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

210. Letter From Major General Gowon to President Nixon¹ ²

Lagos, September 18, 1971

My Dear Mr. President,

I wrote to you earlier in the year to accept with profound gratitude your very kind invitation to me to visit the United States of America. While our officials were trying to suggest mutually convenient dates for the visit, I continued my programme of State Visits to a number of African countries particularly to thank their Governments and peoples for the unwavering support they gave to me during the civil war in my country as well as to promote vital interests common to our peoples. At the same time, I was, and continue to be, intensely preoccupied with the formulation and implementation of my countryʼs current Development Plan. In the midst of the foregoing commitments, I have had to accept a number of urgently necessary assignments under the aegis of the Organisation or African Unity affecting the peace and progress of Africa. In the firm belief that my visit to your great country would cement further the cordial and friendly relations which so happily exist between our two countries, I still hoped to be able to visit your country this year. Hence the delay in indicating my preferences for the dates in October suggested by your officials.

I am afraid I am still not free of my immediate preoccupations at home and in Africa. With the coming fall and winter, and having regard to the arrangements which you will have to make in so short a time to receive me in the midst of your other many pressing engagements, I hesitate to suggest that the visit be postponed till later in the year. Consequently, I want to take the liberty of our friendship to express the hope that your invitation to me to visit you remains still valid and open. I shall therefore be highly delighted if another mutually acceptable date for my visit can be fixed through our diplomatic channels, preferably not within this year.

I deeply regret my inability to visit your country this year. The decision has been forced on me by circumstances beyond my control. As a man with an abiding interest in my country and Africa, I trust that you will understand my position.

Accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours most sincerely,

(MAJOR-GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON)

Head of the Federal Military Government,
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–1974, Nigeria-Gen. Gowon. No classification marking. The salutation is handwritten. The Department had authorized offering October 5–6 as dates for a state visit in telegram 64751 to Lagos, April 15. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 Nigeria)
2. Gowon responded to Nixonʼs invitation to visit in October by pleading extensive commitments under the aegis of the OAU as well as State visits to African countries. He requested a new visit date, perhaps in 1972.