874.00/8–445: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 4—10:10 a.m.]
416. Speaking over radio yesterday p.m., Petko Stainov sought to make political capital for FF (Fatherland Front) out of Potsdam declaration.20 He presented those portions of declaration that relate to recognition of and peace negotiations with ex-satellites as a special victory for FF Bulgaria by referring to his note to deputy president of ACC (Allied Control Commission) requesting establishment of regular diplomatic relations and acceptance of Bulgaria as a United Nation and pointing out Allies have now prepared way for peace negotiations with Bulgaria. The Minister spoke of Bulgaria’s loyal and complete (question mark) fulfillment of armistice terms and of contribution of Bulgarian arms to Allied victory. He said that one condition alone remains to complete the requirement laid down by Allies for passage from present abnormal state of affairs to state of official and peace time relations with Allies, namely, that in “Plebiscite” scheduled for August 26 (and he emphasized this Plebiscite will be held on August 26): the Bulgarian people give a resounding “yea” in support of all that FF has done since September 9, 1944. Judging from Minister’s remarks it is clear he and his colleagues in Government remain firm in faith that Russia can arrange matters for them no matter what. If the Potsdam declaration means what I hope and believe that it does—unfettered elections as a condition precedent to recognition, and recognition as a condition precedent to place [peace?] negotiations—then Petko Stainov’s record of consistent misinterpretation remains unmarred. On the other hand prospects for unfettered elections in near future will remain—until the Allies speak out and make it clear to every Bulgarian that they do not intend to conclude peace without [with] minority-dominated governments. Freedom of speech, press and of assembly are denied to all but the candidates of the FF and these [their?] supporters. The [Page 275] campaign of press calumny and of militia intrepidation [intimidation?] against those who helped to bring the FF into being, but who are now in opposition because what they fashioned with so much hope has turned out to be a Frankenstein in the hands of the Communists and against all other advocates of democratic processes, continues unabated.
Petko Stainov’s radio speech is printed in the press today under the headline “The elections of August 26 and the government’s policy to date opens the doors of peace to us.”
Repeated Moscow 214.
- For communiqué issued at the Berlin Conference on August 2, see Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. ii, p. 1499.↩