501.AA/9–2348: Telegram
The Minister in Bulgaria (Heath) to the Secretary of State
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1203. Made representations to Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kolarov and left aide-mémoire as proposed Deptel 568, September 13 as amended by Deptel 584, September 21 and Deptel 588, September 22.1
Foreign Minister listened my exposition and made no comment until finished and then only inquired “is that all; does your government intend proceed further action than delivery of this communication”? I replied I was not instructed what further action my government contemplated in matter, but that I had noted publication today of his letter to Secretary General UN renewing application for membership that organization.2
Kolarov made no attempt argue statements re Bulgarian noncompliance peace treaty, but did say as regards Greece that “weak Bulgarian frontier forces” were unable control entry or exit Greek “refugees.” He admitted that Bulgaria offered asylum for such “refugees” and said that Bulgarian people sympathized with “what they considered were the democratic forces” of Greece; there were only “assertions” but no “proof” of Bulgarian aid to Greek partisans. I said UNSCOB report had eye witnesses reports of unhindered departure Greek partisan troops from Bulgarian soil.
Kolarov then concluded conversation, Kolarov stating he did not wish discuss my observations at this time, but they would be object of discussions within Bulgarian Government.
I regret I was not aware when I delivered this oral communication that today was first anniversary of execution of Nikola Petkov. It would have been appropriate to have called attention to that fact.
- None of the messages under reference here are printed, but see footnote 1, p. 370. For the text of the aide-mémoire delivered to Foreign Minister Kolarov by Minister Heath, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1948, p. 447.↩
- Regarding Bulgaria’s renewed application for membership in the United Nations and the Bulgarian communication under reference here, see footnote 5, p. 374.↩