Lesson 8
word list
president
interprete
security
residence
minister
unguarded
embassy
compound
regiment
disposal
quarters
Filipino
secret service man
outside of
negotiation
regarding
infinitely
eloquence
major
dash
diplomatic
reception
observe
minor
instant
fatigue
considerate
touch
assosiation
plenary
session
convince
setting
furnish
bays
lord
deputy
cabinet
proceedings
preside
formal
relaxed
involve
strain
eloquent
host
waitness

text
Interpreting for the president at Teran
We left Carola on Saturday November 27th. I was in the second plane following the Persident's. After landing at the Gualin mutin airport about 5 miles south of Teran, we drove into town along a road which as we arrived at the city limits was lined with people. The Russians and the British as well as the Americans were concerned over Iran's loose security measures. The plan had been for the president to stay at the residence of the American minister. This would have required roads about to drive daily through unguarded streets across town to the Soviet and British embassies. Stalin proposed that roads about move into a separate building in the heavily guarded Soviet compound where the meetings could be held in safety. Churchill had no feels. The British embassy which was nearby was guarded by a range of six. Roosevelt accepted Stalin's offer and on November 28th, moved to the building Stalin protected is disposal. It has three or four large downstairs rooms as well as quarters for the president Philipino service and new model secret service man. I was quartered at an American army camp outside of Teran. I was a little nervous at the prospect interpreting for the president. The Mosco conference of following presidents had been practice, but this meeting was at the highest level. In the few minutes I had with the president before his first meeting with Stalin, I outlined certain considerations regarding interpreting. I asked if you would try to remember to break up his commence into short periods of time. I said that if he talked very long, his Russianlessness not understanding what has said would probably loose interest. On the other hand, speaking for two or three minutes at a time would hole their attention and made my job infinitely easier. Roosevelt understood and I must say he was an excellent speaker to interprete for. Showing in variety ways, consideration for my work. Churchill was much cared away by his own eloquence to pay attention to his pleasant and excellent interpreter major offer Asia birth. There were occasions when Churchill would speak for five, six or seven minutes while poor major birth dashed his pencil on the paper desperately over the paper trying to capture enough words to convey the eloquence into Russian. While I had met Roosevelt at last diplomatic reception in Washinton, my contact had been limited to a brief handshake and an exchange of a few words. Tehran was the first opportunity I had of observing him at close hand. Except for one minor incident, he seemed to be in excellent health, never showing any signs of fatigue and holding his magnificent head pride. He clearly was the dominating figur at the conference. I found him pleasnat and considerate and his personnel touch made our assosiation agreeable. The first plenary session of the Tehran conference conveyed in the conference room at Soviet embassy at four p.m. The setting was rather heavy for the warm climate. The room which was fairly big was furnished with large chairs and a large table which green bays cover. Four from each country sat at the table. Halumen sat at Roosevelt right, I at Roosevelt left and Hopkings next to me. With Stalin were Moloshilof Molotof and Pasilof. Churchill brought Eden, Lord Ezimay, deputy secretary to the war cabinet and major Birth as interpreter. Soviet secret policemen yarded the room. Before Preceedings, Churchill and Stalin agreed that Roosevelt the only head of state would preside at the first formal session. Every thing was so relaxed, it didnot seem possible that the conference was about to make decisions involving the fortunes of millions of people. There was nothind of the strain so frequently found on great occasions. Roosevelt's first words were in a light wing. As the youngest of the three he said he welcomed his elders. Churchill was the most eloquent saying," In our hands, we have the future of mankind." As host, Stalin welcomed his guests and then added," Now let's get down to business."