Nigerian Civil War

[Page 1]

113. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Kissinger confirmed the unofficial trip by Saturday Review editor Norman Cousins with no U.S. involvement unless Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, and Lieutenant Colonel Ojukwu, Military Governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, responded positively.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 52, Country Files, Africa, “Cousins, Norman” Biafra. Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. This copy of the memorandum is not initialed.


114. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Kissinger informed the President that Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, had agreed to a 3-week period of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) daylight relief flights to Biafra. A reliable source reported that he made the decision in the face of almost unanimous cabinet opposition.

Source: National Archives, Nixonʼs Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 10, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Tab A is not published.


115. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation

In a telephone conversation with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger, Saturday Review editor Norman Cousins indicated that he was going to meet with a representative from the Eastern region the following day. Kissinger stated he and the President would not take an official position until there was some hope.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 52, Country Files, Africa, “Cousins, Norman” Biafra. No classification marking.


116. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Morris brought Kissinger up to date on negotiations over International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) relief flights. The Federals had agreed “in principle” to daylight flights while the Biafrans had not because they wanted a guarantee against Nigerian violations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for information. The memorandum is stamped “HAK has seen.” Telegram 3296 from the U.S. Mission in Geneva to the Department of State, September 15, transmitted a Markpress release stating: “The Government of the Republic of Biafra has rejected the new agreement signed between the Nigerian Government and the ICRC on daylight relief flights to Biafra as it contains no adequate guarantee against Nigerian military exploitation of the flights.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria)


117. Telegram 8336 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State

The Embassy reported that Biafra was expanding its air force through acquisition of T–6 airplanes and needed more aviation gas, which was obtained from relief flights based in Sao Tome and Libreville. This increased friction between the Federal Military Government (FMG) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Delivery of C–97s to Joint Church Aid U.S.A., Inc. (JCA) threatened to have an adverse effect on the U.S. position in Nigeria unless strict fuel control measures were adopted.

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, Folder A–2. Confidential. Repeated to Geneva, DIA, and CINCSTRIKE.


118. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Kissinger told the President that Norman Cousins, the editor of the Saturday Review, believed his usefulness in the Nigerian situation had ended. Kissinger recommended, and Nixon approved, that Cousins be authorized to pass a message to the Biafran representatives in Paris that a member of Kissingerʼs staff would be available for an informal meeting. Nixon initialed “Approve.”

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Nodis. Sent for action.


119. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Kissinger recommended a Presidential statement on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) daylight relief flight efforts and a quiet offer of assistance to the ICRC in an attempt to secure Biafran agreement.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Nodis. Nixon initialed “Approve” and wrote “good work!” below. The memorandum is marked on page one, “Roger Informed” and “File - Special File. Not to Secretariat”. Tab A is not published.


120. Memorandum of Conversation

Special Coordinator Clyde Fergusonʼs 3-hour conversation with Biafran representatives included the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) daylight flight plan, the Cross River route project, and the One Nigeria concept.

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, Memcons (2/25–12/29/69). Confidential.


121. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Morris objected to two telegrams from the Embassy in Nigeria that ran counter to the Presidentʼs Nigeria policy. Morris wrote that he would discuss the telegrams with Assistant Secretary of State David Newsom.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Confidential; Nodis. The memorandum is stamped “HAK has seen Sep 30 1969.”


122. Memorandum of Conversation

In a meeting with Norman Cousins, the editor of the Saturday Review, and Biafran representatives, Roger Morris of the National Security Council staff stressed that the discussions were informal, secret, and implied no U.S. commitment. The participants discussed starting negotiations, a partial stand-down, the U.S. position, negotiation procedures, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), security guarantees, other powers, relief, and the shape of the settlement. Morris stated that he would convey the content of the conversation to the President and his assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 52, Country Files, Africa, “Cousins, Norman” Biafra. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in Cousins’s residence. An October 3 memorandum from Morris to Bill Watts indicates that the memorandum of conversation was forwarded to Kissinger. (Ibid., Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I)


123. Memorandum of Conversation

Secretary of State Rogers met with Federal Commissioner for External Affairs Arikpo in New York. They discussed International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) flights, reintegration of Ibos into Nigerian society, and meetings with Special Coordinator Clyde Ferguson.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, S/S Conference Files 1966–1972, Entry 3051B, Box 499, 24th UNGA—Memcons, Vol. II, #30. Secret. The meeting took place in the Mission to the United Nations.


124. Memorandum of Conversation

Special Coordinator Clyde Ferguson met with Nigerian officials in New York and had a candid exchange of views about C–97s, Joint Church Aid U.S.A., Inc. (JCA) operations, and political pressure from churches.

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, E–1 Office Memoranda, reports to Under Secretary, etc. Confidential.


125. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom)

Morris outlined new diplomatic efforts for ending the Biafran War. He believed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had done some fast shuffling with the daylight flight proposal so the Federal Military Government (FMG) was committed while Biafra was not. Morris felt that the next proposals must be precise.

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, Memorandum. Secret. Copies were sent to Ferguson and Ruser.


126. Briefing Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

In anticipation of President Nixonʼs meeting with Secretary of State William Rogers on October 6, Morris briefed Kissinger on bilateral talks on Nigeria at the United Nations, developments in the war, and the Department of Stateʼs line of argument. Morris advocated an activist U.S. role and warned Kissinger against Rogersʼ hands-off policy.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 280, Agency Files, Department of State, 10/01/69, Vol. IV. Top Secret; Eyes Only. The cables at Tab A are not published.


127. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon

Rogers thought prospects for achieving agreement on relief arrangements were not good, nor was there evidence that either side was prepared to make the concessions required for meaningful negotiations. He outlined a number of “further steps.”

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret. In an October 8 memorandum for Kissinger, Haig said that Morris thought Rogersʼ memo completely misrepresented the issues; Morris was preparing a memorandum on it for Kissinger. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Items to Discuss With the President, 8/13/69-12/30/69)


128. Memorandum of Conversation

Roger Morris of the National Security Council staff met with Federal Commissioner for External Affairs Arikpo and Nigerian Ambassador Iyalla at the latterʼs residence and had a slightly acrimonious discussion on a range of topics: Biafran morale, U.S. relief policy, French status, Uli airfield, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, Major General Gowonʼs, position and authority, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) daylight flights, and U.S. interest in the conflict.

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, President Nixon. Secret; Nodis. A copy was sent to Ferguson.


129. Briefing Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Morris briefed Kissinger on Nigeria/Biafra for his meeting that afternoon with Federal Commissioner for External Affairs Arikpo and provided talking points. Morris noted that Under Secretary of State Richardson had “decided” to proceed with the relief initiative the President previously instructed and had also “decided” to get moving on peace probing.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NCS Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret. Morris attached the memorandum of his conversation with Arikpo and Iyalla on October 12 (Document 128).


130. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Morris informed Kissinger that he was still very concerned about the low-key way the Department of State was going about the Presidential instruction to mount a serious peace probe. Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson seemed on board and sought to bring Secretary of State William Rogers around by having Assistant Secretary of State David Newsom send a memorandum to the Secretary which Richardson would endorse. But the an advance draft copy of Newsomʼs memorandum, which Morris attached, “directly contravenes the Presidentʼs instructions to pursue an even-handed and vigorous initiative.” Morris requested (and received) Kissingerʼs approval to discuss Saturday Review editor Norman Cousinsʼ peace efforts with Richardson.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Morris made notations on and underlined portions of the attachment.


131. Telegram 180295 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria

The telegram transmitted a message for Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, from President Nixon. The United States stood with the Federal Military Government (FMG) on its commitment to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) daylight flights without violation. The Biafrans would be asked that Uli not be used for arms flights in daylight hours.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Priority. Repeated to London and Abidjan. Drafted by Brubeck (AF/SN); cleared by Newsom, and in U/CF, S/S, and the White House; and approved by Richardson.


132. Telegram 3001 From the Embassy in Ivory Coast to the Department of State

Biafra rejected the U.S. proposal for daylight flights, blaming the rejection on the Federal Military Government (FMG).

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9, Biafra-Nigeria. Secret.


133. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Haig)

Morris informed Haig that the Department of Stateʼs Bureau of African Affairs personnel had been instructed not to talk to him. Also, Assistant Secretary of State David Newsom had attempted to cut him off from all Bureau of African Affairs papers, memoranda, and policy discussions.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 148, U.S.-Domestic-Agency Files, State/White House Relationship, Vol. 1, January 28–October 31, 1969. Confidential; Informal; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Morris wrote in hand at the bottom of page 3, “Newsom ‘clearedʼ his testimony, as pro forma, with Bob—and was told to avoid all statements implying what our policy is or would be. Commerce and Treas. Were told likewise, and they observed the restraint. You can judge from passages at clips how seriously Newsom took the clearance.ʼ” The attachments are not published.


134. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson proposed a Presidential statement that placed responsibility on Biafran authorities for the failure to achieve an agreement for daytime International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) relief flights. Robert L. Brown signed the memorandum for Eliot.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. No classification marking. The statement was not released. See Document 135, Attachment C thereto, and Document 137.


135. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Morris recommended against a harsh Presidential statement condemning Biafra for its failure to implement daytime relief flights. He wanted Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson to issue a mild statement to preserve an impression of balance and fairness.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Nodis. Sent for action. Tab B is not published. Morrisʼ memorandum at Tab C is marked OBE, Overtaken By Events. The attached draft memorandum was not forwarded to the President. Attachments A and B to the draft memorandum are not published.


136. Memorandum of Conversation

Edward Kinney of Joint Church Aid U.S.A., Inc. (JCA) reported on talks with the Federal Military Government (FMG) and Biafra on JCA daylight flights. The Nigerians were more interested than the Biafrans, but he was not optimistic of a favorable result.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Special Coordinator on Relief to Civilian Victims of the Nigerian Civil War, Lot 70 D 336, Box 517, D-13 Voluntary Agencies JCA. Secret. The memorandum is 8 pages but only the summary is published.


137. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to Anthony Lake of the National Security Council Staff

Morris outlined the ideological clash over Biafra among Secretary of State William Rogers, Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson, and himself. Morris complained that State was not clearing Nigerian policy cables and recommended Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger discuss with Rogers the Presidentʼs desire for an active peace probe.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Eyes Only; Highest Priority. The memorandum is marked “Sent by wire to K. B., 11/6” and “OK, W” and was initialed by Haig.


138. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Kissinger informed the President that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had ceased direct relief to Biafra and would channel its funds, food stocks, and equipment (including U.S. donated aircraft) to French and Scandinavian Red Cross agencies operating out of Sao Tome and Libreville.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 13, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Nixon wrote on page 2, “What does State suggest we do?”


139. Statement by Secretary of State Rogers

In his statement, Rogers rebuked Biafra for rejecting daytime flights and expressed doubt that the Cross River proposal could substitute for relief flights due to a low water level.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9, Biafra-Nigeria. No classification marking.


140. Memorandum From Roger Morris of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Morrisʼs memorandum on bureaucratic coordination outlined the policy conflict over Nigeria/Biafra among the President, the National Security Council, Secretary of State William Rogers, Under Secretary of State Elliot Richardson, and Assistant Secretary of State David Newsom. Morris recommended that Kissinger discuss the policy with Rogers, but Kissinger preferred to discuss it with Richardson.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Eyes Only. Sent for action. The option, “Iʼll handle it with Richardson,” was checked. A handwritten note on page one says, “Action Completed.”


141. Intelligence Note No. 811 From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Cline) to Secretary of State Rogers

Cline assessed the recent acquisition of aircraft by Biafra and Nigeria as well as new Nigerian field pieces. He doubted there would be serious negotiations until one side or the other was hurt sufficiently to force concessions.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; No Foreign Dissem.


142. Intelligence Note No. 830 From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Cline) to Secretary of State Rogers

Although an attempt would be made to have second level talks under Haile Selassieʼs supervision when Ramadan ended after December 12, Cline believed a military solution was most likely.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–14 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem.