Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
President Roosevelt to Prime Minister Churchill 1
priority
Number 641, Personal and Top Secret, from the President for the Prime Minister.
Referring to my 635,2 I have received a reply from U. J. which is not very helpful in the selection of a place for our next meeting. He states that if our meeting on the Soviet Black Sea Coast is acceptable he considers it an extremely desirable plan.
His doctors to whose opinion he must give consideration do not wish him to make any “big trips.”
[Page 13]He gave me no information as to location of the meeting, accessibility, living conditions, etc., except to express a hope that it will be possible to provide a safe entrance for my ship into the Black Sea.
He will be glad to see me as soon as I find it possible to make the trip.
I do not wish to go to the Black Sea if it can be avoided, first because the Congress will be in session at that time which makes it imperative that I be at all times within rapid mail communication with Washington by Air Mail, and, second because of sanitary conditions.
Dr. McIntire tells me that health conditions in Black Sea ports such as Odessa are very bad, and we must think of the health of our staff and our ships’ crews as well as ourselves.
What do you think of the possibility of our inducing U. J. to meet with us in Piraeus, Salonica, or Constantinople. Any of these would not be a “big trip” for him.
Please give me your advice as to the best date for the meeting from your point of view, together with any information you may have in regard to a suitable place for the meeting, danger from enemy action, living conditions, etc. I will take a ship to wherever we may go.
I fear that Uncle Joe will insist on the Black Sea. I do think it important that we three should meet in the near future.
All advice and assistance that you can contribute to the solution of this problem will be appreciated.