740.00119 Control (Bulgaria)/3–645: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:45 p.m.]
116. General Crane and I realize that to accede to Bulgaria’s request for the status of co-belligerency (please see General Crane’s telegram No. 1280 of March 6 to the Joint Chiefs of Staff) would no doubt evoke reactions in Greece and Turkey which we, of course, are in no position to estimate or evaluate with any accuracy; also that public opinion both at home and in the British Empire are factors that must be taken into account in deciding the matter. Basing our judgment entirely upon considerations within the scope of our limited horizon, it seems to us that the status should be accorded. Obviously the Russians favor the proposal or they would never have brought up the matter with the British and ourselves. They are quite [Page 170] capable of granting the status unilaterally, thus strengthening the hand of the local Communist party, and further belittling the role in local affairs of those Bulgarians who still count on the sympathetic interest in their country of the United States and Great Britain. Should they not act alone but place responsibility for the refusal on the United States and Britain, the effect on the local political situation would be much the same. In this connection, please see my telegram No. 110, March 2, 2 p.m. It is our feeling that if there are no other controlling factors, the decision should be taken on the basis of serving our present and future position in Bulgaria as best possible.
Repeated to Moscow as 44 and to Caserta as 51.