Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

380. Telegram From the Embassy in Bulgaria to the Department of State¹

1985.

Sofia, May 28, 1985, 0829Z

SUBJECT

• The Antonov Trial in Rome: Bulgarian Response.

REF

• Sofia 1962.²

1. Confidential—Entire text.

2. Bulgaria greeted the opening day of the Antonov trial in Rome, Monday May 27, with BTA (Bulgarian press agency) declaration and a flood of articles declaring his innocence.

3. We assume FBIS will carry the full text of the BTA declaration³ which broke no new ground, but did say that world public opinion recognized the “campaign” against Bulgaria and that many publications rejected the “Bulgarian connection”, pointing instead towards the involvement of “intelligence centers of NATO.”

4. A report from Rome⁴ also noted that the interest of the United States in the trial was shown by the presence of four observers from the US Embassy in Rome.

5. Local press coverage of the trial May 27 was massive—lengthy radio commentaries and a special program on prime time television.

Lake

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850372–0084. Confidential; Priority. Sent for information to Ankara, Istanbul, Munich, Rome, and the mission to NATO.
2. Telegram 1962 from Sofia, May 23, reported on Bulgarian counter-propaganda on the eve of the Antonov trial. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850366–0971)
3. Not found.
4. Telegram 13428 from Rome, May 28. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850372–0717)