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

60. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, April 24, 1969

SUBJECT:

• Congressional Criticism of Nigerian Policy

You should be aware that the Congressional chorus on Nigeria-Biafra may be rising again. There has been a clear moratorium on the subject since Clyde Fergusonʼs appointment as Special Coordinator. But apparently the critics were only waiting for Ferguson to return essentially empty-handed from his first trip to the war zone.

We now have reports from the Hill of a high-powered new organization to bring together private and Congressional personalities. It would be called “Americans for Biafran Relief..” The moving spirits include Senators Kennedy (taking the lead), Pearson, Goodell; Congressmen Lukins, Fraser, Lowenstein; and various private figures in the relief effort such as Katherine Menninger, Bishop Swanstrom of Catholic Relief, and Fulton Lewis III. The broader membership pulls out all the stops: the JCʼs, the Young Republican and Young Democrat Federations, and religious relief bodies.

I gather the group will assemble on the Hill today to issue a “manifesto” criticizing U.S. policy and perhaps calling for political mediation of the civil war. There have also been plans for a student “fast-in” around the country to save money for Biafran relief.

Itʼs not clear yet how far this group will go in mixing politics with relief. Senator Pearson, for example, has argued against U.S. political involvement in Nigeria. It is plain, however, that the pressure will build up again for some more dramatic step on relief or stopping the war.

I am enclosing an earlier basic memo on the Biafran problem, including a run-down of our major options.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria. Confidential. Sent for information.
2. Kissinger warned the President that the Congressional chorus on Nigeria might be rising again, in particular due to a new organization, “Americans for Biafran Relief,” with Senator Kennedy taking the lead. Tabs to attachment are included with Kissingerʼs January 28 memorandum, Document 25.