FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1946, VOLUME VI



would include all those who choose to remain in Government with
Communists including himself, if he so decides and he said he would
proceed cautiously step by step toward Petkov; that he could make
no hasty decision to leave so-called front. His predicament is difficult
one. If he doesn't join Petkov he will gradually lose his Agrarian
following in GNA to Petkov. If he breaks with Communists now he
will be even more hated by them than Petkov, Lulchev and Stoyanov.
Zveno, Neikov Socialists and Radicals are like club servants who re-
main on after hours to look after gambling table; they get their added
compensation from the "kitty" that is made up from bit pots, viz.,
dis-
tribution from "central list".
  Truly outstanding fact of elections is that for first time in country's
history, Bulgarian currents of political opinion run in only two large
streams, namely, Communist and Agrarian. Close examination of
vote as indicated mytel 866 suggests that true relative strength these
currents is about two million combine Agrarians as opposed to about
800,000 Communists. Remaining million 400,000 votes represented
largely by so-called Government dowry and by smattering of Social-
ists, Zvenars and Democrats.
  Little actual difference in economic and social programs exists be-
tween two main currents. Fundamental difference is on score of civil
and personal liberties. Communists look east for their inspiration,
which means that civil and personal liberties are unimportant as com-
pared to overall interests of state. Agrarians look to west and with
west believe that state's primary function is to assure civil and personal
liberties within limits of common good.
  Cabinet will meet tomorrow to determine what immediate steps, if
any, necessitated by election results. GNA will he convened November
7.
  Sent Dept. repeated London 197, Moscow 344.
                                                          BARNES
874.00/11-446: Telegram
The Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State

'TOP SECRET                       SOA, November 4, 1946-3 p. m.
                                   [Received November 5-2 a. m.]
  885. Since my talk with Obbov, briefly reported paragraph 5, mytel
869, October 29, I have had several conversations with him and number
of exchanges of messages. For most part he has sought these ex-
changes of ideas. He obviously has no liking for possibility that he
may definitely be stamped Communist in our estimation.
  Yesterday he expressed some rather startling views. I had asked him
what this [his?] reaction would be should Petkov make public appeal



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