Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969–1972

115. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation¹ ²

Washington, September 9, 1969, 9:25 p.m.

Mr. Cousins said he was calling per HAKʼs request. K said what I told you still holds. C said he was going to meet with a representative from the Eastern region in Paris tomorrow. K asked how C proposed to deal with the problem. C said he was just going to say that we have the deepest interest and if there is anything we can usefully do we wouldnʼt be reluctant to consider it—also make the OAU (?) thing work. K said you can tell them if they can find a useful role for us we will be happy to participate. C said our first hope is that the OAU resolution will have some constructive effect. K said we appreciate his taking such an interest. K said he talked with the President about it and we donʼt think we should take an official position until we see some hope. C said he appreciated that and he would be back with K.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 52, Country Files, Africa, “Cousins, Norman” Biafra. No classification marking.
2. 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.