114. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1 2
SUBJECT:
- Morning Briefing Items
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Nigeria.]
[Page 2]Nigeria/Biafra: General Gowon of the Federal Military Government announced yesterday that Nigeria has agreed to the ICRC proposal for daylight relief flights to Biafra. The agreement is initially set for a three-week period, however, its extension will be subject to further negotiation.
A reliable source has reported that Gowonʼs decision was made in the face of almost unanimous cabinet opposition. Gowon reasoned, however, that Nigeriaʼs position in international opinion was the crucial factor.
Attached at Tab A is the CIA Presidential briefing.
- Source: National Archives, Nixonʼs Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 10, Presidentʼs Daily Briefs. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Tab A is not published.↩
- 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.↩