
Todor Zhivkov Collection
Leader of Bulgaria from 1954 until the fall of the Soviet Union, this collection contains documents by and about Todor Zhivkov. They are all from various Bulgarian archives and are composed largely of letters, minutes and reports. Here, the rational behind Bulgarian foreign policy is highlighted, especially in light of Zhivkov’s actions and opinions. (Image, Zhivkov, 1963, Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-B0115-0010-066)
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February 09, 1987
Weekly Bulgarian State Security Review
Based on intelligence sources, the Minister of Internal Affairs Dimitar Stoyanov reports on domestic political developments. Among the issues covered in the memo are the domestic repercussions of the January 1987 Plenary Session of the CPSU Central Committee, as well as the Western allegations of human rights violations in regard to Bulgaria’s policy toward the Turkish ethnic minority.
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April 24, 1987
Information from D. Stoyanov to M. Balev on Propaganda Against People's Republic of Bulgaria
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov, reports on the coverage in the Western media of the alleged repressions against six Bulgarian dissidents who sent an open letter to the 1986 CSCE Meeting in Vienna. The letter claimed that Bulgaria does not comply fully with the Helsinki Accords on Human Rights of 1975. The Minister reports that although some measures have been taken to neutralize the activities of this particular dissident group, the official investigation has been suspended as there was a risk of further tarnishing Bulgaria’s image abroad.
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May 06, 1987
Soviet Memorandum on the Present Situation in Afghanistan
This document discusses the increasing amount of aid the Soviet Union provided to Afghanistan; how the country must fight against 'imperialist and reactionary' forces, and its efforts to establish a stronger ties to Czechoslovakia in order to further national reconciliation.
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October 13, 1987
Information from D. Stoyanov to G. Yordanov on Discontent Among Sofia University Employers and Professors
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov, informs the Education Minister, Georgi Yordanov, about intelligence reports regarding the rise of discontent among professors, employees and students at the University of Sofia.
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March 23, 1989
Bulgarian Secretariat Resolution on Termination of Jamming of Foreign Broadcasts for Bulgaria
The BCP CC passes a decision to stop jamming the broadcast of Western radio stations airing programs in Bulgarian. This decision however does not apply to Radio Ankara, whose Bulgarian programming continues to be blocked.
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January 05, 1990
Statement of Alexander Lilov, Bulgarian Politburo Member, at a Meeting with the Ministry of the Interior Leadership
Alexander Lilov responds to criticism from the police academy cadets. In an open letter, the cadets, concerned with the softening assimilation policies towards the Turkish minority, claim that Turkish nationalism poses a threat to Bulgaria’s territorial integrity. Lilov dismisses the fears for secession of the predominantly Turkish regions from Bulgaria and reminds his audience that historically Bulgarian nationalism has also been a particularly destructive force.