242. Letter From Australian Prime Minister Fraser to President Carter 1

My Dear Jimmy2

Thank you for your reply to my letter of July 11.3 I am pleased that Ambassador Robert Strauss is able to accept my invitation to visit [Page 796] Australia. I look forward to hearing from him when he has settled on possible dates. We are also looking forward to discussions with him on world trade and bilateral matters. Our Ministers for Overseas Trade and for Special Trade Negotiations will have a particular interest.

The Government has completed its consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry. I intend to announce on 25 August 1977 that the Australian Government has decided that the development of uranium mining in Australia should proceed, subject to appropriate environmental and other regulations and controls and on the basis of a stringent regime of nuclear safeguards.

I am pleased to hear that progress is being made on the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation. As to our own involvement, I have asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate Australian participation in the Evaluation. The Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) will remain the designated agency, but the Department of Foreign Affairs will be the appropriate channel for communication on INFCE for matters other than the purely technical. That Department will also participate in INFCE meetings from time to time, as will other Australian Government Departments.

I am very gratified to accept your support for Australia’s membership in the London Suppliers’ Group.4 I consider that Australian membership is desirable, particularly now that we have decided to proceed with new uranium development and exports. Our officials will be in contact on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Malcolm Fraser
  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.
  2. Fraser handwrote the salutation.
  3. In his July 11 letter to Carter, Fraser responded to Carter’s suggestion that U.S. Special Trade Representative Robert Strauss visit Australia to talk about trade problems and other bilateral issues. (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)
  4. The London Suppliers Group, or the Nuclear Suppliers Group, founded in 1974, set guidelines for the export of nuclear material to states that did not possess nuclear weapons.