874.00/5–2845: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 289 p.m.]
279. Remytel No. 278 repeating Gen Crane’s tel to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In view of the statements made to Gen Crane by Gen [Page 236] Biryusov this afternoon, Gen Crane and I shall see the Bulgn PriMin this evening. I had an hour and half’s talk with him and Gen Velchev, the Bulgn Min of War, early this afternoon during which I sought to impress upon the two the larger aspects of the Dimitrov case in terms of the importance of the US in world affairs and the war objectives of the American people. The two Ministers, both of whom I believe to be fundamentally honest, made no such exaggerated statements as did Gen Biryusov to Gen Crane with respect to the case against Dimitrov. Neither one nor the other made any objection to my statement that I should not take such a positive position in the Dimitrov case were it not that I know that behind me was the whole of Bulgarian opinion that had not been warped by Communist ideology.
If Biryusov really means that the Dimitrov case is back in my hands I am sure it will be possible to notify the Dept shortly of a satisfactory solution of the matter.
Rptd to Moscow as 138.