Draft reply letter to Roosevelt.

RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 162. D. 15. L. 124.

Appendix № 2-OP to clause 23/4 (o.p.) pr. PB No. 148.

Draft reply letter to Roosevelt.

(Approved by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks on October 17, 1933).

I received your telegram. I have always considered extremely abnormal and regrettable the situation that has existed for 16 years, in which the two great republics - the USSR and the United States of America - do not have the usual methods of relations and are deprived of the benefits that these relations could give them.

I am glad to note that you have come to the same conclusion. There is no doubt that difficulties, if they exist or arise between two peoples, can be resolved only if there are correct relations between them, and, on the other hand, have no chance of being resolved in the absence of such relations. Let me also express the opinion that the abnormal situation, to which you rightly point out in your telegram, adversely affects not only the interests of the two states concerned, but also the general international situation, increasing the elements of unrest, complicating the process of consolidating world peace, and encouraging forces aimed at to destroy this world.

In accordance with the foregoing, I gladly accept your proposal to send a representative of the Soviet Government to the United States of America to discuss with you questions of interest to our countries. The government of the Union has appointed Mr. Litvinov as its representative, who will leave on a date to be agreed upon between our governments.

Kalinin.