Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
Prime Minister Churchill to President Roosevelt1
secret
London, 6 November 1943.
Nr. 493. Former Naval Person to President personal and most secret.
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[Page 69]- Para 4. Your number 410.2 I start 11th or 12th probably in Renown which anyhow is carrying my party. I can certainly meet you at “O” on 19th or 20th. I agree with the arrangements you propose that the British and American Combined Staffs and Planners should meet in Cairo and then, after they have had their necessary meetings, meet the Russians and/or Chinese. I also agree that Chiang should be asked to get to Cairo by the 22nd. I shall be obliged if you will send him a joint invitation from us both. I hope indeed you will succeed in persuading U. J. to meet us as you propose between the 25th and 28th, and I think it will be very good if Molotov and some Russian Generals came back to Cairo with us when the triple conference could be held and our Staffs could go into all technical details with them and convince them at once of our resolve to strike with all our strength while reserving the necessary flexibilities inseparable from the ever changing fortunes and hazards of war.
- Para 5. I told Ismay to make a thorough examination on the spot of the communications between Cairo and Cairo 3 and I send his report in my immediately following. I had not realised that the railway journey from Basra to Cairo 3 was so short. I do not see why we should finally shape our plans until we get to Cairo. You may be sure however that in all this I shall defer to your wishes and act with you.
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