611.69/1–3150: Telegram

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

secret

132. According to Wireless Bulletin1 January 28, Washington Post editorial comment urges Congress “take cognizance sorry state these particular treaties (with satellite countries) and by concurrent resolution declare them null and void”.

[Page 510]

Although we have full right and good cause declare treaties wholly violate, I assume European policy will continue to be that Bulgaria shall not be allowed escape her treaty responsibility and that we will persist in enforcement efforts in UN and elsewhere. So long as we insist on performance we have valuable grounds on which to challenge present Bulgarian regime and to demand its recognition of international duties and obligations.

If we sever relations this need not mean abrogation of treaty, but rather recognition of its violation and our determination that it will be observed. If we declare treaty null and void we presumably relinquish our declared rights as victor and permit existence of a regime in this vanquished nation at least as evil as that which we exterminated by war. Our only alternative then would be to abandon our policy vis-à-vis Bulgaria or to renew threat.

As long as this remains a cold war, however, we should retain the good weapon we have in the peace treaty on the basis of which we can justify any démarches we may wish to make in the interests of bringing about representative responsible government in Bulgaria, withdrawal of recognition is for moment sufficient condemnation of this government. Our cancellation of the treaty would carry no greater weight at this time and, unless followed by stronger measures than may be considered reasonable at present, might turn our strong stand in breaking relations into temporary victory for the Bulgarians.2

Heath
  1. The Wireless Bulletin was the official news service of the Department of State, prepared by the Division of International Press and Publications, and transmitted daily by radio to foreign services posts abroad.
  2. Telegram 115, February 4, to Sofia, not printed, stated that the Department of State agreed with Minister Heath regarding the inadvisability of declaring the Bulgarian Peace Treaty null and void. If the withdrawal of the Legation from Bulgaria became necessary, the Department preferred to interpret such an action as a suspension of diplomatic relations rather than a withdrawal of recognition. The taking of this position would allow the Department to retain a freer hand to reopen the Legation whenever such action might seem advisable. (611.69/1–3150)