Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXII, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

229. Letter From President Carter to Australian Prime Minister Fraser¹

Washington, March 11, 1977

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Thank you for your letter of February 4.² As you know, I am deeply concerned over the implications of further nuclear weapons proliferation for our common security and well being. International progress in dealing with the non-proliferation problem is one of the key foreign policy goals of this Administration. That is why I was so glad to get your letter of support.

As you are aware, we are currently making a comprehensive review of U.S. non-proliferation policies.³ Among other things, we are actively examining ways to provide guaranteed fuel supplies to countries which are willing to accept constraints consistent with our non-proliferation objectives. This will help to reduce proliferation by giving nations an incentive to place their nuclear facilities under international safeguards and not to acquire sensitive nuclear facilities. As you noted in your letter, Australia’s potential as a major supplier of uranium gives you a particular interest in this aspect of the subject. If the U.S., Australia, Canada and other like-minded countries collaborate on policies for the supply of natural uranium, we can play a vital role in reducing the threat of proliferation.

In view of your government’s past support of non-proliferation and the importance I attach to holding early consultations between allies whenever possible, I would hope that your government would soon be in a position to arrange exploratory consultations here with appropriate U.S. officials so that we can have the benefit of Australian thinking.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 1, Australia, Prime Minister J. Malcolm Fraser, 3–12/77. No classification marking. In the March 10 covering memorandum from Brzezinski to Carter, Brzezinski wrote, “I am informed that the Australian Government wishes to release this correspondence when your reply is received. Fraser evidently hopes thereby to demonstrate to domestic critics that he is taking steps to assure that Australian uranium exports do not contribute to the problem of nuclear proliferation.” (Ibid.)
2. See Document 228.
3. Reference is to PRM/NSC–15, which is printed in Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XXVI, Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Document 317.