198. Letter From President Carter to French President Giscard d’Estaing1
Thank you for your generous letter.2 It was good of you to signal so forcefully and promptly your approval of the decisions that I have taken on energy. Your statement was noted in the U.S. press, and this was helpful.
We would be delighted to receive Minister Giraud, in order to exchange views about what has been done and needs to be done by the European Community and the United States to conserve and produce energy. I believe this visit would be most useful if it took place in late May. I am sure that such an exchange would contribute greatly to a successful Summit, where energy will be one of the main items for discussion.
We are fortunate that you are President of the European Community at this time. The Community’s leadership and contribution will be essential, if there is to be an effective energy program by the industrial countries. I look forward to working closely with you to this end, in the months immediately ahead and at the Tokyo Summit. The helpful statement of support that you were kind enough to send me is a good start, and a hopeful augury, in this cooperation.
I close by expressing my appreciation for the constructive attitude shown by your government in recent MTN negotiations.
Sincerely,
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 6, France: President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, 12/78–4/80. No classification marking. Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy in Paris Christian Chapman delivered Carter’s letter on April 13 to François de Combret, Deputy Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, who made “no substantive comments but expressed “genuine appreciation for the tone of the letter.” (Telegram 12093 from Paris; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, D790174–0310)↩
- Brzezinski forwarded Giscard’s letter to the President on April 6, calling it “a very positive message from Giscard complimenting you on your energy speech. He particularly stresses the agreement by the European Community to reduce its energy consumption in 1979 by about 25 million tons of oil. He wants to send his Minister of Industry here to compare notes on both European and American energy programs. The French will announce public support for your speech on Friday April 6.” Carter wrote on Brzezinski’s memorandum: “Zbig—Good response. J” Both Brzezinski’s memorandum and Giscard’s letter are in Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 6, France: President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, 12/78–4/80.↩