SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS - Part 01

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Telegram 554 - London, April 12th, 1944

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 554

Following for the Prime Minister. Begins:

The development of a Resistance Movement in Bulgaria has brought to the surface again the Macedonian question. There are a considerable number of Bulgarians fighting with Tito’s men in southern Serbia and Macedonia, and Tito’s programme includes the establishment of an autonomous Macedonia. The Bulgarian Resistance Movement proper is divided on the Macedonian question, some sections of it advocating an autonomous Macedonia and others not.

2. We are determined at all costs to avoid being involved in the Macedonian question at this stage, and our liaison officers in Bulgaria are to be instructed to make it perfectly plain that we decline to discuss the question with anyone, and that our only concern is in getting Bulgaria out of the war and freeing Greek and Yugoslav territory from Bulgarian forces.

3. The Macedonian question has been the bane of Bulgarian politics for many years. It involves all Balkan countries to a greater or lesser extent. The Greek Government from the early days of the war have been suspicious of any contact we have had with the Macedonians, and our support of Tito in southern Serbia and of the Bulgarian Resistance Movement has led to a renewal of this nervousness. An autonomous Macedonia would cut across Greek aspirations to a frontier rectification with Bulgaria in, for instance, the Struma Valley. Tito’s advocacy of an autonomous Macedonia is understandable as part of his programme of diminishing Serbian influence, since such a state could only be formed at the territorial expense of Serbia. Our support of Tito, however, does not include support of his anti-Serbian aims. Bulgarian interest in Macedonia is, of course obvious.

4. Our information regarding the present situation in Macedonia and the Macedonian movement is, however, far from complete and, since the Partisans operating in Macedonia are under Tito’s control, we are asking our liaison officers in Yugoslavia to supply us with a report on their activities. Ends.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Telegram 775 - London, May 7th, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 775

My telegram Circular D. 52? of 29th March.

Yugoslavia

Ambassador, Belgrade, reports that Yugoslav Government decides on April 26th to recognize Hoxha’s Administration as Government of Albania and to establish diplomatic relations with that Government and with Bulgaria.

2. Yugoslav Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed Ambassador that he would receive an official notification of this effect. Ambassador replied that while decision about Albania was comprehensive, he did not quite understand the position regarding Bulgaria as that Yugoslavia is still at war with that country. Under-Secretary explained as Bulgarian Army was fighting along side Yugoslav troops in the liberation of the country, it was natural that Yugoslav Government should wish to establish some kind of diplomatic relations with Bulgarian Government. He explained that the position of Yugoslav representatives in Sofia would be analogous to that of Sir N. Charles in Rome.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Telegram 316 - London, February 20th, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 316

My telegram Circular D. 306 of 16th February

Yugoslav-Bulgarian relations

Proposed Yugoslav-Bulgarian Pact was discussed at Crimea Conference, but no final agreement was reached. In discussion Mr. Eden maintained that proposed Pact raised serious issues of principle as Bulgaria was an ex-enemy State whose affairs were regulated by Armistice regime. In our view Bulgaria was debarred from entering into such treaties without permission from the Armistice Powers concerned. Mr. Eden suggested that it should be made clear to the Bulgarian and Yugoslav Governments by the Three Powers that they should not proceed with proposed Pact. M. Molotov said he thought that the Three Powers should limit themselves for the present to an exchange of views, but promised to consider the whole matter further. No further progress was made at the Conference.

2. Brigadier MacLean has now been instructed to take an early opportunity to let Tito know our views, and we are informing Soviet Government that if there were any public allusion to a proposal for such a Pact we, likewise, would be obliged to make public our own views.

3. We are informing United States State Department and expressing hope that they will adopt attitude similar to our own.

Telegram 365 - London, February 27th, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 365

My telegram circular D. 316.

February 20th, paragraph 2, Yugoslav-Bulgar1an relations.

Brigadier MacLean has spoken to M. Tito according to his instructions.

2. During this conversation M. Tito said that the proposed Yugoslav-Bulgarian Agreement was one of trade and friendship which would in no way prejudice Greek interests. To Brigadier MacLean’s suggestion that the signature of such a Pact would cause a deplorable impression, M. Tito replied that signature was not in fact imminent. Tito said he was always telling the Bulgarians not to expect their neighbours to forget their past atrocious conduct in a few months, but on the other hand he had no wish to perpetuate the traditional enmity or two countries.