740.00119 Control Bulgaria/12–2344: Telegram
The American Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—7 a.m.]
42. I have sent the following self-explanatory letter this afternoon to the Deputy President of the Allied (Soviet) Control Commission:
“My Dear General Cherepanov: I want to tell you how sorry I was this morning that a previous luncheon engagement with General [Page 508] Marinov made it impossible for me to accept your kind invitation for this noon. But now I must add a statement of my regret that General Crane and I were not permitted to assist at General Marinov’s luncheon because the Russian military control post stationed a short distance before arriving at General Marinov’s residence turned us back on the grounds that we had no authority from the Allied (Soviet) Control Commission to proceed to our destination.
It was most kind of you to change your invitation from luncheon this noon to dinner this evening and I was most happy to accept. Now, however, as it is clearly established that for the time being I do not enjoy the privilege of free circulation, I think it best to restrict my movements to Sofia proper and to the route that leads to my residence until the question has been decided, once and for all, whether or not the US representative in Bulgaria is, in fact, confined to the area within the military posts established by the Russian Command, except when accompanied by a Russian officer. Therefore, please accept my sincere regret at not being able to accept your invitation for this evening.
Sincerely yours.”
General Crane is addressing a letter of protest against the restrictions placed upon his movements to Colonel General Biryuzov which will be dated tomorrow and text will be telegraphed.
Repeated to Moscow as 24 and to Caserta as 32.