OBSERVATIONS ON THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION IN BULGARIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005000130002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 2
• Content Type: REPORT

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Approved For Release 2007/09/19 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA005000130002-3
This Document contains Information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of 71tle 18, Sections 703 and 791, of the U.S. Code, se
INFORMATION REPORT amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorised person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form Is Prohibited.
SECRET -- U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
SUBJECT Observations on the Political and
Economic Situation in Bulgaria
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 30 September 1954
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD 25X1
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OP CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. The general economic condition of the people of Bulgaria is poor. Those suffering
the most are the peasants who are traditionally conservative. Because of small
price cute, there has been some improvement and certain food items and household
articles which were not to be found on the market for a long time have reappeared.
25X1
2. Discontent reigns among peasants who are not members of cooperatives, because
of their high taxes and deprivation of their personal liberties, and among workers
because of the extremely low wages. Non-skilled workers, who form the majority,
receive an a'Mrage monthly wage of 400-500 leva, from which a considerable am 5X
is withheld, chiefly for the national loan which is launched annually. 25X1
3. On the other hand, youth in general, not having any knowledge as to what a democratic
regime can offer, and having grown up in the midst of intensive Communist propaganda,
can be considered to be faithful to and practically enthusiastic over the Communist
regime. Any attempts toward political education on the part of parents is dangerous
for it might bring about their arrest should their children mention this in the
political meetings of the young people. 25X1
4. Under the circbmstances, all the peasants can do is to complain amongst themselves
only with intimate friends. Any public protests would mean dismissal from work,
boycotting, and arrest. A high percentage of those who are members of the Communist
Party, show their loyalty and enthusiasm for the regime only because of opportunistic
reasons, since their membership entitles them to higher posts and their personal
gain is greater. A notable percentage of the population mourns the past regimes
and hoped that something might bring about a change in the regime in power.
Intolerance of the present regime by the majority is chiefly related to the difficult
economic conditions.
STATE X IARMY X INAVY X AIR X FBI f IAEC
 Approved For Release 2007/09/19 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA005000130002-3
5. Bulgarian leaders are aware of the discontent existing among the masses, but no
measures are taken to improve the general standard of living. On the contrary,
the leaders, at all political meetings, continue to threaten to "break the
enemies of the people" and state that it is essential that sacrifices be made
in order to build up an ideal future society for the generations to come.
6. The majority of the Bulgarian people who, as stated above, have little tolerance
for the Communist doctrine, considers Marshal Tito to be a very intelligent
leader who knew how to withdraw his country from Soviet influence--an example
which they feel the Bulgarian political leaders should have followed. The
Bulgarians are convinced that Tito has no secret agreement with the USSR against
the West. According to the Bulgarians, the military alliance with Greece and
Turkey has considerably strengthened the position of Yugoslavia and they feel
that without that pact the bordering satellite nations could have one day
succeeded in carrying out an armed attack against Yugoslavia. In fact, the
Bulgarians, having abandoned the hope of an immediate solution to their problems
by an intervention of the United States, feel that the future liberators of
Bulgaria will be the Yugoslavs.
7. The orthodox religion in Bulgaria is practiced freely and is respected, but is
watched by the government to see that it always maintains a role outside of
politics. The popes" have become easily acclimatized to the new regime, and
adhere for the most part willy nil]y to the national orthodox church which is
subordinate to the head of the Russian orthodox church, Patriarch Aleksei.