238. Letter From President Carter to Crown Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia1
I am very pleased with your announced decision to continue petroleum production at third-quarter levels.2 As I said publicly, your action is a constructive complement to the efforts of oil-importing nations to curb consumption and switch to other fuels. It will greatly assist the world in meeting important energy needs and helping to stabilize prices.
The courage and responsibility which your government has consistently demonstrated in developing its policies is a source of strength and stability in international affairs. I take deep personal satisfaction in the close and friendly relationship existing between our two nations, and I will continue to seek ways to deepen and broaden our areas of cooperation and mutual understanding.
Sincerely,
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 16, Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister Fahd ibn Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud, 2/77–5/80. No classification marking. An undated covering memorandum from Brzezinski to the President recommended that he send the letter to Fahd.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 234. On September 19, Brzezinski sent Vance a memorandum informing him that Yamani had told the Danish press that there was a 50–50 chance that OPEC would again raise prices at the December Ministerial meeting. According to Brzezinski, Carter’s response was, “Let’s move to prevent this.” Brzezinski advised Vance that the Department of State “should implement the President’s instruction.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 67, Saudi Arabia, 8–11/79)↩