Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
President Roosevelt to Prime Minister Churchill 1
priority
Number 691. Top Secret and Personal from the President for the Prime Minister.
There is quoted herewith following for your information Stalin’s reply to my message in regard to the Polish situation, my No. 684. I am not replying to Stalin, but we may discuss the matter at the meeting:
“1 January 1945. I have received your message of December 31 [30].
I am extremely sorry that I did not succeed in convincing you of the correctness of the position of the Soviet Government on the Polish question. Nevertheless, I hope that events will convince you that the Polish National Committee has all the time rendered and is continuing to render the Allies, in particular the Red Army, important assistance in the fight against Hitlerite Germany whereas the émigré Government in London is bringing disorganization into this struggle and thus is aiding the Germans.
Of course, your suggestion to postpone for a month the recognition of the Provisional Government of Poland by the Soviet Union is perfectly [Page 226] understandable to me. But there is one circumstance which makes me powerless to fulfill your wish. The fact is that on December 27 the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to an appropriate request of the Poles has already informed them that it intends to recognize the Provisional Government of Poland as soon as it is formed. This circumstance makes me powerless to fulfill your wish.
Permit me to congratulate you on the New Year and to wish you health and success.”2
I have not told Stalin that my message to him was shown to you.