Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON June 24, 1946 = SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS 340 RUSSIA BULGARIA Our representative in Sofia reports that Soviet troops departing from Bulgaria apparently left all heavy equipment behind. The sudden return of Soviet General Biryusov to Bulgaria is interpreted as an attempt to secure the 051 Bulgarian Communists in their present position of dominance and BULGARIA to assure Soviet political and military interests south of the Danube before the withdrawal of the Red Army. 051 CZECHOSLOVAKIA During a visit to London, Czech Foreign Minister Masaryk attempted to reassure Bevin that in spite of recent Communist electoral gains in Czechoslovakia, political developments there in the immediate future should not be cause for worry. The UK Foreign Office told Harriman that Masaryk was not very successful. Harriman adds that the British have dis- - trusted President Benes for several years fearing that he was ready to compromise too much with the Soviets. 051 a EGYPT The British have presented new proposals to the Egyptians which are believed to include the establishment of a joint military commission similar to the Canadian American commission and a second committee on a higher level to examine Middle East defense problems. 051 ITALY Embassy Rome reports that the King's sudden departure from Italy was reportedly caused by his learning of a Monarchist plot to seize the republican government by force. Rumors of monarchist plotting may have reached Molotov in Paris and prompted his allegations of the existence of chaotic political conditions in Italy. 051 - JAPAN Our political representative in Tokyo believes there would be no quicker way to destroy the value of or to undermine the Japanese peoples respect for any new constitution than to have them feel that it was dictated by the Far Eastern Commission or by any group of foreign representatives of foreign powers. DECLASSIFIED After E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT- We NARS, Date 11-12-to