Text of a Letter of 5 March from the Prime Minister of...
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. Begins: Text of a Letter of 5 March from the Prime Minister of Australia , the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser , to the Rt Hon . Margaret Thatcher, Prune Minister Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to follow up our telephone conversation last night. I know you have been taking a close personal interest, as I have, in the Afghanistan situation and the related matter of the Olympic Games. More than ever, I believe that it is essential that independent nations achieve an effective boycott of the Olympic Games. We cannot allow the Soviets the kind of victory they would achieve if our athletes were to participate at Moscow while Soviet troops remain in Afghanistan. It seems to me to be crucial now that the move towards a boycott be given added momentum. Over the last three or four weeks not much has happened and I believe that the issues now need to be addressed at the highest political level. I believe 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 with other like- minded governments. I would hope that you would agree that he could have discussions with your appropriate Minister. I believe that the next Steering Co mmittee Meeting, in 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. As we discussed, I very much hope that you can also send a Minister. I understand that ministerial representation is what the United States would prefer.
Transcript of Text of a Letter of 5 March from the Prime Minister of...
. Begins:
Text of a Letter of 5 March from the PrimeMinister of Australia , the Rt Hon. MalcolmFraser , to the Rt Hon . Margaret Thatcher,Prune Minister
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to follow up our telephoneconversation last night.
I know you have been taking a close personalinterest, as I have, in the Afghanistan situation andthe related matter of the Olympic Games.
More than ever, I believe that it is essentialthat independent nations achieve an effective boycott ofthe Olympic Games. We cannot allow the Soviets the kindof victory they would achieve if our athletes were toparticipate at Moscow while Soviet troops remain inAfghanistan.
It seems to me to be crucial now that the movetowards a boycott be given added momentum. Over thelast three or four weeks not much has happened and Ibelieve that the issues now need to be addressed at thehighest political level.
I believe we need firm decisions aboutalternative games for our athletes. We need decisionsthat demonstrate the determination and strength of theUnited States and Europe supported by as many others aspossible.
Against this background I am asking my Ministerfor Home Affairs, the Honourable R.J. Ellicott, who isresponsible for sport, to have discussions with other like-minded governments. I would hope that you would agree thathe could have discussions with your appropriate Minister.
I believe that the next Steering CommitteeMeeting, in Mid-March, would be much more effective if itwere to be at ministerial level.
Certainly Mr Ellicott will be available toparticipate should that eventuate.
As we discussed, I very much hope that you canalso send a Minister. I understand that ministerialrepresentation is what the United States would prefer.
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I have noted the position reached by the BritishOlympic Committee yesterday. This indeed points to theneed for governments to move quickly to provide a frame-work within which the respective national Olympic Committeescan reach final decisions with full knowledge of theconsequences and alternatives.
My very best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
(Malcolm Fraser)
Text ends.
5 March 1980
