Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, North Africa (Eisenhower) to the President1
urgent
While unquestionably the enemy strongly suspects imminence of Cairo meeting because of elaborate preparations I consider that arrangements there offer best degree of security that can be provided in whole region. If deemed desirable I can lend Mid-East temporarily additional fighters to increase air defence. My first recommendation is therefore that present plan be followed without change. If however the President believes a change should be made I recommend meeting place be Malta for following reasons: (A) Existing facilities plus addition of British ships in harbour insure improvized accommodations on short notice. (B) Malta is a fortress with defences [Page 98] that provide maximum secrecy and high degree of safety regardless of possible leak. (C) Malta is on route followed by both parties towards Cairo and all preparations at latter place serve as excellent cover for Malta meeting. (D) I can provide at Malta maximum density of air cover.
I have consulted Former Naval Person who is sending you a message of similar import.
- Sent via Navy channels to the President aboard the U. S. S. Iowa.↩