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Australia to supply sugar to free world forces in South Vietnam – Letter from President Lyndon B. Johnson to Prime Minister John Gorton
As you know, we place an extremely high value on Australia’s contribution to the allied cause in Vietnam. We recognise that this contribution entails additional overseas defense expenditures, and have been looking for ways to help you offset these. I discussed the matter with Harold Holt when he came here last year, and I note that the subject was raised by Prime Minister McEwen during Under Secretary Rostow’s recent visit to Canberra.
Among the possibilities which have been discussed from time to time is the purchase of refined sugar from Australia for use by free world forces in Vietnam. After careful study we have concluded that this would be a logical arrangement and should be distinctly helpful to you. Accordingly, I would like to propose that Australia supply the sugar requirements of the United States and other free world forces in South Vietnam. These requirements total about 54 million pounds a year, at an estimated $6.5 million when supplied by Australia. If such an arrangement is agreeable to you, we will proceed to work out the details for the Department of Defense to obtain the sugar in Australia.
With best wishes and warm personal regards.
Sincerely,
[Handwritten signature:] Lyndon B. Johnson
[Handwritten addition:] I am also anxious to increase our Viet Nam Veterans on R. & R. coming to Australia.
