Nigerian Civil War
[Page 1]173. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to Secretary of State Rogers
Newsomʼs briefing memorandum for Rogersʼ meeting with the President emphasized Nigerian sensitivity to interference, the need for cooperation, and the very incomplete and inconclusive information about the situation in Biafra. Tab A indicated food supplies in Biafra were adequate and conditions were improving.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Special Coordinator on Relief to Civilian Victims of the Nigerian Civil War, February 1969–June 1970, Lot 70 D 336, Box 517. Confidential. The memorandum is an unsigned copy that may have been sent to Ferguson for clearance and thus was not necessarily forwarded to Rogers in this form. Commenting on the last paragraph on page one, Ferguson wrote in the margins: “misunderstanding here of Western Jan memo which gave 4 choices & was addressed to total needs of 4 groups. Also, Western Appendix IV was misconstrued—airlift plus local food plus local commerce trade.” Tabs B through E, entitled “Relief Organization and Tactics,” “External Assistance (Excluding US),” “Food Requirements and Availability,” and “US Actions,” respectively, are not published.
174. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger attached a memorandum from Morris that considered the Western Report valid in all aspects, cast doubt on Gowonʼs future, and expected large-scale human loss and serious political damage at home. Kissinger agreed that one million to one-and-one-half million people were in danger of dying from starvation or epidemics in the approaching 3 weeks.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Sensitive. Nixon wrote at the bottom of page one, “K—T. Kennedy told me Newsom & Ferguson had done well in their appearance before his committee.—He said he was not concerned about Rape etc.—That always happens—but that starvation is the problem.” Attached to Morrisʼ memorandum was Document 170.
175. Telegram 685 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
The telegram highlighted observations of Colonel Eugene Dewey, U.S. relief expert, following his recent visit to the enclave area. He reported a developing disaster of major proportions. At least one million people were in acute need, but relief was being hampered by the military in occupied areas.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 10 Nigeria, POL 23 Nigeria. Secret. Repeated priority to London. Also repeated to Geneva and USUN. A February 3 telegram from the CIA to the White House Situation Room stated that a source had reported that Gowon had expelled Dewey. Gowon explained that he expelled Dewey because he was personally responsible for overdrawn and sensational reporting after his first visit to the enclave, and much of the subsequent overseas agitation about conditions around Owerri were traceable to his original report. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I)
176. Transcript of Telephone Conversation
In a conversation with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kissinger, Senator Edward Kennedy expressed concern over the possibility that 30 to 60 percent of Biafrans might die. Kissinger expressed his frustration at bureaucratic obstacles and African sensitivities.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 361, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.
177. Telegram 738 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
During a press conference, Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, stated that relief was a Nigerian problem to be solved by Nigerians. He rejected any suggestion of Europeans coming in to provide assistance and said that relief agencies prolonged the war.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Unclassified. Repeated priority to Dar es Salaam. Also repeated to Addis Ababa, London, Lusaka, Paris, USUN, Geneva, CINCSTIKE, and DIA.
178. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger listed in detail the U.S. actions taken so far in Nigerian relief and then summarized the current situation, concluding that as many as one-and-one-half million people would die in the next 2 to 3 weeks without an airlift of food.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret. The memorandum is marked “retʼd Jan 24 1970.”
179. Memorandum of Conversation
In his meeting with the President, Prime Minister Wilson defended the Lagos government and noted that Nigerians did not like to be coerced. He believed reports of starvation were self-serving. Nixon stated that there was considerable suffering and emphasized that the U.S. concern was humanitarian.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1023, Presidential/Henry A. Kissinger Memcons, Memcon Nixon/Prime Minister Wilson, January 27–28, 1970. Top Secret; Sensitive; NODIS. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. Haig forwarded the memorandum of conversation to Kissinger under cover of a March 3 memorandum in which he referred to the attachment as an “edited version” of the Presidentʼs conversations with Wilson on January 27 and 28 which had been “further modified to remove any comments you made during the first day and cut down the first day somewhat.” An unedited version of this memorandum of conversation is in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 63, Memoranda of Conversations, Presidential File, 1970.
180. Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to White House Situation Room
A source reported Gowonʼs anger towards the U.S. Embassy and its efforts to press relief estimates on the Federal Military Government (FMG). The source reported that conditions were quite good in ex-rebel area and U.S. insistence that there were problems was causing deep resentment toward the U.S.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Noforn Dissem; Controlled Dissem; No Dissem Abroad.
181. Telegram 1005 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
The Embassy transmitted an eyewitness report by an Embassy officer who traveled through the eastern sector of the Biafran enclave and found that conditions were in good shape with much less devastation than expected.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated priority to London. Also repeated to USUN.
182. Memorandum for the Record Prepared by William Watts of the National Security Council Staff
At a National Security Council Staff meeting, Roger Morris reported that many were dying in the enclave, and there was nothing more the United States could do.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 314, NSC 14, Meetings, Staff Meetings 1969–1971. Secret; Sensitive.
183. Telegram 24460 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Congo (K)
Under Secretary of State Richardsonʼs message to Secretary of State Rogers sought to prepare him for a meeting with Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria. Richardson noted that having launched a magnanimous policy of reconciliation, Gowon must have found the critical reports over conditions in Eastern Nigeria a rude shock. Rogers should be aware of Nigerian sensitivity and defensiveness and should proceed in a low-key manner.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 746, Country Files, Africa, Vol. I. Secret; NODIS; Immediate. Drafted by Ruser (S/PC); cleared by Moore, Brubeck and Lloyd (S/S); and approved by Richardson. Repeated immediate to Lagos.
184. Memorandum for the Record
National Security Staffer Richard Kennedy reported on his Nigerian visit from January 26 to February 5. He stated that there was widespread malnutrition in the former Biafran enclave but it varied from village to village. There was enough food, but insufficient transportation. Organization of the relief effort was all but chaotic. The attitude of the Embassy seemed to be somewhat “business as usual.” He saw a conflict between the Embassyʼs desire for good relations and an expanded relief operation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; NODIS.
185. Telegram 1699 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
Ambassador Trueheart believed that U.S. pressures on the relief front had bought U.S.-Nigerian relations close to the breaking point and thus the United States should maintain the lowest of profiles until the irritations recently created had subsided somewhat. He noted that the feeding problem was being addressed with increasing effectiveness.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 Nigeria-US. Secret; Immediate; Eyes Only.
186. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Haig reported that the Biafrans might have reversed their attitude towards the Central Government and attached a CIA report on which that view was based. He cautioned against reliance on ultra liberal attitudes that had prolonged the war by their insistence that the Biafrans would be wiped out if the Central Government prevailed. He advised against nit-picking the Central Government, and did not share National Security Council Staffer Roger Morrisʼs attitude with respect to the plight of the Biafrans.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 18, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Secret; Noforn. The attachments to the memorandum at Tab A are not published.
187. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger seconded a recommendation from Ambassador to Nigeria Trueheart and Under Secretary Richardson that Secretary of State Rogers, while seeing Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, the next day, deliver a personal letter from the President and extend an invitation to visit the United States. Both steps were calculated to improve strained relations. Kissinger expressed concern that if the United States did not express continuing interest in relief efforts, failure to do so might be taken as satisfaction with current measures.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 4, Memoranda to the President, Jan–Feb 1970, Feb 1970, folder 2. Secret; NODIS. The attachments are not published. Nixon approved both the letter and the invitation but wrote in regard to the latter, “but keep it very vague.” Kissinger noted on page one, “To Haig-Rush.” Attached, but not published, was a February 18 handwritten note from Haig to Kissinger stating, “Iʼve implemented this with very vagueʼ caveat. Note, Richardson cable sent w/out our clearance!”
188. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger forwarded Secretary of State Rogersʼ report of his meeting with Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, and highlighted it in his covering memorandum. Rogers reported that relations with Nigeria had obviously been strained but Gowon sought to improve them and was pleased with the invitation to visit the United States. He believed the relief problem was under control. Rogers thought the Embassy should be given maximum flexibility to deal with the situation.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 288, Memoranda to the President, Jan–Feb 1970, Feb 1970, Folder 3. Confidential; NODIS. Sent for information. The memorandum is a copy marked with an indication that Kissinger signed the original.
189. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger forwarded Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardsonʼs latest progress report on Nigerian relief and expressed his concern over the poor distribution and low tonnage of relief supplies. While the Nigerian effort had made tangible progress since the first chaotic days in January, the tonnage still fell far short of estimated needs.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for information.
190. Telegram 3073 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
In its weekly relief roundup, the Embassy reported significant improvement in the relief situation in Owerri and other sectors of the former enclave.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Special Coordinator on Relief to Civilian Victims of the Nigerian Civil War February 1969–June 1970, Lot 70 D 336, Box 514. Confidential; Immediate.
191. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to Secretary of State Rogers
Newsom reported to Rogers that Ambassador to Nigeria Trueheart had expressed grave concern at the prospect of Dr. George Lythcott, who led the Nutritional Survey Mission in Nigeria, proceeding with further consultations with Nigerian health officials. Trueheart feared it could damage already strained relations. The Department wanted him to proceed with his mission, believing that unless the relief program was further strengthened there might be substantial deterioration in the feeding situation in the east.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Special Coordinator on Relief to Civilian Victims of the Nigerian Civil War February 1969–June 1970, Lot 70 D 336, Box 518. Confidential. Drafted by William Brubeck on March 30. The memorandum is not signed.
192. Memorandum From Richard T. Kennedy and Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Kennedy and Morris expressed concern that an article in the Washington Star, derived from a leak of a sensitive nutritional survey done by U.S. and Nigerian doctors in February, could have serious consequences for the relief effort and the U.S. role in it.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential. The memorandum is marked, “HAK has seen, 4/11.” In an April 8 letter to the editor of the Star, George Lythcott, who led the American group that participated in the survey, stated that the numbers were incorrect and the conclusions drawn were wholly in error. Lythcott also sent an apologetic letter to Dr. Silva and Dr. Adesyui in Lagos refuting Doyleʼs article, which was transmitted to Lagos by the Department in telegram 51941. These and other related items are ibid., RG 59, Records of the Special Coordinator on Relief to Civilian Victims of the Nigerian Civil War, February 1969–June 1970, Lot 70 D 336, Boxes 514 and 517.
193. Memorandum of Conversation
Ambassador Iyalla objected to the Star article, preferential treatment for Biafran visa applicants, and Biafran organizations soliciting money in the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Nigeria 03. Confidential.
194. Special Report Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
The report depicted the new Nigeria as more nationalistic, assertive, and pragmatic. There was little enthusiasm for close ties with the USSR. The government was favorably disposed towards the United Kingdom but was suspicious of the United States.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, OCI, SR 0372/70A. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. The report was issued by the Office of Current Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency.
195. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger forwarded Secretary of State Rogersʼ proposal for a new course of action on Nigerian assistance together with his own comments. Kissinger thought there was no need to subordinate relief to reconstruction. Kissinger also forwarded a draft response to Rogers, which Nixon approved.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for action. Nixon initialed his approval of the response to Rogers at Tab A, which is not published. The graph attached to Rogersʼ memorandum is not published.
196. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers
Kissinger informed Rogers that the President approved increased attention to rehabilitation and long-term recovery in Nigeria, but saw no contradiction between good relations and a significant continuing U.S. contribution to relief.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret.
197. Dispatch to the Chief of the Africa Division, Central Intelligence Agency
The dispatch provided a number of comments on postwar Nigeria relevant to the preparation of National Intelligence Estimate 64.2–70 (Document 201). It was noted, for example, that reintegration of the Ibos into national life had gone much better than could have been expected. The military government had indicated that future U.S.-Nigerian relations would largely depend upon U.S. provision of military training and equipment.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, 78–03050R/1/3. Secret.
198. Memorandum of Conversation
Upon his return from Lagos, Ambassador Iyalla met with Department of State officials for a wide-ranging discussion during which he said that U.S.-Nigerian relations were becoming cordial, the AID reconstruction loan was enthusiastically received, and the U.S. Embassy in Lagos was handling well its relationships with the Federal Military Government (FMG). He continued to object to activities in the United States by the Biafran International Foundation and the Nigeria War Victims Relief Foundation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 17 Nigeria-US. Confidential.
199. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger highlighted an attached report to the President from Secretary of State Rogers on Nigeria 7 months after the war. The report stated that Nigeriaʼs recovery was continuing well, international relief had succeeded in averting mass starvation, and U.S. relations with Nigeria had mainly recovered, but there was lingering resentment over the U.S. role during the war.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for information. Morris drafted Kissingerʼs memorandum and forwarded it to him under cover of an August 20 memorandum, on which Kissinger wrote: “Word must be dependence in Point 3 of memo HK.” (Ibid.)
200. Telegram 177998 from the Department of State to the Embassy in the Ivory Coast
Newsom expressed his concern that Ojukwu might seek asylum in the United States, which could do much harm to relations with Nigeria.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 30 Nigeria. Confidential; priority; Limdis. Repeated priority to Lagos. Drafted by Kontos (AF/AFR–N), cleared in (AF/W), and approved by Newsom.
201. National Intelligence Estimate 64.2–70 Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
The estimate examined the “Prospects for Postwar Nigeria.” It noted that relations with the United States were improving, but that Nigeria emerged from the war with a heightened sense of national pride mixed with anti-foreign sentiment. Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, and others in the top military ranks had taken the recent U.S. affirmative response to their military training requests as an indication of U.S. support for, and interest in, Nigeria.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, DDI Files, Job 79R–01012A, Box 391, Folder 5. Secret; Controlled Dissem.
202. Memorandum of Conversation
In a meeting with the Director of the Office of Nigerian Affairs, Ambassador Iyalla, on behalf of Major General Gowon and the Supreme Military Council, strenuously objected to the issuance of U.S. visas to former top leaders of the Biafran regime.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 27 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential.