Evening star., 1946-10-22
Russia Rejects Allied
Guarantee Of Free
Bulgarian Election
BY the Assoeiofed Press

Russia's jealous grip on the
Balkans was underlined anew today
as the State Department docketed
still another Soviet rebuff-this time
in connection with Bulgaria.
The department disclosed that the
latest friction developed when Russia
bluntly rejected an American plan
for Allied action to guarantee free
and fearless elections in Bulgaria.
Moscow's official representative,
Col. Gen. Sergei Rjryusov, asserted
the plan was not only improper from
a jurisdictional standpoint, but also
constituted rude interference" in
Bulgarian affairs.
Obviously nettled, the State De-
partment countered yesterday by
serving notice that it will keep a
sharp watch on the Bulgarian elec-
tions, scheduled for October 27. In
addition, it appeared likely that the
United States will continue to with
hold its recognition of the Bulgarian
government, at least until satisfied
that Bulgaria's assurances of a free
election have been fulfilled.
Byrnes Asked Free Election.
The issue-once again emphasizing
Soviet resentment over any attempt
to probe into Russias spheres of in
terest-developed originally from a
request made by Secretary of State
Byrnes in Paris on September "a.
At that time Mr.. Byrnes asked for
a special session of the tripower
Bulgarian Control Commission to
consider the steps" necessary to
insure a free election in Bulgaria,
and urged the following:
/. Freedom of press, radio and
assembly for the opposition,
2. Noninterference by the militia,
either with candidates or voters, ex-
cept to maintain law and order.
8. Release of political prisoners or
open declaration of charges against
them.
4. Elimination of any possible
threat of poStelection retaliation
for political reasons.
Reminded Of Yalta Hopes.
Mr.. Byrnes also addressed let
ter to Bulgarian Prime Minister
Kimon Georgiev reminding him OF
the hopes expressed at Yalta by
President Roosevelt, Prime Minister
Churchill and Prime Minister Stain
for free democratic elections in the
liberated lands.
The State Department said Geor-
giev replied that the Bulgarian gov
ernmept already had decided to hold
entirely free elections" and speci-
fed that freedom of the press in
Bulgaria was fully assured within
the limits of existing law" /
Georgiev further declared that
political prisoners had been liber-
ated, that Bulgarian laws prohib-
tied interference in elections by
the militia, and that steps had
been taken to remove any menace
of post-election reprisals.
Before the Premier's reply had
been received Maj. Gen. Walter M.
Robertson, American member OF
the Bulgarian Control Commission,
took up with Col. Gen. Biryusov,
Soviet representative, the question
of holding a special commission
meeting to consider the Bulgarian
election.
Held Bulgarian Issue.
The Soviet reply stated fatty
that any guarantee of free cleo
tions was "the prerogative of the
Bulgarian government" and added:
"The discussion of questions
raised by the commission, and even
more the taking of any kind OF
measures by the commission would
be in violation Of these preroga-
tives and rude interference in
the internal affairs of Bulgaria"
Gen. Robertson replied that ne
disagreed with the Soviet conten-
ton. He also notified Biryusov
that he was turning the, dispute
over to Secretary Byrnes with
the request that he take such steps
as he may consider necessary"
There was no immediate indica-
ton what steps Secretary Byrnes
might contemplate, but persons
close to him said the newest snag
in American-Soviet relations prob
ably would harden his determina-
ton to pursue firm" policy
toward Moscow at the November
foreign ministers meeting in New