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

191. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to Secretary of State Rogers¹ ²

Washington, undated

SUBJECT:

• Nigerian Relief—INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

Dr. George Lythcott, who led the Nutritional Survey Mission in Nigeria in February and has very good, long-standing relationships with Nigerian health officials, is in Lagos again this week for a final, important consultation. His mission is to try to influence Nigerian health officials, on the basis of the February survey, to take certain further actions to meet the serious problems that may still lie ahead in the relief program.

Ambassador Trueheart has now expressed grave concern as to Dr. Lythcottʼs proceeding with these consultations even though it had been previously agreed between Dr. Lythcott and the Nigerians that he would return for a further discussion of the nutritional problem. Trueheart believes, despite Dr. Lythcottʼs status in Lagos, that further conversations along this line could seriously damage our already strained relationships with the Ministry of Health and that Lythcottʼs scheduled trip to the war-affected area is also inadvisable.

We have informed Ambassador Trueheart that we believe Dr. Lythcott should proceed with his mission as far as the Nigerians will permit and that the Embassy should support him in his efforts. There is serious concern here, in the White House and among the Public Health nutritionists who have been working on the Nigerian problem, that, unless the relief program is further strengthened, there may be substantial deterioration in the feeding situation in the East.

If Dr. Lythcott is unable to carry out the mission for which he has gone to Lagos, we will again have reached a point where Nigerian sensitivities and the concern felt here about the situation are in direct conflict. In that event, we may need to consult with you in a day or two on next steps.

1. 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. Confidential. Drafted by William Brubeck on March 30. The memorandum is not signed.
2. Newsom reported to Rogers that Ambassador to Nigeria Trueheart had expressed grave concern at the prospect of Dr. George Lythcott, who led the Nutritional Survey Mission in Nigeria, proceeding with further consultations with Nigerian health officials. Trueheart feared it could damage already strained relations. The Department wanted him to proceed with his mission, believing that unless the relief program was further strengthened there might be substantial deterioration in the feeding situation in the east.