FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1 9 4 6, VOLUME VI



874.00/9-1846: Telegram
The Acting Representative in Bulgaria (Rewinkel) to the Secretary-
                              of State

SECRET                            SOFIA, September 18, 1946-   p. m.
                                [Received September 19-2: 09 p. m.]
  749. I have just returned from interview with Prime Minister
Georgiev at which time I conveyed to him Secretary's comments in.
Paris telegram 41 [4641], September 16, repeated Department as
Delsec 950."4 Georgiev stated he was in Paris at time of suspension
of
Svoboden Narod and trial of specific Opposition journalist and there--
fore, knew none of facts nor reasons of cases. Suspension of Narodno
Zemedeisko Zname for short period was ordered on authority of In-
formation Minister who had administrative jurisdiction in such mat-
ters possibly for some "minor infraction" concerning which Georgiev
had no details. He assured me he would investigate three cases men-
tioned and inform me of reasons which had impelled government to-
act thus.
  I said that in light of his assurances to the Secretary in Paris con-
cerning improved conditions for opposition in forthcoming election
campaigns, Secretary was most interested in learning whether Govern-
ment was taking steps which would ensure to Opposition parties the
possibility to campaign without restrictions and participate freely in
coming elections. Georgiev would not commit himself that Govern-
ment was actually taking measures to diminish restrictions on Opposi-
tion activity but stated that Government was most anxious that Op-
position participate in elections since this was only way to "normalize
conditions" in Bulgaria. To my repeated question as to what present
conditions were re freedom of Opposition activities Georgiev only
replied that in past the Opposition leaders had frequently complained
to and consulted with him re situation obtaining in the country but
it was now 14 days since his return from Paris and no Opposition
leader had as yet consulted with or complained to him. Therefore, he-
could only assume they had no complaints to register. (I refrained
from replying that in view of previous fruitlessness of Opposition
denmarches they had probably despaired of obtaining satisfaction from
the Prime Minister.)
  (G-eorgiev went on to say that unfortunately Opposition itself was
deliberately creating many difficulties for the Government by em-

  7Not printed; in it. Rewinkel was directed to express to Prime Minister
Georgiev the astonishment and disappointment of the Secrietary of State at
the
suspension of Opposition newspapers and the trial and sentencing of an Opposi-
tion journalist notwithstanding Georgiev's promises to the Secretary and
his
formal undertaking regarding free elections and fair treatment of the Opposition
parties (740.00119 Council/9-1646).



146