Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

871.00/5–545

Memorandum by the United States Representative on the Allied Control Commission for Bulgaria (Crane) to President Truman ³⁷

Washington, 3 May 1945.

Subject: The Current Situation in Bulgaria

1. Operation of Allied Control Commission, Bulgaria.

a. The Russians in Bulgaria, using one excuse or another, have imposed severe restrictions on the actions and movements of the members of the U.S. Representation on the Allied Control Commission. For example, they have insisted that no more than fifty officers and men comprise the American representation; they will allow no planes or personnel to enter or leave Bulgaria without previous clearance from them (to obtain this takes from five days to three weeks); no Americans are allowed outside Sofia without a Russian liaison officer accompanying them, and these officers can only be furnished the Chief U.S. Representative or someone on official business for him. Permission must be granted by the Russians to bring in every ounce of supplies or mail for the U.S. Representation and such is subject to inspection by the Russians on arrival. The Russians have refused to grant permission for the entry of U.S. citizens with legitimate reasons for wishing to enter Bulgaria. For example a Graves Registration party of the 15th Air Force was not allowed to come to Bulgaria because the Soviet High Command considered the U.S. Representation already in Bulgaria large enough for all U.S. needs.

b. The U.S. Representative on the Allied Control Commission in Bulgaria not only has had no voice in determining orders to be issued to the Bulgarian Government, but has been unable to obtain from the Allied Control Commission those directives and orders given to the Bulgarian Government by it although repeated requests have been made to the Russians for them. This information has been obtained from officials of the Bulgarian Government who gave it with much trepidation and in great secrecy.

c. It appears that a concerted effort is being made by the Russians to keep the influence and prestige of the United States at an absolute minimum with the goal of increasing the prestige of the completely Commimist-dominated Bulgarian Government and the USSR.

d. The Control Commission has interpreted the articles of the Armistice as it has seen fit with no reference to the United States or British Representatives thereon and in such a manner as to place an unprecedented and almost unbearable drain on Bulgarian resources. Apparently no effort has been made by the Control Commission to plan ahead so that Bulgaria may be able to meet such reparations as Greece and Yugoslavia may justly demand from her. There is no indication that the Control Commission will be anything but hostile to Greek demands on Bulgaria for reparations.

2. Political Situation in Bulgaria.

a. Since September 9, 1944, Bulgaria has been governed by a coalition government known as the “Fatherland Front” which is comprised of the Communist, Agrarian, Zveno and Socialist Parties. In reality, this government is completely dominated by the Communists who make up a small but well-organized party representing perhaps 10% of the population and who are backed up by the Russians in their every move. Moreover the presence of an occupying Russian Army gives great moral backing to the Communist Party.

b. The Bulgarian Militia, or State Police, has been completely communized and is being used by the Communist Party to terrorize and control the population of the country.

c. Political Commissars, all of whom are Communists, have been introduced into the Bulgarian Army to make sure that the Army hews to the government line.

d. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are non-existent in Bulgaria. Those who voice their sentiments too strongly hi opposition to the present government or its communistic program are immediately labeled “Fascists” and are dealt with accordingly.

3. Summary.

a. The Allied Control Commission, Bulgaria, is completely dominated by USSR. Russia, through the medium of the Allied Control Commission, is proceeding to impose a Communist-dominated government on Bulgaria despite the fact that this type government is not desired by an overwhelming majority of the population.

b. Through the Allied Control Commission and a Bulgarian Government dominated by Bulgarian Communists, Russia is ruling Bulgaria completely, politically, industrially and economically, taking what it wishes from the country in the way of foods, goods and money.

c. The Representatives of the United States and Great Britain on the Allied Control Commission are practically powerless to alter the present situation. The prestige of the United States is being adversely affected in the eyes of the world as a result of this situation and the restrictions placed on the activities of the U.S. Representation by the Russians.

d. The Bulgarians and those in other nations hold the United States and Great Britain jointly responsible for the actions of the Control Commission for it is, in name at least, an “Allied” Commission.

4. Recommendation.

a. It is recommended that the following course of action be followed with respect to the operation of the Allied Control Commission in Bulgaria:

(1) The United States to insist that the Russians withdraw immediately all the restrictions on the movements and actions now imposed on the United States Representation; give assurance that no others will be imposed and insist that the United States Representative, Allied Control Commission be allowed full power to determine what citizens of the United States should come to Bulgaria and in what numbers.

(2) The United States to insist on action towards Bulgaria by the Control Commission in line with the spirit of the Yalta Agreement, supporting its position by diplomatic pressure, by public announcement of the true Bulgarian situation and by threat of withdrawing economic and financial assistance from Russia.

b. It is suggested that no time could be more propitious than the present for such action on the part of the United States for, as indicated by Article 18 of the Armistice Terms, more truely tripartite action on the part of the Control Commission was contemplated during the period following the cessation of hostilities with Germany.

J. A. Crane

Major General, USA

37. Copy transmitted to the Secretary of State with covering memorandum of May 5 from the White House, by direction of Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy.