740.00119 Control (Bulgaria)/5–1945: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20—6:40 a.m.]
257. Gen. Crane returned on May 13. He has gone over the recommendations made in my 247, May 10. We are in agreement that while action recommended in third paragraph of that tel may not dislodge the Russians from their present exclusive position in Bulgaria as they are the military occupants of the country, it would reveal to Russians and Bulgarians and Russians [sic] alike our confidence in our own very strong position in world affairs, thus encouraging Bulgarians to rely on more factors in the international situation than merely the power and propaganda of Russia. I believe the local Brit are disposed to make a similar recommendation or at least to go along with us should it be decided to act in the suggestion. Implementation of any concessions that we might thus crowbar the Russians into would, as implied in paragraph 3 of Dept’s 63, Mar 10, be worked out on the spot.
In my tel 134 Mar 13 unrestricted movement in and out of aircircraft [our aircraft] and necessary personnel, and freedom of movement in Bulgaria for our personnel were stressed as additional essential conditions to effective participation in the work of the Control Com. Obviously in view of Russ occupation and actual control of local airports by the Russ military, liberalization of existing regulations governing arrival and departure of planes and personnel is a subject that can be dealt with only by negotiations presumably in Moscow. In my opinion such is not the case with respect to freedom of movement within Bulgaria. I believe we should forthwith notify Gen Biryusov and Bulgarian Govt in writing that Amer official personnel Bulgaria will no longer respect the Russ military order restricting this personnel to Sofia and its immediate environs and at same time request Bulg Govt to provide identification papers so prepared as to protect bearer from any molestation while moving about the country. Hostilities in Europe have [c]eased and Bulgaria cannot by any stretch of imagination now be described as the [apparent garble] war theatre.
It would seem justifiable to insist in view of provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of the armistice, on the right of the US Reps on Control Com to review with power of reversal any refusal by Russ military authorities to permit private US nationals to visit Bulgaria to look after their interests in the country. I believe that same should apply in the case of bona fide rep Amer press correspondents.
[Page 218]I am of the opinion that the case in support of tripartite control over elections in Bulgaria could not be better stated than it is in the Dept’s 84 of Mar. 2949 nor that the means of exercising control suggested in the second section of that telegram could be improved upon except that numerous British and American personnel were available which, of course, is not the case. I am strongly of the opinion this control should be kept separate and distinct from the ACC body that was established to regulate and supervise the execution of the armistice terms. In so far as the Russians may rightfully claim a preponderant interest in the local political situation over and above our interest on the basis of the Yalta declaration, the instrument of their action should not be a tripartite body set up for a specific and entirely different purpose.
I have been told by various Cabinet members that the project for the new electoral law is now under discussion in the Cabinet but it is believed even though the Communists continue to press for speed in holding the elections they cannot take place before the end of August.
In my opinion this matter of Tripartite surveillance of elections is crucial. Granted such a control over electoral preparations and the actual elections when they occur, I should say that the sooner they take place the better. I assume that until a popularly elected Government has taken office, the reestablishment of official relations with Bulgaria is out of the question. As I am most doubtful that our participation on the Control Commission can ever become effective I am of the opinion the time when official representation direct to the Bulgarian Government can be made should be hastened by US. The Govt has already asked for such relations with the USSR but has received a negative reply based on the grounds that such a step could be taken “only in full agreement with the US and UK”.
The local press has reported the British and Russian command in the Austrian area occupied by Bulgarian troops have reached an agreement demarcating the line of occupation between the British and Bulgarian troops. It is believed here that this use of Bulgarian forces for occupation outside the country will continue. If such is true General Crane and I urge that we and the British seek to gain as much advantage as possible from this situation and in consequence that the US and UK Governments convene [concede?] in agreement with Russia to some modification of Bulgaria’s status as an ex-enemy. I am encouraged to make this suggestion by the sympathetic views expressed in Deptel 74 of March 19.
Since General Crane’s return informal inquiries from highest official sources as to what changes are envisaged with respect to US and [Page 219] UK participation on the ACC are increasing daily in number and in intensity of desperation. In this connection see General Crane’s telegram 1684 of May 18 to Agwar.
Several weeks ago General Oxley stated in a telegram to the War Office that it is no good hoping that our Russian Allies carry old school ties in their pockets. I might add that our experience with them to date in Bulgaria proves they do carry around brickbats, brass knuckles and all other paraphernalia of the gas house gang. Their understanding of cooperation is about on a par with the gang’s respect for the rules of the Marquis of Queensberry.
Repeated to Moscow as 122 and to AmPolAd as 134.