Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XII, Afghanistan

6. Letter From President Carter to Afghan President Daoud¹

Washington, March 15, 1978

Dear Mr. President:

I have been following with great interest reports of your recent trip to Yugoslavia, Libya, India and Pakistan and was particularly impressed and heartened by your statements in Islamabad and Lahore about relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.² Peace, stability and growth in South Asia are important concerns of my administration.

I know both our countries share a desire to strengthen the very cordial ties which already exist. Afghan-U.S. relations are very important to me personally, and we highly value your friendship. It was for this reason that I asked Secretary Vance to discuss with Foreign Minister Waheed Abdullah the possibility of your visiting the United States this coming summer.³

However, I now find, much to my deep personal regret, that I must ask your understanding in postponing your visit. I am sure you realize that I make this request with the greatest reluctance. Much of the critical legislation which I had hoped would be enacted before the end of 1977 remains before Congress. These concern issues of vital importance, such as energy and economic growth, which require my personal attention. In addition, major foreign policy questions, such as peace in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, and arms control negotiations, remain unresolved. Finally, the United States will be having Congressional elections this Fall that will make heavy demands on my time.

I sincerely hope that this delay will not cause you inconvenience. I do very much look forward to meeting with you and hope that we will be able to arrange a mutually convenient date in the future.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders, Box 1, Afghanistan: President Mohammed Daoud, 3/78. No classification marking.
2. An overview of Daoud’s trip to Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, February 21–March 6, was relayed by the Embassy in telegram 1281 from Kabul, February 14. Daoud’s remarks in Islamabad emphasizing the importance of good relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were reported in telegram 2382 from Islamabad, March 8. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780069–0578 and D780105–0788, respectively)
3. See footnote 2, Document 3.