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Australia - Prime Minister Fraser
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Australia - Prime Minister Fraser
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Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders (Ford Administration)
Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Australia - Prime Minister Fraser" of
the National Security Adviser's Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
CLASSIFICATION
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
REFERRAL
Date: Jul 20, 1976
NSC log # 7603918
MEMORANDUM FOR:
C. Arthur Borg
Executive Secretary
Department of State
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
To: Prime Minister Fraser
From: President
Date: July 19, 1976
Subject:
Replies to his letter re Fraser recent trip to China & Japan
ACTION REQUESTED:
Draft reply for:
President's Signature
White House Staff
Other
Direct reply
Furnish info copy
Dispatch
XXX
Translation
Recommendations / Comments
Appropriate Handling
Other
Information
DUE DATE:
Fono
COMMENTS:
&
GERALD
GERALD
LIBRARY
for Jeanne W. Davis
Staff Secretary
CLASSIFICATION:
Digitized from Box 1 of the NSA Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 19, 1976
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Thank you for your July 2 letter describing the high
points of your recent visits to Japan and China. I
agree that the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Co-
operation between Australia and Japan which you
signed in Tokyo will make an important contribution
to strengthening the ties between the Western demo-
cracies and Japan. Close relations between Australia,
Japan and the United States are vital to peace and
stability in the Pacific.
I also appreciate your insights regarding China, and
I look forward to discussing them with you during
your forthcoming visit to Washington.
Again, many thanks for your thoughtful letter.
Sincerely,
Herald R. Ford
The Honorable Malcolm Fraser
Prime Minister of Australia
Canberra
15/ 7/19/76
3918
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION
WASHINGTON
SECRET
July 19, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
B
SUBJECT:
Letter from Prime Minister Fraser on His Visits
to Japan and China
Prime Minister Fraser sent you a letter (Tab B) dated July 2 providing
a brief account of some important aspects of his recent visits to Japan
and China. The Prime Minister notes that in Japan he signed a Basic
Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation, which he believes will make a
contribution to welding Japan into the world of the industrialized
democracies. In Peking the Prime Minister was impressed with
Premier Hua Kuo-feng. He saw Hua as self-possessed and tough-
minded.
The Prime Minister believes there is much to gain in further exploration
with the Chinese of areas where their views could accommodate our
thinking. Fraser also believes that Hua's statement to him about the
Chinese Government's non-interference in the int ernal affairs of other
countries represented an advance on previous Chinese statements.
(Actually, Hua's statement seemed to be as ambiguous as usual.)
The Prime Minister notes that his Ambassador will be providing the
Department of State more detailed texts of his conversations. He con-
cludes by expressing keen anticipation of his forthcoming talks with you
in Washington.
We have provided at Tab A a brief reply to the Prime Minister.
Douglas Smith, of Robert Hartmann's office, has cleared the text of
the proposed letter.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you sign the letter at Tab A.
SECRET - GDS
lb 3/3/04
yab 1 full to TI
it HH wit
MEMORANDUM
7.19 1500
3918
west
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRET GDS
URGENT ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BRENT SCOWCROFT 10
July 12, 1976 Tretyped
FROM:
THOMAS J. BARNES
X
b
SUBJECT:
Letter to the President from Prime Minister
Fraser
Prime Minister Fraser has sent a July 2 letter (Tab B) to the President
providing a brief account of some important aspects of his recent visits
to Japan and China.
Attached at Tab I is a memorandum from you to the President briefly
outlining some of the basic points in the Prime Minister's letter and
enclosing a reply (Tab A) for the President's signature.
Douglas Smith, of Robert Hartmann's office, has cleared the text of the
proposed letter.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I. It would be
helpful to move quickly on the letter so that Fraser will receive the
reply before his July 27 visit here.
GERALD
SECRET GDS
3/3/04
Rec. 7/8/76-10:00 AM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
July 8, 1976
TO:
DOUG SMITH
FROM:
JAY TAYLOR 55/min
The attached proposed Presidential letter to the
Prime Minister of Australia is forwarded for
your clearance.
Please call 3044 when cleared.
-
3918
July 8, 1976
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I was glad to receive your July 2 letter providing an account of
some aspects of your recent visits to Japan and China. I entirely
agree that the new Basic Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation
between Australia and Japan, which you signed while in Tokyo, will
make an important contribution to strengthening the ties between the
Western democracies and Japan. Close relations between Australia,
Japan, and the United States are especially vital to peace and stability
in the Pacific. $1 I also appreciate your insights regarding China, and
I look forward to discussing them in detail with you during your forthcoming
visit to Washington
We have had many distinguished visits visitors this Bicentennial
year but there have been none to which I have been looked lanking forward with toyourown to your
visit with special pleasure and
1
anticipation than your own.
Again, many thanks for your thoughtful letter.
Sincerely,
GRF
OR
The Honorable Malcolm Fraser
Prime Minister of Australia
FORD
Canberra
t GERALD ?
A
SECRET
PRIME MINISTER
CANBERRA
2 July 1976
Dear Mr President,
On the eve of my arrival back in Australia
from my first visit as Prime Minister to Japan and
China I thought I should give you a brief account
of some important aspects of the visit.
In Japan I signed the Basic Treaty of
Friendship and Co-operation, which recognises the
scope of the Australia-Japan relationship and sets
broad guidelines for the development of co-operation
between our two countries at all levels. In deciding
to conclude this Treaty, the Australian Government had
in mind the importance of the Treaty's assurances of
close consultations across the board, and that
Australia would be a reliable supplier of natural
resources to Japan for Japan's self-confidence and
trust in the Western democracies generally. It is
my hope that this new relationship will make a
contribution to welding Japan into the world of the
industrialised democracies. I believe that this
objective is broadly in accord with the policies of
your own government.
During the visit to China I had a good
opportunity to get some personal impressions of the
new Chinese Premier. I formed the impression that he
was completely assured of his own authority. There
were a number of instances, particularly towards the
end of the discussions, where he clearly did not seek
corroboration from his Foreign Minister. He impressed
me as being self-possessed, and basically a tough-
minded man who had the capacity to assert his command
in a complex situation.
DECLASSIFIED
.../2
FORD
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
&
STATE DEPT, GUIDELINES
site
ferier
9/16/03
GERALD
LIBRARY
BY
, NARA, DATE 3/3/04
SECRET
SECRET
2.
The visit was somewhat marred by an
unfortunate construction on the purpose of the visit
by a representative of a major Australian newspaper.
The paper carried the story that my mission was to
develop a pact between the United States, Japan,
China and Australia. I issued immediate denials. I
said, specifically, that there had been no discussion
of a four-power pact, alliance or agreement of any
kind. I confirm that to you now.
The basic purpose of my visit was to develop
a keener dialogue between Australia and China. I found
the Chinese very willing in areas where there was
possible common ground to engage in quite developed
discussion. On matters where we disagreed, the
disagreements were brief and frank on both sides. I
therefore conclude that there is much to be gained by
exploring with China those areas where the Chinese
view has some potential for accommodation with our
thinking. I think this is particularly important. I
found the Chinese felt somewhat neglected and ignored
by other nations.
In respect of insurgency, the Premier stated
that Government to Government relations would in no way
be influenced by relations between parties. To quote
him verbatim: "Party relations are relations between
parties, and state relations are relations between
states. We never interfere with the internal affairs of
other countries and we also never interfere in the
internal affairs of fraternal parties
The relations
between parties should not influence the relations
between governments." I took the opportunity to discuss
this and related statements by the Chinese Premier with
President Marcos, who judged, as I did, that they
represented an advance on anything that had been said
previously, including to Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
In respect of South East Asia generally, the
thrust of Premier Hua's position was that he would
prefer to see it as an area free from competition between
the great powers. Regarding Taiwan, the Chinese Premier
appeared prepared to view it in a broad politico-strategio
context, and, while still a matter of principle, not SO
important as the general international situation.
FORD
&
BERALD
LIBRARY
SECRET
3.
SECRE
My Ambassador will be calling at the State
Department with more detailed texts and remarks which
could have significance for your interpretation of
Chinese attitudes, and I would be grateful in due
course to have State Department comments on them.
I now prepare for my first official visit
to the United States with some keen anticipation. I
am particularly grateful to have your invitation and
to be your official guest. I look forward to my talks
with you and Vice President Rockefeller, and with
Secretaries Kissinger and Rumsfeld, when I will be able
to give you a more detailed account of my impressions
and the Withing construction we place on them.
betwing
(Maloolm Delutions
Gerald R. Ford,
President of the United States of America,
The White House,
WASHINGTON D.C.
FORD
LIBRARY & 02
SECRET
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TO:
BOB LINDER
FROM:
TRUDY FRY
The attached is sent to you for
review before it is forwarded to the
President.
AD.
3918
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Thank you for your July 2 letter describing the high
points of your recent visits to Japan and China. I
agree that the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Co-
operation between Australia and Japan which you
signed in Tokyo will make an important contribution
to strengthening the ties between the Western demo-
cracies and Japan. Close relations between Australia,
Japan and the United States are vital to peace and
stability in the Pacific.
I also appreciate your insights regarding China, and
I look forward to discussing them with you during
your forthcoming visit to Washington.
Again, many thanks for your thoughtful letter.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Malcolm Fraser
Prime Minister of Australia
Canberra
FORD & LIBRARY OFRALO
Revised:BS:nm:7/19/76
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I was glad to receive your July 2 letter providing an
account of some aspects of your recent visits to Japan
and China. I entirely agree that the new Basic Treaty
of Friendship and Co-operation between Australia and
Japan, which you signed while in Tokyo, will make an
important contribution to strengthening the ties between
the Western democracies and Japan. Close relations
between Australia, Japan, and the United States are vital
to peace and stability in the Pacific.
I also appreciate your insights regarding China, and I
look forward to discussing them in detail with you dur-
ing your forthcoming visit to Washington. We have had
many distinguished visitors during this Bicentennial
year, but I have been looking forward to your own visit
with special pleasure and anticipation.
Again, many thanks for your thoughtful letter.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Malcolm Fraser
Prime Minister of Australia
Canberra
FORD
a
GERALD
DOC
RECD
LOG NUMBER
1/2
MO
DA
MO
DA
HR
INITIAL ACTION o
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
7
2
7
7
12
7603918
TO: PRES
FROM: SECSTATE
S/S
UNCLAS
LOG IN/ OUT
SCOWCROFT
SECDEF
LOU
NO FORN
NODIS
HYLAND
DCI
X REF
C
EYES ONLY
EXDIS
S
SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
DAVIS
STATE EXSEC
Frasek,
CODEWORD
OTHER
MALCOLM
TS
SENSITIVE
SUBJECT Ack LTR from PM Freser 8 Australia he Lis
visit to Japan 2 China
INTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION
REC
ACTION REQUIRED
ACTION
CONCUR-
COOR.
INFO
CY
RENCE
DINATE
ADV CYS S'CROFT/ WGH
FOR
MEMO FOR SCOWCROFT
STAFF SECRETARY
MEMO FOR PRES
x
(
CONGRESSIONAL
REPLY FOR
ECONOMIC
DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT
APPROPRIATE ACTION
EUR/ CANADA/ OCEANS
EMO
TO
(
FAR EAST/PRC
X
to
RECOMMENDATIONS
(
INTELLIGENCE
JOINT MEMO
LATIN AMERICA
REFER TO
FOR:
MID EAST/NO. AFRICA
ANY ACTION NECESSARY?
4
NSC PLANNING
CONCURRENCE
(
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
DUE DATE: 7/10
SCIENTIFIC
COMMENTS: INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
SUB-SAH/ AFRICA/ UN
trylor
x
Seoul
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X
DATE
FROM
TO
STATUS
SUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED IOR TAKENI:
DUE
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7/20
7-19
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SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
7-19
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#
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7/19
Davis
S
7/20
State
C
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Roynew prior to diopatch 7/20
QERALO FORD CIBRARY
MICROFILM a FILE RQMTS
NSC/S DISP INSTR
DISPATCH 4/20/76 Via S/S D NOTIFY
M/
SPECIAL DISPOSITION:
Jen 23 1976 BY
CRT ID:
NS
DY
SPECIAL INDEXING:
OPEN MK
WH SA FP
SUSPENSE CY ATTACHED X
CLOSE WT
PA
NSC 76-21
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599-022 - 1976
599-022
fa
INTERNAL NSC ROUTING
BARNES
BOVERIE
CLIFT
MOZELESKI
DAVIS
ELLIOTT
FARRAR
GRANGER
HARRISON
HORMATS
WITH
JANKA
Dale
CAKLEY
HOSKINSON
RATLIFF
SKANCKE
state
nine
QUINN
TAYLOR
FORD & LIBRAR DERALO
ADMIN
OTHER
(TURN THIS TAB UP TO MOVE
BACK TO THE SECRETARIAT)
5745
7622754
2t
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
November 6, 1976
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. BRENT SCOWCROFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Letter Concerning Meat Quotas from Australian
Prime Minister Fraser to President Ford
Attached is the original of a letter concerning
meat quotas from Prime Minister Fraser to President
Ford. The text of the letter, provided by the Australian
Embassy, was transmitted to you on October 14.
The quota for Australia for 1976 has been established
at 632.2 million pounds, the level referred to by Prime
Minister Fraser in the last paragraph of his letter.
As this information has already been transmitted to the
Government of Australia we recommend that no further
action be taken.
hank V. Ontize
In
C. Arthur Borg
Executive Secretary
Attachment:
As stated.
GERALD a FORD
CONF IDENTIAL
GDS
Wn 3/3/04
PRIME MINISTER
CONFIDENTIAL
CANBERRA
Dear Mr President,
I have learned with concern and regret of
the proclamation you have issued imposing quotas on
meat imports into the United States.
My concern stems not only from the possible
consequences for our direct bilateral relationship,
but also from my fears of the consequences such action
may have in the sphere of multi-lateral trading
relationships. It will be particularly unfortunate
if, at a time when the United States and Australia
are both pursuing in the GATT, the Multi-Lateral Trade
Negotiations and elsewhere their key objective of a
greater liberalisation of world trade in agricultural
products, a situation were to arise in our own bi-
lateral trade which ran - or even appeared to run -
counter to this. Such a development - which would
undoubtedly be seized upon by those interests which
are opposed to us in this field - could only be to our
mutual detriment and to the detriment of the framework
of world trade more generally.
I should therefore like to recall and affirm
the message to you from my colleague, the Right
Honourable J.D. Anthony, who was the Acting Prime
Minister of Australia during my visit to Indonesia
from which I have only a few hours ago returned.
As far as Australia's direct position is
concerned, you are aware that we have invariably
co-operated with the United States in arriving at
voluntary restraint arrangements and in adhering to
them to the letter. More recently, Australia has
unilaterally ceased approval of shipments of meat to
Mayaguez from 10 September 1976. This action, in
respect of which we were under no legal obligation
FORD
whatsoever, was taken in good faith and to assist the
United States Administration in a difficult domestic
situation.
GERALD
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
CONFIDENTIAL
/2
STATE DEPT, GUIDELINES State
9/16/03
BY
NARA, DATE 3/3/04
,
CONNDINTIAL
2.
Although therefore I appreciate the
circumstances under which your Administration has
estimated that imports would exceed the figure at
which quotas would need to be imposed and the care
you have taken in not reducing the total level of
imports to be permitted entry into the United States
this year, I must emphasise that it was not excess
supplies from Australia that has resulted in your
present estimate. My understanding is that, on the
contrary, the increased estimate now results
principally from a large rise in shipments from a
country, Canada, which has refused to participate in
the voluntary restraint arrangements.
Against that background I refer to the
forthcoming consultations on the detailed operation
of the quota system. I must say to you that the
Australian Government could not accept, and the
Australian people will not be able to understand, any
decision which penalises, or appears to penalise,
Australia for failure on the part of others. Any such
discriminatory action against Australia would be
incomprehensible to us and would provoke very strong
reactions.
I therefore wish you to know that it is my
firm view that the quantity of Australian meat to be
permitted entry to the USA this year, should be in no
way reduced below the level of 632.2 million pounds
previously agreed between our two Governments.
Yours sincerely,
(Malcolm Fraser)
Mr Gerald R. Ford,
President of the United States
of America,
WASHINGTON
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FORD
GERALD
LIBRAR
CONFIDENTIAL
5745
7621423
2d
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE
Washington, D.C. 20520
October 14, 1976
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. BRENT SCOWCROFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Letter to the President from Australian
Prime Minister Fraser
We are forwarding for the President's attention the
attached letter from Prime Minister Fraser. The original
was given personally by Fraser October 11 to our Deputy
Chief of Mission in Canberra.
The letter is a strongly worded expression of concern
and regret over the imposition of quotas on meat imports. It
denies Australian responsibility for increased imports into
the United States and reports that Fraser understands that,
on the contrary, our increased estimate of imports now
results principally from a large increase in shipments from
"Canada, which has refused to participate in the voluntary
restraint arrangements." The letter concludes that the
previously-agreed Australian restraint allocation of 632.2
million pounds should not be reduced under a quota regime
and "that the Australian government could not accept, and
the Australian people will not be able to understand, any
decision which penalizes, or appears to penalize, Australia
for failure on the part of others."
We are currently consulting with the governments of
Australia and other major exporting countries about the
details of the quota program.
for
C. Arthur Borg
Executive Secretary
Attachment:
Letter from Prime Minister Fraser.
FORD s LIBRARY OFRALD
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Bos- -
Talked to Knewl.
He If will get back to me
monday.
Bunt
FORD LIBRAR, & QERALD
2f
mH
MEMORANDUM
5745
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
CONFIDENTIAL
ACTION
October 14, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
ROBERT HORMATS
RH
SUBJECT:
Meat Imports
In connection with the announcement of import quotas on beef, Agriculture
intends to issue in the next day or so a regulation concerning meat ship-
ments through Foreign Trade Zones. As presently drafted by Agriculture,
the regulation would take effect immediately and thus would apply to
Australian beef shipments now being processed at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
State has sent a letter to Agriculture pointing out that the proposed regula-
tion is inconsistent with the terms of our various meat restraint agree-
ments and would have a damaging effect on our relations with Australia
and other supplying countries. Jules Katz has also discussed this matter
with Dick Bell, but Agriculture has thus far refused to budge. Bell contends
that the Administration must make a further gesture to the domestic cattle
industry and thus is pushing this regulation, which will in effect force
Australia to absorb approximately 11 million pounds of beef now in
Mayaguez into its overall import quota.
The Australian Government has, however, made it clear that any action
taken by us to reduce its quota below the negotiated restraint level would
be viewed as discriminatory and would likely provoke a strong reaction
in Australia. Prime Minister Fraser wrote the President on October 11
concerning this matter (Tab B). He alluded to possible consequences for
our bilateral relations if we move to cut the Australian quota. He said
that 11
the Australian Government could not accept, and the Australian
people will not be able to understand, any decision which penalizes, or
appears to penalize, Australia for failure on the part of others". Fraser
stressed that our meat import problem stems from above-estimate ship-
ments by Canada, which is not a party to the US voluntary restraint
program.
FORD
GERALD
CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
Who
3/3/04
29
TALKING POINTS
We understand that you are about to issue a regulation concerning
meat shipments through Foreign Trade Zones. We have been
advised that the regulation, as presently drafted, would take effect
immediately and thus apply to Australian beef now being processed
in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
We recognize your responsibility under the law to administer the
meat import program. However, we are concerned that this
regulation could have a severely adverse impact on our relations
with Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Fraser wrote the President on October 11
and pointed out that any action which would in effect reduce the
Australian quota below restraint levels could have serious consequences
for our bilateral relations. The Australians stress that our meat
import problem stems from unexpectedly large shipments of beef
from Canada. They assert that they have lived up to the terms of the
restraint agreement and, therefore, should not be penalized for over-
shipments by a country which refused to restraint exports.
Fraser also indicated that any effort on our part to hold Australian
meat imports below agreed-upon levels would provoke a strong
domestic reaction in Australia.
-- Australia is an important US ally, Thus we hope that we can resolve
this problem in a way which will not jeopardize our strong bilateral
relationship.
We note that in the case of sugar we did not apply the higher duty to
shipments in transit and believe that a similar provision in the pro-
posed meat import regulation would be appropriate. The regulation
should apply to future meat shipments through Foreign Trade Zones
and not be made retroactive to cover meat now being processed in
Puerto Rico. This would be consistent with the language of the
Curtis Agreement.
We hope you will take these factors into account in drafting the
regulation.
FORD
&
GERALD
LIBRAR
2
CONFIDENTIAL
I share State's concern about this matter, particularly with respect to
the possible impact on our relations with Australia. The regulation
should apply prospectively not retroactively. We should not penalize
Australia at this late date for taking advantage of a loophole in our
legislation especially when we told the Australians officially that we
had no intention of doing so. The Australians are on solid legal grounds
and will hold us accountable in the GATT and elsewhere if we force
them to count the recent shipment to Mayaguez under their 1976 quota.
There are some precedents for dealing with situations such as these.
For example, when we recently raised the duty on sugar, we exempted
shipments in transit from the higher tariff. Also, the Senate this year
passed the Curtis Amendment concerning Foreign Trade Zones. The
amendment would have required that only those meat shipments which
entered a Foreign Trade Zone after the effective date of the act be
counted as part of an individual country's quota. Although the amend-
ment died in the House, it does give us some idea of what might be
acceptable to the Congress. Domestic cattlemen supported the amendment.
I recommend that you call Acting Secretary of Agriculture Knebel and
explain to him the broader policy implications of the proposed regulation
and request that his Department give consideration to its modification
so that it applies only to future shipments through Foreign Trade Zones.
At Tab A are suggested talking points for your call to Knebel.
RECOMMENDATION
That you phone Knebel and discuss with him the proposed meat import
regulation.
Concur: W.R. Gleysteen
by
FORD
PL
GERALD
LIBRARY
CONFIDENTIAL GDS
The following is the text of a letter to President Ford which we
understand the Australian Prime Minister was to have handed to the
FORD
American Embassy in Canberra on the evening of 11 October.
"Dear Mr. President,
GERALD
"I have learned with concern and regret of the proclamation you
have issued imposing quotas on meat imports into the United States.
My concern stems not only from the possible consequences for our
direct bilateral relationship, but also from my fears of the consequences
such action may have in the sphere of multi-lateral trading relationships.
It will be particularly unfortunate if, at a time when the United States
and Australia are both pursuing in the GATT, the multi-lateral trade
negotiations and elsewhere their key objective of a greater liberalisation
of world trade in agricultural products, a situation were to arise in our
own bi-lateral trade which ran - or even appeared to run - counter to
this. Such a development - which would undoubtedly be seized upon by
those interests which are opposed to us in this field - could only be to
our mutual detriment and to the detriment of the framework of world trade
more generally.
I should therefore like to recall and affirm the message to you from
my colleague, the Right Honourable J.D. Anthony, who was the acting Prime
Minister of Australia during my visit to Indonesia from which I have only
a few hours ago returned.
As far as Australia's direct position is concerned, you are aware
that we have invariably co-operated with the United States in arriving at
voluntary restraint arrangements and in adhering to them to the letter.
More recently, Australia has unilaterally ceased approval of shipments of
meat to Hayaguez from 10 September 1976. This action, in respect of
which we were under no legal obligation whatsoever, was taken in good faith
and to assist the United States Administration in a difficult domestic
STATE DEPT, GUIDELINES 1/16/03
situation.
Although therefore I appreciate the circumstances under which your
Administration has estimated that imports would exceed the figure at which
quotas would need to be imposed and the care you have taken in not reducing
the total level of imports to be permitted entry into the United States this
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NARA, DATE
year, I must emphasise that it was not excess supplies from Australia that
has resulted in your present estimate. My understanding is that, on the
contrary the increased estimate now results principally from a large rise
in shipments from a country, Canada, which has refused to participate in
the voluntary restraint arrangements.
Against that background I refer to the forthcoming consultations on
the detailed operation of the quota system. I must say to you that the
Australian Government could not accept, and the Australian people will not
BY
2.
be able to understand, any decision which penalises, or appears to
penalise, Australia for failure on the part of others. Any such
discriminatory action against Australia would be incomprehensible
to us and would provoke very strong reactions.
I therefore wish you to know that it is my firm view that the
quantity of Australian meat to be permitted entry to the U.S.A. this
year, should be in no way reduced below the level of 632.2 million
pounds previously agreed between our two Governments.
Yours sincerely,
(MALCOLM FRASER)"
FORD
&
GERALD
2i
DOC
RECD
LOG NUMBER
MO
DA
MO
DA
HR
INITIAL ACTION O
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
1014
10
IS
10
7605745
TO: PRES
FROM: SEGSTATE
Hormats S/S
UNCLAS LOG IN/OUT
SCOWCROFT
X
SECDEF
LOU
NO FORN
NODIS
HYLAND
DCI
X REF
C
EYES ONLY
EXDIS
SQURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
DAVIS
STATE EXSEC
$
CODEWORD
OTHER
TS
SENSITIVE
Culing of aqualture re West
SUBJECT Lequest for deft to phone Kaebel
Imports INTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION
REC
ACTION REQUIRED
ACTION
CONCUR-
COOR.
INFO
CY
RENCE
DINATE
FOR
ADV CYS S'CROFT/ WGH
MEMO FOR SCOWCROFT
STAFF SECRETARY
MEMO FOR PRES
CONGRESSIONAL
REPLY FOR
ECONOMIC
DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT
X
APPROPRIATE ACTION
EUR/ CANADA/ OCEANS
MEMO
TO
FAR EAST/ PRC
RECOMMENDATIONS
INTELLIGENCE
JOINT MEMO
LATIN AMERICA
REFER TO
FOR:
MID EAST/ NO. AFRICA
ANY ACTION NECESSARY?
NSC PLANNING
CONCURRENCE
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
DUE DATE:
SCIENTIFIC
COMMENTS: INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS)
SUB-SAH/ AFRICA UN
John Knehel
DATE
FROM
10/14
Singh
TO
STATUS
Qusion SUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED (OR TAKENI:
DUE
CY TO
X
10/21
10/16
C
SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
noted by Scowcroft
10/16
Hormats
S
2/18
10/26
Co Further ActioNo
any further action
Hormests
See
10/26
C
NFAR per Hormats
FORD
BERALD
LIBRARY
DISPATCH
NOTIFY
MICROFILM & FILE ROMTS
NSC/S DISP INSTR
SPECIAL DISPOSITION:
OCT31 1976 BY
SPECIAL INDEXING:
OPEN CRT ID: KES
NS
DY
WH SA FP
CLOSE
PA
SUSPENSE CY ATTACHED
NSC 76-21
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599-022 - 1976
599-022