Office of the Historian

740.00116 EW/12–2144: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Representatives 91

Washington, December 21, 1944—midnight.

Barnes understands that all members of Muraviev Cabinet except Muraviev himself and Dimov have been released but have signed pledges to appear before the Peoples courts when called. This move is generally considered to mean that only Dimov is in danger. It is generally believed that the Russians had been persuaded not to take action against the other ministers since such action would undermine the declaration of war against Germany which constituted the final action of the Cabinet in question. War criminal trials will begin on December 21 and there is some fear that the penalties will be heavy and justice may not be dispensed impartially. Those persons bearing the greatest responsibility for Bulgarian participation in the war such as Filov, Gabrovsky92 and Prince Cyril are now imprisoned in Russia where they will be held for trial by an international court.

Stettinius
  1. The diplomatic representatives at London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Bern, Cairo, Ankara, and Stockholm.↩
  2. Peter Gabrovski, Bulgarian Minister of Interior, February 1940—August 1943.↩