Memorandum from Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy to President Harry S. Truman

THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF WASHINGTON 25, D. C. TOP SEGRET 16 July 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: The Joint Chiefs of Staff feel that the Russian Chiefs of Staff should have the opportunity of holding conversations with the United States Chiefs of Staff as early in the TERMINAL Conference as they may desire. It would be desirable that this opportunity be offered them by the President in the course of his first conversations with Marshal Stalin. The United States Chiefs of Staff have presented no agenda to the Russians. We have advised them that we would be pleased to discuss with them the exchange of liaison parties and intelligence on the Japanese situation, and that we are ready to discuss any other problems which the Russians may wish to present. In view of this fact, the suggestion of a meeting should properly originate with Marshal Stalin. Failing such suggestion from Marshal Stalin, however, it would be in keeping with our proposed procedure insofar as the Russians are concerned if the President should suggest to Marshal Stalin that his Chiefs of Staff are here and are prepared to discuss these and any other matters which the Russian Chiefs of Staff may wish to present. For the Joint Chiefs of Staff: TRUMAN 9. "NATIONAL = - ARCHIVES AND . WILLIAM D. LEAHY, Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy. FORVICTORY BUY UNITED STATES DECLASSIFIED WAR BONDS JCS Memo, Jan. 17, 1973 AND STAMPS BYNLJ-NC NARS, Date 6-2976 TOP SEGRET