239. Letter From Australian Prime Minister Fraser to President Carter1
Thank you very much indeed for your generous hospitality and the warmth and depth of our discussions. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to talk with you again.
I am encouraged by your policies and attitudes. I cannot state too strongly the importance of a constructive and active U.S. in world affairs. You have put democracies on the offensive where too often they have been defensive and reactive to events.
I believe your Presidency is providing a hope and an opportunity for free peoples.
The exchange of views that we had yesterday3 will advance both our causes. I know for Australia’s part these exchanges will make it possible to play a more constructive role in areas of shared interests.
Both my wife and I have enjoyed this visit. Again, thank you for your hospitality.
As a farmer, I should have known how many cattle we have in Australia. I studied philosophy more than mathematics at university. The number is in fact 32 million.
In conclusion, I would be pleased if you would accept the enclosed copy of The Australian Landscape and its Artists.4 I trust that it will serve as a pleasant memento of our meeting.
My best wishes,5
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 4, Australia, 1977. No classification marking. The letter is on the stationery of the Prime Minister’s office in Canberra, but Fraser was still in Washington on June 23.↩
- Fraser wrote the salutation by hand.↩
- See Documents 237 and 238.↩
- Carter thanked Fraser for the book in a June 29 letter. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 4, Australia, 1977)↩
- Fraser wrote by hand, “My best wishes.”↩