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

874.00/10–246: Telegram

The Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent

Sofia, October 2, 1946—5 p.m.
[Received October 7—4:50 p.m.]

796. Redelsec telegram 45, September 29 Sofia and 4881 to Department.⁷⁷ In view of relatively brief period until elections for GNA October 27 and as final date for filing candidates is October 5, General Robertson and I decided yesterday not await clarification of British position. Yesterday afternoon General Robertson sent communication text of which contained in immediately following telegram 797, to ACC.⁷⁸

As indicated in text plan is to avoid action our part before Commission that would cast US representative in role of advocate of Opposition. Proposal is have all party leaders state their case with respect forthcoming elections, whether in justification of Government’s plans or as complaint by others against these plans. Commission, as final governing authority in Bulgaria, including US representative would sit as referee and decide in event case made against Government’s election plans to order measures that would assure participation of Opposition in elections by affording them opportunity to take part therein with some hope of relative freedom both for candidates and voters.

I have no illusions about dictatorship engaging in elections without firm determination to win overwhelmingly. Nevertheless it will be difficult for Russians totally to refuse our démarche because they know that full publicity will result and that even though there is no correction situation against which Opposition complains, refusal respond to Opposition appeal would strengthen moral position Opposition and doubtless encourage more Bulgarians to express themselves freely in balloting than would otherwise be case.

Repeated Paris for Delsec 270; London 168; Moscow 325.

Barnes

77. Not printed; it indicated that because Bevin had not yet had an opportunity to discuss with the Secretary the question of Bulgaria, the British asked whether American representations to the Allied Control Commission might not be postponed pending the clarification of the British attitude and the framing of instructions for the British representative on the Control Commission (874.00/9–2946).
78. Telegram 797 not printed. For text of letter of October 1, 1946, from Major General Robertson to Colonel General Biryuzov regarding free elections in Bulgaria, see Department of State Bulletin, November 3, 1946, p. 820.