Nigerian Civil War
[Page 1]203. Memorandum of Conversation
In meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Newsom, Abassador Iyalla again raised the issue of admitting into the United States key members of the former Biafran regime, in particular Christopher C. Mojekwu, formerly Commissioner for Home Affairs. Newsom explained the limitations on what the Department of State could do about it.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 30 Nigeria. Confidential. In telegram 2103 from the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, March 8, 1971, Trueheart reported that he had informed Ambassador Iyalla of the issuance of a visa to Mojekwu. Iyallaʼs only comment was “General Gowon will not like this.” (Ibid.)
204. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon
The President, upon the recommendation of Rogers, approved the furnishing defense articles and defense services to Nigeria. Nigeriaʼs eligibility had been suspended during the civil war, but top Nigerian officials were now interested in sending military personnel to Department of Defense schools in the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 Nigeria. Confidential. Enclosure 1 to Rogersʼ memorandum is not published.
205. Telegram 60226 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria
In a meeting with Secretary of State Rogers, Ambassadro Iyalla stated that he had returned from Lagos with instructions from Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, to protest the visa granted to C.C. Mojekwu. Mojekwu could become a major problem in U.S-Nigerian relations as he was a chronic troublemaker likely to incite Nigerian students in the United States against the Federal Military Government (FMG).
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Nigeria-U.S. Confidential. Drafted by Foley (AF/NI); cleared in AF, SCA, and S; and approved by Eliot. Repeated to Abidjan and Lisbon.
206. Telegram 3902 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
Under instruction from Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, Deputy Permanent Secretary of External Affairs B.A. Clark called in the Deputy Chief of Mission to express unhappiness over issuance of a visa to C.C. Mojekwu.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Nigeria-US, XR POL 30 Nigeria. Confidential. Repeated to Lisbon.
207. Telegram 74799 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria
This joint Department of State-Department of Defense telegram informed the Embassy that it was authorized to inform the Federal Military Government (FMG) that Nigeria was eligible to purchase defense articles and services under the Foreign Military Sales Act, but the FMG should be encouraged to focus primarily on the purchase of training.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 Nigeria. Confidential. Also sent to Lagos. Repeated to CINCSTRIKE. Drafted by Kormann (AF/I) and Critz (AF/I); cleared in AF/NI, DOD/ISA, Joint Staff, DOD/ISA/MA&S, AF/I and PM/MAS; and approved in AF/I.
208. Memorandum of Conversation
In a meeting with Department of State officials, Ambassador Iyalla discussed the Paris sessions of the Consultative Group for Nigeria and future U.S.-Nigerian aid relationships. He dwelt extensively on the need to improve AIDʼs image in Nigeria.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Nigeria-US. Confidential.
209. Airgram A–22 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria
The Policy Planning Paper for Nigeria, dated June 1971 and approved by the National Security Council Inter-departmental Group for Africa, contained sections on U.S. interests, U.S. objectives, Nigeriaʼs objectives, and recommended courses of action.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 Nigeria-U.S. Secret; Limdis; Noforn. Drafted by Rawls on June 21. The annexes are not published.
210. Letter From Major General Gowon to President Nixon
Gowon responded to Nixonʼs invitation to visit in October by pleading extensive commitments under the aegis of the OAU as well as State visits to African countries. He requested a new visit date, perhaps in 1972.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–1974, Nigeria-Gen. Gowon. No classification marking. The salutation is handwritten. The Department had authorized offering October 5–6 as dates for a state visit in telegram 64751 to Lagos, April 15. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 Nigeria)
211. Letter From President Nixon to Major General Gowon
Nixon responded to Gowonʼs September 18 letter, regretting that a visit was not possible, but holding the invitation open for 1972.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–1974, Nigeria-Gen. Gowon. No classification marking.
212. Memorandum of Conversation
In a meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Iyalla expressed concerns that the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria was being downgraded from Class I to Class II and a Black ambassador was being assigned, indicating his country was being placed on the back burner. They also discussed possible visits by Vice President Agnew and Gowon.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Nigeria-US, Limited Official Use. The meeting took place at The Georgetown Club.
213. Memorandum of Conversation
British and U.S. officials had an open exchange of views regarding Nigeria, including prospects for political stability, economic development and Nigerianization, and U.S., British, and French relations with Nigeria.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL UK-US. Confidential.
214. Memorandum From Fred Rondon of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Rondon forwarded Secretary of State Rogersʼ memorandum recommending that Ambassador Iyalla pay a farewell call on the President. National Security Council Staff Secretary Jeanne Davis called the idea a “non-starter” and Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Haig disapproved it.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for action. The suggested schedule attached at Tab II is not published, nor is the biographical sketch attached to Rogersʼ memorandum. A handwritten notation on Rondonʼs memorandum states, “disapproved by Genʼl Haig 4–14.” In an April 11 memorandum to John Howe, Jeanne Davis wrote: “I think this is a non-starter. The Presidentʼs office (Parker) has made it plain that the President does not want to see any more departing Ambassadors unless there are overriding reasons why he should. If HAK really wants to support this, we will have to be prepared to have one or two turn-downs before it actually goes through.” Haig wrote on the memorandum, “AgreeDrop it.” Both Haig and John Howe initialed Haigʼs comment. (Ibid.)
215. Memorandum From Melvin H. Levine of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Levine forwarded a Department of State memorandum regarding troublesome relations with Nigeria and added comments of his own. One problem was Nigerian unhappiness at the U.S. resumption of imports of Rhodesian chrome. Another was former Ambassador Iyallaʼs unhappiness at not seeing the President for a farewell call.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for information. At the top of the memorandum is written, “HAK has seen.”
216. Telegram 8136 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
Ministry of External Affairs Permanent Secretary Joe Iyalla presented Ambassador Reinhardt with a lengthy list of alleged calculated U.S. attempts to downgrade Nigeria which, Iyalla believed, all added up to a pattern of U.S. indifference and a penchant to take Nigeria for granted.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Nigeria-US. Confidential. Repeated to Ibadan and Kaduna.
217. Telegram 9519 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State
Assistant Secretary of State Newsom reported on his 5-day visit to Nigeria, remarking on Nigeriaʼs independence and sensitivity. He noted that the United States remained popular but suffered from its civil war policy, its stand on South Africa, and the belief that the United States was unwilling to respond to Nigerian priorities on aid.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) Nigeria. Confidential. Repeated to London.