874.00/9–1846: Telegram
The Acting Representative in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19—2:09 p.m.]
749. I have just returned from interview with Prime Minister Georgiev at which time I conveyed to him Secretary’s comments in Paris telegram 41 [4641], September 16, repeated Department as Delsec 950.74 Georgiev stated he was in Paris at time of suspension of Svoboden Narod and trial of specific Opposition journalist and therefore, knew none of facts nor reasons of cases. Suspension of Narodno Zemedelsko Zname for short period was ordered on authority of Information Minister who had administrative jurisdiction in such matters possibly for some “minor infraction” concerning which Georgiev had no details. He assured me he would investigate three cases mentioned and inform me of reasons which had impelled government to act thus.
I said that in light of his assurances to the Secretary in Paris concerning improved conditions for opposition in forthcoming election campaigns, Secretary was most interested in learning whether Government was taking steps which would ensure to Opposition parties the possibility to campaign without restrictions and participate freely in coming elections. Georgiev would not commit himself that Government was actually taking measures to diminish restrictions on Opposition activity but stated that Government was most anxious that Opposition participate in elections since this was only way to “normalize conditions” in Bulgaria. To my repeated question as to what present conditions were re freedom of Opposition activities Georgiev only replied that in past the Opposition leaders had frequently complained to and consulted with him re situation obtaining in the country but it was now 14 days since his return from Paris and no Opposition leader had as yet consulted with or complained to him. Therefore, he could only assume they had no complaints to register. (I refrained from replying that in view of previous fruitlessness of Opposition démarches they had probably despaired of obtaining satisfaction from the Prime Minister.)
Georgiev went on to say that unfortunately Opposition itself was deliberately creating many difficulties for the Government by emphasizing [Page 147] and creating impression of great power disunity and danger of war whereas policy of FF was to assist in obtaining international understanding and unity. He cited several incidents and stories including secret circulation throughout Sofia of purported inflammatory speech (obviously fabricated) delivered on undisclosed date by Secretary against Russian policies and designs.75 Such stories, he said, which no intelligent person seriously believed nevertheless tended to create doubt in mind of populace concerning possibilities for agreement and peace and were always traceable to opposition machinations.
I left the Prime Minister after receiving repeated assurance that he would investigate three cases mentioned in reference telegram and that he sincerely desired participation of Opposition in forthcoming elections. My impression is that he does desire Opposition participation in elections only to impart appearance of legality or “normality” but that he will take no steps against Communist plan to intimidate and stifle Opposition and win those elections.
Repeated Paris Delsec as 246.
- Not printed; in it, Rewinkel was directed to express to Prime Minister Georgiev the astonishment and disappointment of the Secretary of State at the suspension of Opposition newspapers and the trial and sentencing of an Opposition journalist notwithstanding Georgiev’s promises to the Secretary and his formal undertaking regarding free elections and fair treatment of the Opposition parties (740.00119 Council/9–1646).↩
- Telegram 753, September 19, 1946, from Sofia, reported that the clandestinely distributed fabricated speech by the Secretary referred to by the Prime Minister was “almost too ridiculous on surface to merit attention” and was probably prepared by some “irresponsible local jester or foreign satirical journalist” endeavoring, with malice or annoyance, to state his opinions of the Russians in the name of the Secretary (874.00/9–1946).↩