V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:PSS/v54; en:CW/CW45;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU

OF THE C.C., R.C.P.(B.)
January 16, 1922

Molotov for all members of the Political Bureau

1) Chicherin’s notes show that he is ill. 202 We must urgently consult the best doctors as to what is better: a) to postpone his entire leave (six months) until after Genoa? Will he be able to stand it? b) or to give him an immediate rest for a month, for five weeks, from January 18 to February 22, leaving two weeks until March 8, and then a special leave after Genoa? (It would seem that b is the only correct course.) 203

2) Affairs in the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs are apparently in a dangerous state of disorganisation. Would it not be dangerous to send all the best forces of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs to Genoa, leaving a vacuum here in the Commissariat? This question must be placed under the closest and most direct supervision of the Political Bureau.

3) Some person (perhaps Litvinov + Vorovsky + Joffe + P. P. Gorbunov?) must be made specially responsible for seeing that, when Chicherin and the whole delegation leave for Genoa, all the affairs of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs are handed over in full order to such and such persons. One of the most experienced diplomats must be left at the head of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs for the entire period of the Genoa Conference. 204

4) The best and absolutely reliable cipher clerks must be found immediately, and they must be instructed to prepare the most reliable ciphers (with keys changing every day) for the entire period of the Genoa Conference.

Lenin