POPULAR ATTITUDES IN BULGARIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004700560001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: REPORT

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INFORMATION REPORT
CQNi' N AL
.REPORT
SUBJECT Popular Attitudes DATE DISTR.
24August ,19511
in Bulgaria
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NO. OF PAGES
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
This is UNEVALUATED
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVE j,?
Industrial Laborers
many people weforeec to-` take any` kiod 'of f,job, mostly in fsctori. s; hoping 25X1
that in the future they might get abetter job. However, mo:;t of them found
themselves tied to the# jobs like slaves. Another reason for dissatisfaction
waste' new " sysstem of wages, known in Bulgaria as Opodrednorasriadnia sisteme p 25X1
and factory workers. According to`the. new. "labor code, an employee could not change
his place of work Without the permission atrthe' "chief." As a consequence
Furst of all, workers were not
free to change their p ace "of work. This applied both to 'white collar workers
900 leva per month, including his overtime wages. After the new system was
put into` effects' his wages were reduced by 200-300 1,%vaDer month.. In the
of this , eyste was to lower the salaries.of~" workers. That is quite probable,
beeanse" before the introduction of the `new system, received almost
beginning of.19531 J Nikolov received
700 le'a and, sometimes only 500 or 600'le'a per month.
2. Another reason for dissatisfaction was the constant increase in work norms.
In Bulgaria, every worker bad to complete a certain taork norm per, dayi If
STATE IrARNY
C aIDiENTIAL
(Note: Wasbinaten DhIribetiee Indicated By "X", Field Distribetlon By
This Document contains information sffe fife Na-
tional Defenbe of the United 8tetss, with ?!be Meer-
big of Title 18, Sections 783 and 794, of the U.B. Code. as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorjasd person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
AEC
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a worker did not comple.ei the-norm, his salary was lowered. On the other hand,
the norms were established on`the basis of the work of an average worker. This
caused a constant increase in:rork norms.
3.
He worked in
the government lithographic enterprise"Grafikllin Sofia. Work norms in that en-
terprise were increased almost every month. The majority of the workers were
unable to fulfill their work norms, and as a result, their salaries were con-
stantly reduced. Even shop workers were dissatisfied because the wages for a
double or triple amount of work were also reduced.
Independent Farmers
4. In general, it can be said that the
Bulgarian farmers were very attached to their land and did not care to join
agricultural cooperatives. Two or three years ago there were open uprisings
of peasants in the Yablanitsa region which were reported even by the Communist
press. The Communist Warty sent special propagandists to calm down the peas-
ants. The peasants of the Vidin region also protested openly to the Regional
Committee of the 'Communist Party.
Din 1952 she visited Oryakhovo, a sm town on a anu e, were e
daughter's mother-in-law lived. Before she returned to Sofia she took a trip
on the Danube. 'rThile she was waiting for a boat, she engaged in a casual
conversation with a peasant who complained to her about the conditions in his
village. He told her the peasants received very little money for their work
on cooperative farms, that most of the peasants did not have enough bread by
December (which never happened in Bulgaria in the old days), and that they had
to buy their bread in a store, although the harvest had been very good. The
woman, , was not sure if the peasant was sincere or if he was
a Communist provocateur, so she did not make any comment.
5. Another fact, well-known throughout the country, and one of the causes of dis-
satisfaction among the peasants, was that they had to give to the State almost
half of their harvest at verylow prices.
6. Another example:
He often said that he had to sell the milk to the State at
A peasant delivered milk every morning
0.75 leva per liter, while the State sold it for 3.20 leva per liter. He called
it robbery. That is how the Communist State robbed both the peasants and the
city dweller. It was generally known that the peasants were greatly dissatis-
fied, and the Communist Party often had to send special propagandists to the
different regions and villages to quiet the peasants. But these facts were not
published in the press.
t drpt. :Op(1fotoCinetnatop, raphy,
one of the employees there, was sent by the Central
Committee of the Communist Party to a small villa e in the Vidin region to
"strengthen" a cooperative farm. one of the Communists not
known to the public, but very m
blind devotion to the regime.
very active in the clande t' e
outstanding terrorists.
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8. If the Communist Party had to send its best agents to the villages to strengthen
farm cooperatives, this clearly showed the true situation in Bulgarian villages
and the attitude of Bulgarian peasants toward the Communist regime.
Church Leaders
9. It was generally known that the Communist Party pursued an intensive anti-
religious policy. Religious education had been banned from Bulgarian schools.
Teachers and professors in Bulgarian schools had to prove to their pupils that
there was no God, and that 'treligion is opium for the people.', From 1945 until
1919, the ringing of church bells was prohibited. remembers cele- 25X1
brating two Easters without the ringing of church bells. There were many political
court actions against the Protestant Church and the Catholic Church. Several
Protestant preachers and Catholic priests were condemned to death. At the same
time, the Communist Party endeavored to force the churches to follow the Com-
munist Line. Recently the patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was chosen.
Members of a Congress of priests sent telegrams of congratulations to the Prime
Minister, Vulko Chervenkov. That gave the public the impression that high Ortho-
dox clergymen were sold on the Communists. 25X1
three representatives of the Orthodox Church: 25X1
Metropolitan Stefan, a convinced anti-fascist, but also a convinced anti-Com-
munist. He was the first exarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church after World
War II, he was in disfavor and had 25X1
been exiled to a small Bulgarian village. Another priest 25X'
a Russian priest who migrated to Bulgaria after the Russian Revolution in 1917. 1
also anti-Communist and also in dis- 2.5X:
grace. He was one of the best theologians in Bulgaria.
the Communist regime had been negative. Even if the high clergy cooperated with
the Communists, one could find an excuse for this in the fact that the church had
to be preserved.
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Communist Party Members
10. This is really a difficult question. It was known that the members of the Com-
munist Party always had to manufacture Communist propaganda, esnaniallv who--
they talked with persons who were not Communist Party members. 25X1
most Communists were either fanatics or persons without moral principles. On one 25X1
occasion in June 1953 a conversation between 25X?
.he Bulgarian Communist leader who was visiting the 2.SX secre ary o e ommi ee of Bulgarian Democratic Women, with 25X1
another woman In the office 25X1
of the Committee of Bulgarian Democratic Women which was two rooms on the fourth I
floor of a building occupied by the National Council of the Fatherland Front.
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The three women talked about the monetary
reform and prices. At that time this was a subject of discussion everywhere,
because once more everybody had to feel the cruelty of Communist hypocrisy. It
was very interesting the opinion of one of the outstandin 25X1
Communists on this question, 25X1
it was very difficult for her to
explain to the audiences this money reform and prices, because she could read in
the eyes of her audiences that they did not know whether to believe her or not.
She went on to say that it was a real martyrdom for her to give these lectures
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because she hereself did not have faith in the so-called "good" intentions of
the Communists, but as a Party member she was obliged to make that propaganda..
11. This example was very significant
one of the highest Communists, sister of "the father of our people." This, in her
mind, proved that there were many Communist Party members who had become dis-
illusioned, but as Party members, they had to play their roles.
Bulgarian Youth
12. the conditions and the attitude of Bulgarian
youth, especially the students.
certain that the attitudes of the youth of Bulgaria toward the Communistr-regime
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were more than negative. 25X1
the causes of this profound dissatisfaction of Bulgarian youth. Young 25X1
pepple in Bulgaria, from an early age, were brought up to love and deeply respect
national traditions and history. They were taught in childhood the glorious
history of their past. At home and in school, they were taught to be strong and
to endure difficulties:, as had their people who were under Turkish rule for five
centuries. The first book they had to read was a national novel called Under the
Yoke, which described the last years of Turkish domination and the struggle
against it, glorifying the heroism of Bulgarians fighting for national liber-
ation in 1870 to 1876. The Communists have tried to destroy the cultural tra-
ditions of the Bulgarian people. They repudiated the works of their great
national writers, such as Ivan Vasov, Fencho Slaveikov, Yordan !odkov, Anton
5trakhimirov, and Todor Vlaykov. The Communists went so far as to propose the
destruction of the house in which Pero Yavorov was born, one of the greatest
poets since the liberation, accusing him of being individualistic..
13. The Communists tried to destroy the free spirit of Bulgarian youth. All youth
organizations were suspended to form only one youth organization, namely, the
Dimitrov Union of People's Youth. Communist papers frankly admitted that this
union was under the complete influence of the Communist Party. All young people
had to belong to this organization, otherwise they could not hope for anything.
They could neither go to the university nor get a good job. In this organization
members were spied upon by group trustees. Each trustee had a special notebook
in which he entered the names of the members of his group. He had to put down
everything about the young man or woman in his file: his attitude toward "People's
Power;' and the activities of "People's Power," and names of his friends,and how
he met them. The trustee also tried to get into the intimate circle of friends
of the group member in order to establish better the political attitude of each
member.
14. In order to convert to Communism the Bulgarian youth, the Dimitrov Union created
Youth Brigades under the direction of the Communist Party. These brigades existed
three years as informant recalls. The interesting thing about the brigades was
that it was stated that no one was obliged to belong to them, but when one had
to fill out forms to register in a university, to get a job, or anything, there
was always a question asking if the applicant had belonged to the Youth Brigade
movement. The aim of these brigades was purely political.
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15. In these camps where youth brigades worked on various projects (later almost
without exception abandoned) during the vaction time, they had no time to
tz emselves. After a hard day of work they had to attend courses in politics
and physical exercise.
During all that time they
had only one free Sunday on which they had to march to a nearby town. They
had no time to think whether what they were told was right or not, -F
They did not care to
listen to the lectures, but when the places in the rear of the circle outdoors
were occupied, they had to listen. When they were asked a question they
answered it mechanically and in a pure Communist spirt. Nevertheless, Bul-
garian youth preserved its real character under these trying conditions.
16. After the work brigades, when they returned to the university, they had to
attend political lectures, study the history of the Soviet Communist Party
and of the Bulgarian Communist Party. They had to attend meetings and lectures
of all kinds so that there was no time for fun or ease. Such activltiLo were
carried on in all offices, factories, and schools. Everywhere the trustees
watched their colleagues. The 'Communist press frankly stated, "We must know
how the young people spend their free time, how they amuse themselves, and with
whom they associate." Bulgarian youth, always interested in studies, found the
doors of hither schools either closed or strictly guarded. It was difficult to
register in a university. A young man or woman had to fill out all kinds of
questinnnaires, pass the special obstacles set up by the Council of workers'
Deputies. Both of these organizations were under the direct control of the
Communist Party, and the filling out of questionnaires was purely political in
purpose. Without passing a political examination it was unthinkable for anyone
to go through the gates of the university.
17. When a student finished his studies, he was not sure of his future. Students
remembered well the great purges in the university from 1947 to 1948, when
thousands of students were expelled from the university solely for political
reasons. In addition, there was an office of Cadres at the university without
whose authorization no one could receive his diploma. The difficulties students
had to face can be summed up as follows!
a. They had no possibility of forming their own opinions;
b. They had to submit themselves to the Communist science which allowed no
contradiction;
c. They were forced to live a double life in order to receive their diplomas;
d. They had no freedom of choice of their place of work.
18. A large number of students who were accused of having had a past not acceptable
from the Communist point of view were excluded from entering the university. But
that was not enough; they could not choose their kind of work. They had to take
jobs as unskilled workers in factories without any hope for a better future.
19. Young people of the workers' class were not better off than the students. They
had no right to change their place of work without the authorization of "their
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Chief." They could not hope to advance if they were not 'Communists, or if they
were not protected by a highly-placed Communist. They were obliged to work only
in the place of their residence. And they too had to attend all kinds of politi-
cal courses, meetings, lectures, etc. The salaries were low.
a single young man or woman who received more than 450 to 00 leva per month.
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Even these facts are not complete enough to give a full impression of the attitu e
of Bulgarian youth toward the Communist regime.
20. The Communist press campaigned against the tendency of the youth to digress from
Communist discipline. Communist writers complained of the behavior of Bulgarian
youth and thought that it was becoming demoralized. Youth was accused of sing-
ing American songs, dancing American dances, following Western fashions in dress,
and of changing their Bulgarian first names into American-sounding first names,
and also, in conversation, of changing the names of streets and towns. The
press quoted an example of young people changing the name of the town of Nesebur
on the Black Sea to "Nuw Seibar;" of RakoVski Street in Sofia being changed into
"Roxi" Street; of the name Ivan being changed to ""Johnny," etc. So the article
concluded that there existed a demoralizing Western influence among a part of
Bulgarian youth. Mention was also made of "crimes" committed by Bulgarian youth.
Some students of a gymnasium in Sofia wrote on the walls of the school slogans
against People's authority. The press enumerated districts and locales where
American dances were danced and American songs sung. For all these excesses the
Communist press blamed young people of bourgeois families. 25X1
all the places cited by the Communist press were located not 25X1
in the so-called bourgeois districts of the city, but in the workers' districts
of the city.
Aspects of Present Regime "Considered to be Most Objectionable
21. The most objectionable aspects of the present regime may be summed up as follows:
a. Lack of personal liberty;
b. Fear of militia;
c. Fear of being, caught listening to western broadcasts;
d. Lack of freedom of speech, even in a restuarant;
e. Obligation to attend lectures, meetings, and to have to say "yes" to all the
lies the Communists told there; to have to applaud the regime and praise its
accomplishments when all activities of that regime were directed against the
rights and interests of the simple people;
f. The necessity of having to carry identification papers issued by the Communists;
g. The necessity of having to have political approval whether trying to get work
or registering in a university; and
h. Finally, high prices and low salaries.
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CONFIDENTIAL
22.
23.
24.
Aspects of Present Regime
a. Irrigation works;
b. Progress in liquidating illiteracy;
c. Free medical care for all the people.
Reactions
Toward Death of Stalin 25X1
the morning after the news of the death?of,. talia was re- 25X1
25X1
ceive o o
n
ailed her up and her first wards were, "Congratu-
lations."
"I hope it happens often." 25X1
25X1
The two went to see two young men rie s. 25X1
windows, turned on the music, and had a little celebration. But they had to be
careful because a mourning of three days was imposed on all entertainment, in-
eluding cinemas, concerts, and dances. The events which followed the death of
Stalin gave them hope. They believed there would be some changes.
Toward the 17 June 1953 Riots
faces of her friends and the hope that filled their hearts. She could see them
all gathered around the radio in the evening, listening anxiously to the latest
news from the blest. She could also imagine their disappointment when the riots
were controlled. They might have commented, "This time it did not succeed, but
it will start again sooner or later, and it will start in our country too."
it not difficult to visualize the excited
25. What happened in Yugoslavia was of no interest. The problem was hardly ever dis-
cussed. It was believed that the Yugoslav Communist Party would always remain a
Communist Party with the only difference that it was a more independent Communist
Party.
Reactions
26. Soviet advisors were found everywhere: in the Council of Ministers, in the
Defense Ministry, in the Interior Ministry, in the Ministry of Heavy Industry,
in all economically important factories, and even in the national theater, and
the Bulgarian State Enterprise for Cinematography.
27. The people's attitude toward Soviet counselors is simple to describe: nobody
liked them, and with good reason. These Soviet advisors received enormous
salaries which were twice or three times as large as the highest salaries of
Bulgarian officials. They lived in spacious apartments which had formerly
belonged to Bulgarian citizens. Nobody knew whether or not they paid taxes.
The people could not love them because they knew that they were the real
masters of their country.
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