ABSTRACT
Asthedateforthetalksdrewnearer,theirimportancebecame moreurgent.AnexchangeoftelegramsbetweenChurchilland Rooseveltillustratesthefearsofbothsides.Churchillappealedtothe USPresidentinFebruary1944thatthereweremisgivingsinBritain 'thattheUnitedStateshasadesiretodepriveusofouroilassetsin theMiddleEastonwhichamongotherthings,thewholesupplyof ourNavydepends.'39Rooseveltexplainedhissideoftheproblem:'I amdisturbedabouttherumorthattheBritishwishtohorninonour SaudiArabianoilreserves.'40Acompromisewasreachedwhen RooseveltwasabletoreassureChurchillthat:'Wearenotmaking sheep'seyesatyouroilfieldsinIraqorIran.'41
