84. Telegram From the Embassy in Bulgaria to the Department of State1
1511. Subject: Secvisit: 33rd UNGA. Ref: State 184758.2
1. As we have earlier reported Foreign Minister (and Politburo member) Petur Mladenov plans to attend the UNGA in New York September 25–28.3 Further details will be provided later.
2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has specifically requested a meeting between Mladenov and Secretary Vance. The Bulgarians have also indicated, here and in Washington, that if a meeting in New York is not feasible at that time, Mladenov would appreciate a meeting in Washington.
3. Embassy strongly recommends that the Secretary see Mladenov. Mladenov is the only Eastern European Foreign Minister who has not had an opportunity to meet with the Secretary. Moreover, gradually improving Bulgarian-American relations and expressed Bulgarian offi [Page 247] cial interest in consideration for MFN on the basis of existing American legislation make such a meeting very much in US interest.4
4. Embassy has no indication of likely Bulgarian Chief of State or Head of Government attendance at UNGA, and considers it unlikely. Without raising the question, we will of course report any change in this situation.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780309–1109. Confidential. Sent for information to USUN.↩
- Telegram 184758 to all diplomatic posts, July 21, requested that the Department be informed of the level, dates, and duration of attendance of high-level delegations to the 33rd UNGA. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780301–0764)↩
- In telegram 183096 to Sofia, July 19, the Department reported to the Embassy that on July 13 Himmirsky informed the Department that Mladenov would travel to New York for the UNGA and “would like to meet with the Secretary between September 25 and September 28.” Himmirsky also said that, if the Secretary “were not in New York but were available in Washington during that period, Mladenov would be willing to see him in Washington.” The Department reiterated its support for such a meeting, but stressed that the Secretary’s schedule for New York had not been finalized. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780297–0352) The discussion created the impression on the Bulgarian side that a meeting between the two Ministers had been agreed on. (Telegram 1436 from Sofia, July 18; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780295–1104) On July 27, Garthoff reported that he had clarified “that the proposed Mladenov-Vance meeting in September was not fully and finally set.” “We are off the hook” he continued, but concluded that “I am sure Mladenov is counting on the meeting. I of course strongly hope and expect that the meeting will take place.” (Telegram 1510 from Sofia, July 27; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780309–1097)↩
- In telegram 1870 from Sofia, September 8, Garthoff again recommended a meeting between Vance and Mladenov at the UNGA and forwarded the Bulgarian request for a response by September 15. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780367–0620) In telegram 231290 to Sofia, September 12, the Department informed the Embassy that the Vance-Mladenov meeting had not been approved. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780371–0734) On September 13, the Department informed the Embassy that “the chances of such a meeting would be virtually nil even with another strong recommendation from the Ambassador” and that Nimetz would be willing to meet with the Foreign Minister sometime between September 26 and 28. (Telegram 232045 to Sofia, September 13; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780372–1226) In telegram 1934 from Sofia, September 15, Garthoff reported that “Tsvetkov was visibly crestfallen” at being told that a bilateral with Vance was not possible and turned down a meeting between Nimetz and Mladenov. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780375–0992)↩