262. Letter From President Carter to Australian Prime Minister Fraser1
I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our mutual concerns and to get your views on international issues during your recent visit.
We have carefully considered your letter of January 232 and Phil Alston has informed me of your disappointment over the Multilateral Trade Negotiations.
We, too, regret that greater progress was not made in certain areas at Geneva. However, we feel that the results of the Tokyo Round have been worth the extraordinary effort that has been expended and will be a step forward. Failure to go ahead with completing the Round would be injurious to all trading countries.
We fully understand your particular disappointment over failure to gain concessions from the European Community on agricultural products. Many of the nations involved in the negotiations have had similar difficulties.
With regard to our own exchange of offers, I sincerely believe that our people and yours consulted closely with each other and that both sides have negotiated in good faith. In fact, I understand that the heads of our delegations are continuing to meet in Geneva. Cy Vance and Andrew Peacock have also spoken recently about the need to conclude an International Wheat Agreement and the good prospects for Australian meat exports to the United States this coming year. However, if you continue to believe that a meeting of senior officials would be helpful we would be pleased to participate in such a meeting.
Let me again emphasize that the United States values its relationship with Australia very highly. We are most appreciative of the support and advice you have given us. Australia and the United States [Page 863] have an interest in a successful conclusion to the Tokyo Round, which I believe will provide significant long-run benefits to our countries.
Sincerely,
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 1, Australia, Prime Minister J. Malcolm Fraser, 1–12/78. No classification marking. In a February 12 covering memorandum to Carter, Brzezinski wrote, “Australian Foreign Minister Peacock followed up the Fraser letter by calling Dick Holbrooke and Cy Vance. In addition, Fraser called in Phil Alston to express his displeasure about the MTN. In response, Cy has informed Peacock of the additional meat imports we will take from Australia and Al McDonald, Bob Strauss’ deputy, met with his Australian counterpart in Geneva. Many of Australia’s problems are with the European Community. Our own negotiating flexibility is very limited with regard to Fraser’s demands.”↩
- See Document 260.↩