Journal Entries of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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Journal Entries of Franklin Delano Roosevelt February 2nd, 1945 Dear Diary, I have only several minutes to spare writing, as I am much in need of sleep and will be awakened at 2:00 AM to board "The Sacred Cow," the airplane that will transport me from here to Yalta. A seven-hour flight they tell me, much of it over undesirable territory. If any man thinks that I am anticipating this flight, let alone this entire ordeal, with any air of amusement or excitement, then I would inform him that he is much more in need of sleep than I am. Where to begin; must write about my day….We arrived in Malta this morning, after more than a week at sea. Normally something I would enjoy, but the very motive of this voyage keeps me from all and any thoughts of pleasure. Anna wheeled me onto the deck, where I have not been since the beginning of this voyage due to my worsening sinuses. Mr. Churchill had already arrived in Malta, not a surprise, along with Eden and the rest of his military and civilian staff. The men present for the purposes of welcoming me were situated on the deck of The HMS Orion, yet another ocean liner. Churchill is not as enthusiastic about this conference as even Stalin, or I and would much rather take allied matters into his own feeble hands. I deplore this, and can just about guarantee that Stalin feels the same exact way. Enough of the conference, pessimistic though I may be. After the lengthy, uncalled for welcoming ceremony, I was obligated to invite Churchill onto The Quincy for an informal luncheon. We made somewhat of an effort, speaking in rather loose terms, to make small talk, which, in our situation, is quite a difficult thing to do. Neither of us seemed to be able to speak o... ... middle of paper ... ... conference was spent revising the "Declaration on Liberated Europe," which will be released to the public after the conference is through. I have my suggested draft with me at the moment, and I think I shall copy it onto this entry. This will be something, hopefully, that I will be able to look back on and smile after the war has come to an end. Declaration on Liberated Europe: "The Premier of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the President of the United States of America have consulted with each other in the common interests of the peoples of their countries and those of liberated Europe. They jointly declare their mutual agreement to concert during the temporary period of instability in liberated Europe the policies of their three governments in assisting the pe Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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