400. Editorial Note
At a meeting of the National Security Council on September 25, 1968, Representative to the United Nations George W. Ball briefly reviewed issues likely to arise at the forthcoming meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. Notes of the meeting prepared by W. Thomas Johnson of the White House staff record Ball’s comments under the heading of “Biafra” as follows:
“Hardships and suffering are enormous.
“Both sides are willing to sacrifice millions of lives to win political position.
“Very little food getting in.
“Africans do not want the U.N. in on it—they say it’s an African problem.
“I propose the President designate somebody to deal with humanitarian problems.
“There is great pressure to do something on it. We must help the ICRC and other international agencies.”
There was no further discussion concerning Nigeria. (Johnson Library, Tom Johnson’s Notes of Meetings, September 25, 1968, National Security Council)