501.BB/9–2448: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
4259. Peck, Southern Department, Foreign Office (in absence of Wallinger who is in Paris) gave us following further views concerning [Page 376] British démarche in Sofia regarding Kolarov’s Sobranje statement (Deptel 584, September 21 to Sofia, repeated London 3710):1
According Peck Southern Department entirely agrees that Kolarov statements should not be left unanswered and publicity has already been given to more inaccurate and tendentious passages. Peck cited broadcast of September 14 to all southeast satellies on UNSCOB report in which Kolarov’s claim to admission to UN was refuted in very strong terms.
Peck says Foreign Office reasons for not wishing to protest at this time are tactical. Bevin hopes to discuss in Paris with Secretary and perhaps with Soviet and other delegates, among other issues of UN, whole question of admission new members. Foreign Office prefers, in these circumstances and since indictment of Bulgarian Government would greatly decrease chances of agreement, to await outcome of Paris talks before deciding whether British démarche in Sofia is desirable or whether arguments could be better used in statement by British Delegate in Assembly. Peck says that, while US position on veto issue has been made clear, Foreign Office feels denouncement of Bulgarian Government’s claim to admission would constitute at this moment public pre-judgment of very problem which may be discussed. Therefore, according Peck, Foreign Office has decided for its part to postpone any official reaction to Kolarov’s speech until results of above-mentioned talks by Mr. Bevin are known.
In our discussions on this matter with Wallinger and Peck we have received impression that it has been desire of UN Department Foreign Office that no British démarche be made in Sofia at this time. We have had impression that Southern Department has been favorable to making representations and Peck indicated informally to us that representations will be made by British on this subject at some later period.
Sent Department 4259, repeated Paris for Gadel 661, Sofia 34.