurs fully with contents this telegram and proposes carry out plan in b above at Sept 12 ACC meeting unless instructions to contrary received.
British Mission here sending similar telegram to London and Paris. Please instruct.
Sent Dept; repeated Paris for Delsec (attention Barnes) 209; London 153.
- See footnote 61, p. 132.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Telegram 282, September 9, 1946, to Sofia, approved the action suggested in this paragraph (740.00119 Council/9–646). Telegram 732, September 13, from Sofia, reported that at the meeting of the Allied Control Commission on September 12, General Robertson and his British colleague had raised the question of the safety of the Bulgarian Royal Family. General Cherepanov insisted that this was a matter neither for the Allied Control Commission or the Soviet High Command but solely the responsibility of the Bulgarian Government (874.0011/9–1346). Telegrams 745, September 17 and 752, undated, reported that the Bulgarian Royal Family departed from Sofia by special train on the evening of September 16 en route to Istanbul where the party boarded a ship on September 17 for the voyage to Egypt (874.0011/9–1746 and 9–2046).↩