874.00/9–1946: Telegram
The Acting Representative in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 23—12:05 a.m.]
754. Opposition leaders Petkov (Agrarian), Lulchev (Socialist) and Stoyanov (independent intellectuals) have conveyed following information to me through intermediary:
They feel that, if possible, postponement of scheduled elections is necessary, at least until withdrawal of Soviet troops. This would represent great blow to Communist plans. Failing this, they suggest international commission (United States, United Kingdom and Soviet Union) be sent as soon as possible to Bulgaria to make inquiry into methods of electoral campaign and to visit prisons and concentration camps in country with representatives of Opposition and Government and interrogate inmates as to reasons for their detention. This commission, not necessarily consisting of specialists, should number from 3 to 10 members of each of three Great Powers. Opposition believes that such commission would have great moral effect in encouraging voters.
[Page 148]Present conditions in Bulgaria described by Opposition leaders as extremely serious. Their candidates are already being arrested and meetings broken up by militia, which also exerting pressure on voters and threatening all non-Communists with no food during forthcoming winter. Election ballots not yet printed, electoral colleges not yet established and law establishing number of candidates for each district not yet promulgated. Leaders believe that as result of pressure Government will win elections with 60 percent majority without even resorting to falsification. If necessary, they are certain that falsification such as changing ballot boxes may well be used.
Opposition believes it is mistake to connect withdrawal of Soviet troops with signature of peace treaty for they think it very possible that present Bulgarian Government would invite troops to remain. They convinced that if Government wins elections it will not be possible prevent Bulgaria becoming Communist Republic.76 They therefore contend that only solution in ridding Bulgaria of Soviet troops is for Opposition to enter Government before signature of peace treaty. Thereafter Opposition members could always resign or vote against any plans to postpone departure of Russian troops and could apply to UN in same manner as Iranians. Opposition leaders confirm that Prime Minister Georgiev has made no approach to them since his return from Paris.
Ex-Regent Ganev has also conveyed to me his opinion that an international commission is necessary to control forthcoming elections. He feels that for such commission to be very active there should be at least three observers in each large Bulgarian town, roughly a total of 33 members from each United States, United Kingdom and USSR. He thought a smaller commission would avail nothing. He stated it was all important that such commission should come now and not few days before elections. Failing this he suggested that United States and United Kingdom Governments should immediately announce that they were not prepared recognize election results unless Opposition included in Government in ample prior time before elections and in sufficiently satisfactory numbers to be effective. ACC might at same time be appointed as controlling organ over elections (it is, of course, apparent that Russians would not consent, on grounds that this would represent interference in Bulgarian internal affairs). Ganev, however, believes that Russians are responsible for public order and that therefore they must admit responsibility for control of elections.
[Page 149]Ex-Regent believes that forthcoming period represents last chance for West to “save a whole people”. Unless there is intervention, Communists and FF will win elections by terror and falsification and subsequently he thought federation with Yugoslavia very likely.
It is apparent to us all in Bulgaria that Communists have now apparently received unqualified support of USSR and that they going ahead without regard to other factors in consolidation of their hold on this country. I can only admire Opposition leaders and other progressive elements in this country for still having courage and hope in belief that principles of freedom and decency must somehow prevail in end.
Sent Department; repeated Paris for Delsec as 249.
- At the Bulgarian referendum on September 8, 1946, 3,833,183 votes were cast for a republic and 175,234 for the monarchy, according to official statistics. On September 15, Bulgaria was proclaimed a republic and the functions of the chief of state were transferred from the Regency Council to the Presidency of the National Assembly.↩