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# SECRETSecurity Information-2-for certain actions that were directed against him. KELLY stated that he was imprisoned a few times and that he suffered terribly during those periods because of his inability to withstand imprisonment.6. In order that I might have a clear picture of his background and initial contacts with the Americans in Sofia and later in Athens, as well as his associations with other intelligence services in Bulgaria and Greece, KELLY stated that he preferred to start from the beginning of his clandestine work in Bulgaria and chronologically bring me up to date on his activities and ensuing events. Since much of KELLY's discussion is repeated in a report he had pre- viously prepared and which is in his files and since a great deal of the dis- cussion had no direct bearing on the purpose of the mission, I will for the sake of brevity and clarity avoid those portions of his story.7. According to KELLY, the highlights of his background and activities are as follows: When the Communist regime gained control in Bulgaria he realized the position the people of Bulgaria were placed in and that under Communism the people were not going to be any better off than they were under the Fascists or Nazis. The only salvation for the Bulgarian people was for the Democratic powers to achieve control and thereby extend their form of government to the Bulgarian people. He therefore proceeded to exploit Bulgaria with a view to organizing adherents into clandestine groups in order to werthrow the Communist government that was in control. KELLY stated that he had organized over 250 cells consisting of some 10,000 persons throughout Bulgaria and Macedonia.8. According to KELLY, in 1945 he met the American General Crane in Sofia and the General requested KELLY to prepare a program of his organization out- lining its mission, functions, etc.. Upon complying with this request KELLY stated that General Crane informed him that his program was very favorable and that he (General Crane) desired KELLY to work for him. KELLY said he agreed and proceeded personally to exploit the cells of his organization in Bulgaria.9. In 1946 while KELLY was inspecting units of his organization in Bulgaria he was arrested by the Communists and tried and found guilty on four counts and imprisoned. According to KELLY the only reason he was not given the death sentence was because the Communists had hoped to use him as a witness against Nikola Petkov, Agrarian leader in Bulgaria who was also fomenting unrest among the Agrarian factions. KELLY continued by stating that he remained in prison for approximately six months near Vratsa where he was tortured by the police in an effort to extract from him information on his organization and people with whom he was associated, particularly Americans. KELLY said he did not reveal the information which the police desired.10..Early in 1947 through members of his organization he was able to make his escape from the prison. He made his way to Sofia where he tried to contact General Crane, but learned that General Crane was no longer in Sofia and that his replacement was a Mr. Horne (probably John Horner, Chaege d'Affairs A.I. of the Political Mission in Sofia). Through the Mission secretary, KELLY made an appointment to see Mr. Horne and when he did meet him Mr. Horne told himthat he was notSECRET