501.AA/9–2348: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Paris1
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Telmar 6. Tel from Leg Sofia2 states Brit Leg informed Bevin would discuss with you Brit FonOff reluctance take action parallel that we have authorized US Leg Sofia in replying Bulg FonMin Kolarov’s [Page 374] strong public assertion Bulg observed Peace Treaty and Western Allies failed in their treaty obligation support Bulg membership in UN.3 Tel added if US pursued action Brit FonOff might reconsider position.
For your background if discussion materializes, Kolarov in speech to Bulg Parliament Sep 4 accused US and UK “flagrant disrespect treaty obligations” while maintaining Bulg “fulfilling treaty obligations docilely”, asserting Bulg “carried out and continues to carry out all she contracted under Peace Treaty”, and proclaiming Govt “pursues consistent policy peace”. Leg Sofia recommended prompt refutation these assertions.
We concurred in desirability taking cognizance FonMin statements, and aide-mémoire which US Min Sofia was directed on Sep 21 to present Bulg FonMin rebuts FonMin by taking vigorous issue Bulg Govt violations human rights provisions TE, its rejection US efforts implement TR Mil clauses, etc., and concludes by reference overwhelming UN condemnation Bulg support Greek guerrillas in addition peace TR violations as further disqualification UN membership.4
In response Dept request comments and inquiry re parallel action contemplated, Brit FonOff felt during GA session such representations might “make waters even more turgid” mainly because discussion UN veto matters might arise Paris perhaps affecting Bulg application.5 We informed Brit US position UN veto matters clear and veto not involved present démarche, since Bulg only recd membership support USSR, Ukraine and Syria (basis universality). Further reiterated belief reply Kolarov statements and accusations against US desirable and, assuming no Brit objection unilateral US representations, instructed US Min Sofia take action earliest. After delivery aide-mémoire we intend make contents public.
- Secretary of State Marshall served as Senior United States Representative at the Third Session of the United Nations General Assembly which opened at Paris, September 21, 1948.↩
- Telegram 1191, September 21, from Sofia, not printed (501.BB/9–2148).↩
- Regarding the authorized action under reference here, see footnote 1, p. 370.↩
- Regarding the aide-mémoire delivered to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on September 23, see telegram 1203, from Sofia, infra. ↩
- Bulgaria first applied for membership in the United Nations on July 26, 1947. The application was disapproved by the Security Council in August and October 1947 and again in April 1948. For an account of fate of Bulgaria’s application for membership, see Year Boole of the United Nations, 1947–1948, pp. 482–486. Bulgaria renewed its application for membership in the United Nations in communications to the Secretary General dated September 22 and October 9, 1948 (United Nations document S/1012, September 24, 1948 and S/1012/Add. 1, October 11, 1948). On November 15, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly referred to an Ad Hoc Political Committee the question of the admission of new members, including Bulgaria. The United States attitude with respect to the applications of Bulgaria and other Soviet satellites was set forth by United States Delegate to the United Nations Benjamin V. Cohen in a statement to the Ad Hoc Political Committee on November 23, 1948; for the relevant portion of Cohen’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, December 5, 1948, p. 695. In December 1948, the General Assembly decided to recommend reconsideration by the Security Council of the membership question. For additional documentation regarding the position of the United States with respect to the application of additional states for membership in the United Nations, see volume i .↩