Information Note from the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to the [Romanian] Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10 December 1989, 08:00 am

[Foreign Affairs] Minister, Cde. Ioan Stoian,

The measures adopted by the special plenum of the CC CPB have not been enthusiastically received neither by the opposition organizations nor by those who support wholeheartedly the policies approved at the 10 November session of the CC CPB. [The leadership] is accused that it has not removed from their positions—at all [leadership] levels—those who have made themselves responsible for the situation the country is in [at this time]. The plenary [session] did not take a decision regarding political pluralism [nor regarding] the CPB's role in [Bulgarian] society. The [CPB] leadership is accused of purposely delaying the punishment of those members of the previous leadership guilty [of abuse of power] and [takes no action] to rehabilitate those that have suffered at the hands of [the old regime].

As a result, street protests took place yesterday, 9 December 1989, in Sofia and other cities. [The participants] made attacks on Socialist societies and [the] CPB. Petar Mladenov's resignation was asked for and it was suggested that Jelio Jelev—president of the Bulgarian Democratic Forces Association—take his place as President of the Council of State.

At the meeting scheduled for today, this Association will again make such demands. The Bulgarian leadership, during talks with the organizers of the meeting, is appealed to the participants to refrain from using violence. They [the organizers] promised that they will take action in that direction, but the situation remains tense.

The Association of opposition forces are planning to organize—during 11-12 December of this year—demonstrations and meetings, [in the hope that] enough pressure would build that [the leadership] will be forced to accept [the implementation of] genuine policies meant to [positively] resolve the demands made by the organizations, especially concerning the role of the CPB in [Bulgarian] society, [and] the organization of free [and fair] elections.

It is being insisted, even among party members, that the CPB congress take place as early as possible, no later than May 1990, and Parliamentary elections soon thereafter, [maybe] the second half of the same year.
We are following the evolution of events and will continue to inform [you].

(ss)[Ambassador] Vasile Pungan