252. Letter From President Carter to Australian Prime Minister Fraser1

Dear Malcolm:

I had hoped to be able to visit Australia this year, both to continue the very valuable discussions we held when you were in Washington2 and to demonstrate the deep interest we have in the US-Australia partnership. However, a number of urgent domestic and foreign issues have made it impossible for me to undertake a trip to Asia and the Pacific area in 1978.

I have therefore asked Vice President Mondale to visit Canberra to meet with you and your colleagues. As you know, I rely heavily on Fritz, and he has been playing a crucial role in both domestic and foreign policy. He is looking forward to discussing with you a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including such matters of deep concern to your government as world trade and related economic issues and our Indian Ocean talks with the Soviet Union. Fritz will also be presenting some thoughts we have on the urgent problems of food and energy, areas in which Australia can clearly play a vital role.

I very much hope at some point to be able to make a trip to Australia. In the meantime, I will look forward with keen interest to hearing Fritz’s report on his visit with you.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter
  1. Source: Carter Library, Donated Historical Material, Mondale Papers, Overseas Assignments—Trip Files, 1977–1980, Box 22, VP’s Visit to the Pacific, 4/29/78–5/11/78: Australia (5/8/78)—President Carter’s Letter to PM Fraser. No classification marking.
  2. See Documents 237 and 238.