Memorandum from Admiral William Leahy to President Truman

Copy for the President FORVICTORY SAVE BUY UNITED THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF STATES WAR BONDS WASHINGTON 25, D. C. AND STAMPS 20 July 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: In the past we have experienced considerable delay in travel of individuals and important official mail be- tween the United States and Moscow. This situation is now susceptible to considerable improvement if the air connection point were shifted from Tehran to Berlin. Experience has shown that the Russians are ex- tremely hesitant in coming to any agreements with foreign countries regarding air travel for fear of establishing precedents that might carry over into the post-war period. Efforts to obtain Soviet agreement to a Berlin connecting point have been made without success by both our military and diplomatic representatives. There is a good likelihood that Marshal Stalin would accede to a personal request made by you, and it is recommended that you either send the attached letter to Mr. Stalin or discuss the matter with him along the lines indicated. For the Joint Chief's of Staff: S. SIGNED ROS WILLIAM D. LEAHY, Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy. Encl. DECLASSIFIED JCS Memo, Jan. 17, 1973 BYNLTAB Date 6.288 OF SECRE