874.00/5–2845: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1170. Please inform FonOff as follows:72
“The Soviet and British Governments were informed in a previous communication that G. M. Dimitrov, Bulgarian Agrarian leader, had on May 24 presented himself for protection at the residence of Maynard Barnes, US Representative in Bulgaria, and that Barnes had forthwith placed the matter before the Bulgarian authorities. The Department also instructed Barnes to inform the ACC for Bulgaria of this development through the American member of the Commission General Crane.
Reports from the US Representative now indicate that the Bulgarian authorities have unfortunately not been able to agree on the disposition to be made of Dimitrov or on arrangements for his safety. The appearance meanwhile of substantial numbers of Bulgarian armed forces around Barnes’ residence and the later intervention of Soviet units demonstrate the gravity of the consequences which threaten to arise from this situation.
Believing that this situation requires the concerted attention and action of the three principal Allies, the US Government hopes that the Soviet and British Governments will instruct their representatives in Sofia to join with Barnes in urging upon the Bulgarian authorities the need for them to fulfill their rightful responsibilities by making such dispositions as will enable the US Representative to be relieved of Dimitrov’s custody under circumstances which will satisfy him that Dimitrov’s life and legal rights will be adequately safeguarded.
On the basis of the fairly extensive information in its possession regarding Dimitrov and his activities the US Government considers that his democratic sentiments, freedom from Fascist sympathies and loyalty to the Allied cause cannot be questioned. Should the Soviet or British Government possess contrary information the US Government would like to be apprised thereof.”
Sent to Moscow and London; repeated to Sofia and Caserta.73