740.00119 EW/10–1545: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes)
381. Brit Emb has informed Dept that Vyshinski has replied to Brit note of Oct 24 regarding (1) Bulgarian reparations to Greece and (2) foodstuffs to be supplied by Bulgaria to Greece in accordance with Article I of Protocol to Armistice Agreement. Soviet reply states (1) that question of reparations to Greece can be considered only on basis of official document from Greek Govt formulating claim and (2) that Soviet Govt has instructed Biryusov to study possibility of supplying foodstuffs from Bulgaria to Greece together with Brit and US Reps.
Brit Emb has indicated that, in view of fact that Greek demands signed by Greek Foreign Minister have been submitted to Biryusov (urtel 604 Oct 15), Gen Oxley will now propose discussion of these matters by ACC and press for prompt action by that body.
Please ask Gen Crane to support strongly Gen Oxley’s approach and to urge action by ACC without delay on this matter, which is considered by this Govt to be important and to involve a categorical and indisputable obligation on part of Bulgarian Govt under the Armistice. War Dept concurs in this instruction. Reurtel 770 [710] Nov 20, just received, it is indicated from Vyshinski’s reply above that all three Govts agree ACC should deal with question at this stage.
Sent to Sofia; rptd to London, Moscow, and Athens.15
- As Nos. 10226, 2391, and 1180, respectively.↩