Moscow Embassy Files: Lot F–96
The American Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov)
Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that I have been instructed to transmit the following message dated December 8, 1942 from President Roosevelt to Premier Stalin.
“I am deeply disappointed you feel you cannot get away for a conference in January. There are many matters of vital importance to be discussed between us. These relate not only to vital strategic decisions, but also to things we should talk over in a tentative way in regard to emergency policies which we should be ready with, if, and when, conditions in Germany permit.
“These would also include other matters relating to future policies about North Africa and the Far East which cannot be discussed by our military people alone.
“I fully realize your strenuous situation now and in the immediate future and the necessity of your presence close to the fighting front. Therefore I want to suggest that we set a tentative date for meeting in North Africa about March 1.”
Accept [etc.]
Secretary of Embassy