868.00/3–2449: Telegram

The Chargé in Bulgaria (O’Donoghue) to the Secretary of State

secret

253. We agree with both reasoning and specific proposal contained Belgrade’s 272, March 16 to Department repeated Athens 19, Moscow 40.

As Department aware, we have maintained and still maintain that effort “conciliate” what is basically not international dispute but foreign-supported internal revolution is from practical point view waste of time.1 Nevertheless the conciliation attempt has been started and assuming it can have no permanent results, it is our job to see that its failures are made clear and responsibility is clearly placed where it belongs. At GA meeting last fall we took bad propaganda beating because skillful maneuvering of satellites, Greek intransigence on Epirus and especially press misinterpretation Evatt statement. At this GA we (meaning also Greek) must regain lost ground and take the initiative.

For this purpose Belgrade’s suggestion appears best vehicle. In view constantly repeated stand present Bulgarian Government re western Thrace, would be virtually impossible Bulgarians accept suggested renunciation this claim on that region; that possible strong pressure by Albanians to renounce it for latter’s benefit would place further strain on inter-satellite relations which in any case appear somewhat tense; and extension guarantee to all Balkan borders will [Page 281] as Belgrade says, possibly smoke out future Cominform intentions re Macedonia, etc. Through all the fracas Greeks would come pristine pure, having at same time protected national integrity and made magnanimous conciliatory gesture, and not being involved in possible inter-Slav disagreements. Furthermore probable failure negotiations could be clearly blamed on Bulgarians and other satellites and moral justification provided for such border-sealing operations as Department may choose support.

Also concur Belgrade’s opinion that direct representations either Moscow or satellite capitals at least premature. While this expedient may have worked in Markos’s recognition case, it is of questionable general usefulness, and should be saved for occasions when has good chance success.

Sent Department; repeated Athens 9, Belgrade 15, Moscow 12.

O’Donoghue
  1. In his telegram 217, March 15, from Sofia, not printed, Chargé O’Donoghue reaffirmed the opinion, first expressed in December 1948, that counciliation without the actual stopping of aid to the Greek guerrillas and without enforcement of Greece’s northern border would be a mistake. Not only could O’Donoghue see no change of Bulgarian policy or attitude, but evidence indicated that Bulgaria bad possibly increased aid to the guerrillas. (501.BB Balkans/3–1549)