A new administration

The advent of a new US president provokes apprehension in foreign capitals as diplomats and foreign leaders hypothesise how the public statements set forth by a candidate in the presidential campaign will translate into actual policies once the president-elect assumes office. Carter's election provoked a number of specific concerns for British policy makers of which the most troubling aspect had been Carter's suggestion that the United States would become involved in the ongoing difficulties in Northern Ireland. This constituted a complete break from previous presidential rhetoric concerning Northern Ireland and created considerable unease in London. Carter's stern statements about the Soviet Union coupled to his promise to promote human rights within America's relationship with Moscow caused further apprehension in British policy making circles. Detailed studies of the president-elect were thus undertaken but one report supplied by Michael Palliser, the permanent under-secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), advised Callaghan that there were grounds for optimism. As the prime minister was informed in November 1976 following Carter's election victory, the presidentelect was believed to hold the United Kingdom in ‘special esteem’. Quite what this meant in real terms was unclear but the implication was that somehow this emotional attachment could be exploited for the promotion of British interests.

Peter Ramsbotham, the British Ambassador to Washington, provided a fuller appraisal once Carter had assumed office. In his estimation, Carter seemed at ease in his new role and was determined to pursue his ambitious foreign policy agenda in spite of his limited experience in foreign affairs. Ramsbotham, however, struck a note of warning, notifying London that Carter operated on a ‘short fuse’ and had a level of ‘obstinacy’ about him which he found ‘mildly disturbing’. The British Ambassador provided a more detailed explanation of the president's policy objectives and how this would have a bearing upon British interests. As London was subsequently informed in March 1977, Carter had set himself a series of ambitious objectives which he would enthusiastically pursue in the opening months of his presidency.