611.69/2–2150: Telegram
The Minister in Bulgaria (Heath) to the Secretary of State
priority
266. Publicity handling of Shipkov trial should in my opinion present it as desperately concocted counter propaganda weapon to lessen unpleasant effect Bulgarian Government knows break in relations would have on bulk people and world opinion. Behavior of Foreign Office officials yesterday regarding delivery of note1 and their deceitful implications there might be change of view on Bulgarian Government’s part and ample evidence that Bulgarian Government desired to have its own story appear first; therefore, making withdrawal of Mission appear as “a good thing” for “people’s democracy”. (With full diplomatic courtesy, Legation called Foreign Office to say that communication would be delivered at noon; having delivered communication in spite of childish tricks of Foreign Office to prevent its delivery to any official personally, Legation notified Department that Foreign Office had indicated desire to discuss matter, and thus delayed immediate publication of US note, allowing Bulgarian Government every opportunity settle difficulty, in spite of fact they had already been allowed a month to decide upon course action.)
Possibly hastening “last touches” government then published immediately its indictment of Shipkov and Legation. Might be pointed [Page 523] out as strange coincidence, indeed, that day after delivery of US note was day selected for break of Shipkov story.
To point out contradictions, inconsistencies, mix-ups of dates and places is important but not new—every Communist trial since purge trials of Moscow has been repetitious conglomeration of lies in fantastic “confessions”. What is new about this trial is that Bulgarian Government hopes it will serve as “deus ex machina” to justify its unscrupulous and lawless treatment of its own people whose only crime was to earn their living by legitimate work for American Legation. Bulgarian Government inadvertently makes strange admission when, fearful that even in its scurrilous attack on Legation, people of intelligence and humanity might perceive kindness of intention on Legation’s part, goes out of its way to point out in indictment that “in this case Legation has not been led by human consideration”!
This in general I would suggest line to be followed for publicity and VOA treatment of Shipkov trial and our note breaking relations.