Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

874.00/7–646: Telegram

The Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent

Sofia, July 6, 1946—11 a.m.
[Received 3:20 p.m.]

519. The following is General Robertson’s 3116 to JCS:

1. Arrest and apprehension of civilian employees this Commission continues. A Bulgarian civilian employee was called out of my office this a.m. and forcefully arrested on sidewalk in front of my headquarters. I have exhausted all resources my command as to this intimidation including a personal conference with Lt. General Cherepanov USSR on 3 July, in which he stated he would speak personally to Bulgarian Govt on subject on 4 July. I feel that drastic action must be taken if we are to maintain semblance of prestige.

2. The activities of local militia have consisted espionage by observation and trailing of US officials: Arrest, intimidation and questioning of employees at length about our official activities, visits, persons contacted and subject conversation.

3. I have ample evidence of these activities. Considering the US has not recognized nor concluded a peace treaty with Bulgaria I believe that we have bona fide case against the Commandant of Bulgarian militia of espionage and subversive activity against US.

4. I told the Commandant of the personal view 3 days ago in connection with arrest of a chauffeur who was arrested and released after brief questioning. However, today I am again confronted by situation against which I have repeatedly complained to all competent Bulgarian and Russian authorities. I therefore believe that the time has come when I should be directed to tell Bulgarian and Russian authorities that my Govt is looking into question of citing before War Crimes, Nuremberg, any official responsible for further acts of espionage and subversive activities against US military personnel on Control Commission under armistice terms.

5. Mr. Barnes, US, Major General Oxley and Mr. Houstoun-Boswall both UK, concur in proposed action.²⁶ Immediate reply is requested.

Sent Dept as 519; repeated Paris as 101 for Delsec; to Moscow as 226 and to Bucharest as 26.

Barnes

26. In concurring with this recommendation in his telegram 518, July 6, 1946. from Sofia, Barnes added the following: “I realize that armistice period is about at an end and that there probably is no advantage to be gained by further efforts at this late date to improve our position on Control Commission but just because we are toward end of armistice period. I believe that everything possible should be done to recover such prestige as we can with Bulgarian public opinion. We have lost much through the manner in which Russians have been permitted to push us around. That we should tolerate same treatment at hands of Bulgarian militia is inconceivable.” (874.00/6–646)