Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

124.743/8–2148: Telegram

The Minister in Bulgaria (Heath) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Sofia, August 21, 1948—5 p. m.

1065. I inquired of Acting Foreign Minister Ganovsky today re fate of Bulgarian employees Dimitrov and Peev (Legtel 1043, August 16)¹ who we had heard had been condemned to death. Ganovsky told me that Foreign Ministry had no information to that effect. I reminded him these men had occupied absolutely non confidential positions in Legation. He said it was possible they were connected with Acenovgrad “conspiracy”. I said I did not believe it and his mention matter reminded me that local press reports of Acenovgrad and other trials which implied that “conspiracy” was inspired by “Anglo-American imperialists” which he must know false. I had assured him that we had not and were not engaged in subversive activity against Bulgarian Government. Practice of these unfounded accusations of press and Bulgarian officials against US was dangerous one. Also was absolutely imperative for militia to be instructed that they could not continue against Legation and its personnel their present actions and attitude which could only be qualified as hostile. If Bulgarian Government were sincerely concerned to have good relations this situation must not endure.

I cited as incident attitude of militia in shocking detention Beck and Beman of Legation staff (Legtel 1032 August 14).² Ganovsky “regretted” that he had not yet received report on incident (he has been saying this for some two weeks) but added that militia maintained diplomats in prohibited areas lost their immunity. I replied that diplomats could not be divested their immunity. They could be declared persona non grata but their immunity remained until after they were safely across border. Militia had developed intolerable espionage and terrorization of servants of Legation members. Such system could only be justified in time war and action militia seemed to betray conviction that they were already in conflict with US.

I also cited incident militia officer at airport who held up my plane on my recent trip to Istanbul because of minor flaw in exit visa of member of party which was fault of Foreign Office. Officer had made no attempt get in touch with Foreign Office to discover whether mistake was one of inadvertence. Fortunately we had been able locate member Foreign Office, otherwise my departure would have been postponed indefinitely. It was all too evident that there were no instructions to militia officers as to courtesies and facilities they were obliged under international practice to extend representatives foreign countries. I remarked that in returning by car from Istanbul we had passed gate of garison. There was no sentry box but militaman had suddenly rushed out as car passed and calling car to stop aimed his rifle at us. Fortunately in front seat sat officer detailed accompany me from border to custom house and he signaled militiaman to subside. Otherwise militiaman would presumably have fired at car which was traveling at fair speed.³

Kolarov returning Sofia and I expect see him next week and insist that intolerable attitude and activities militia against us must end.

Heath

Editorial Notes

On September 6–7, 1948, Romanian authorities detained four members of the staff of the American Legation in Bucharest on charges of taking photographs in a forbidden zone. The four staff members, Wayne W. Fisher, Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Paul H. Green, Attaché, and Ruth V. Garr and Peggy M. Maggard, clerks, were detained at Giurgiu, Romania, and were kept for 16 hours without being allowed food or water or an opportunity to telephone American authorities. In a note of September 9, 1948, the Romanian Foreign Ministry requested the recall of the four Legation staff members. In a reply of September 15, 1948, the Legation in Bucharest transmitted to the Romanian Foreign Ministry a protest regarding the “inexcusable action” of Romanian authorities in this case. The Legation note, which gave an account of the detention, denied that any of the four staff members had taken photographs in or near Giurgiu, but agreed to comply with the Romanian request for the recall of the four. For the text of the Legation note of September 15, see Department of State Bulletin, September 27, 1948, page 403. Documentation on this incident is included in Department file 123 Green, Paul H.

On September 7, 1948, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands presented notes to the Romanian Government in a concerted protest on the Romanian nationalization law. Belgium and the Netherlands participated in this démarche at the invitation of the United States, United Kingdom, and France, while similar invitations to Switzerland and Sweden were refused on the grounds that these countries had already taken independent action against Romania. For the text of the United States note, which was typical of those presented in the concerted démarche, see Department of State Bulletin, September 26, 1948, page 408. Documentation on the preparation and delivery of the note is included in files 471.11 EW and 740.0011 EW (Peace).

1. The Legation in Sofia learned from confidential sources that some 65 persons had been tried in camera on charges of “conspiracy against the State” and “economic espionage for a foreign power”. Former Legation employees Dimitrov and Peev were sentenced to death for their roles in the alleged conspiracy. Telegram 1043, August 16, from Sofia, not printed, recommended that the Department refrain from publicity on the matter pending efforts to have the sentences appealed (874.00/8–1648).
2. On July 31, 1948, Louis C. Beck and Spencer S. Beman, attachés with the Legation in Sofia, were arrested and detained by Bulgarian police while on a pleasure outing near the Danube River. Bulgarian authorities subsequently explained that the arrest, which had been carried out with a menacing display of firearms, resulted from the intrusion of Beck and Beman into a prohibited area. Minister Heath made a written protest on the incident on August 3 arid an oral protest to Acting Foreign Minister Ganovsky on August 14. On September 17 Minister made a further written protest in which he pointed out that a Bulgarian Foreign Ministry note verbale of September 13 on the case was completely unsatisfactory. Documentation on this incident is in file 123 Beck, Louis C.
3. A note from the Legation in Sofia to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on July 30, 1948, not printed, protested the action of a sentry in firing a shot over the official Legation automobile in which the Minister’s wife was riding (124.746/8–448).