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

182. Memorandum for the Record Prepared by William Watts of the National Security Council Staff¹ ²

Washington, February 4, 1970

SUBJECT:

• Wednesday Morning Operations Staff Meeting

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Nigeria.]

3. On Nigeria, Roger said the federal government may be destroying the Uli airfield. He understands Dewey was thrown out on the personal orders of General Gowon. Kennedy and Ruser will be back here Saturday morning. Kissinger asked if anything was getting into the enclave. Roger said not nearly enough and that many are dying. We will never know just how many. There really is nothing more we can do right now.

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Nigeria.]

1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 314, NSC 14, Meetings, Staff Meetings 1969–1971. Secret; Sensitive.
2. 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.