Office of the Historian

272. Letter From Australian Prime Minister Fraser to President Carter1

Canberra, March 5, 1980
My Dear Jimmy,2

I am writing about the Moscow Olympic Games and the efforts that are under way by like-minded countries to achieve an effective boycott of those Games.

I am sure you would share my view that it is now crucial that the move towards a boycott be given added momentum. Over the last three to four weeks not a great deal has happened and I believe the issue needs to be addressed at the highest political level.

We need firm decisions about alternative Games for our athletes. We need decisions that demonstrate the determination and strength of the United States and Europe supported by as many others as possible.

Against this background, I am asking my Minister for Home Affairs, the Honourable R.J. Ellicott, who is responsible for sport, to have discussions urgently with other like-minded Governments, including your own.

I believe that the next Steering Committee meeting, scheduled for mid-March, would be much more effective if it were to be at Ministerial level.

Certainly Mr Ellicott will be available to participate should that eventuate.

I mentioned this matter to Lloyd Cutler last night who told me that he supports and will press for Ministerial representation. I have put the same view to the Heads of Government of Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Malcolm Fraser
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 4, Australia, 1980. No classification marking.↩
  2. Fraser handwrote the salutation.↩