66. Memorandum From the Acting Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Walsh) to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
SUBJECT:
- Reply to Bishop Swanstromʼs Cable
Bishop Swanstrom has requested that the U.S. Government sell to Joint Church Aid (USA) two additional C–97ʼs in order to increase the total number of C–97ʼs available to JCA for airlifting relief supplies into the Biafran enclave. Originally, we sold to JCA at a nominal price four C–97ʼs despite the active opposition of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Federal Government is presently aware of JCAʼs request for two additional planes and has made its firm opposition to the sale known to the Department. The Nigerian Government explicitly linked present negotiations concerning a surface corridor with any sale of the additional aircraft to JCA. Negotiations on a surface corridor are now in an active phase and we have assurances that the Nigerian Government is prepared to approve a surface corridor plan.
Bishop Swanstrom is aware of our problem of releasing C–97ʼs at this time. Extensive conversations have been held with his principal officer in charge of the airlift, Mr. Edward Kinney, and James MacCracken, Director of Church World Services, which is a principal partner of Catholic Relief Services in the JCA operation. We have been exploring with them ways to maximize the use of their present complement of aircraft without actually increasing [Page 2] the size of the complement. At the same time, we are examining ways of improving their financial position. They, on their part, are exploring the possibility of procuring commercial aircraft, particularly aircraft of foreign registry.
Since Bishop Swanstromʼs request for two additional aircraft was received, one JCA C–97 crashed while landing at Uli Airport. The crew was not injured, but the aircraft as a result of the crash was a total loss. We have anticipated arequest for a replacement for this aircraft and have decided to make available a replacement for the lost C–97, as stated in the attached letter to Bishop Swanstrom.
For your background information, prior to the introduction of the four C–97ʼs in January of this year, the total Sao Tome air fleet included six DC–6ʼs, two DC–7ʼs, one C–46, and one Constellation all flying an average of 70 tons nightly into Uli airfield. With the introduction of the four C–97ʼs, two DC–6ʼs and two DC–7ʼs were dropped. Severe C–97 supply and maintenance problems resulted, however, in an initial net decrease in tons flown; but with refinements in the support system and extensive help from the U.S. Air Force in finding parts, these planes have now become a major ingredient of the airbridge. Airlift capacity has recently been averaging 160 tons per night.
Because of the close relations which already exist between Bishop Swanstrom and Dr. Ferguson, [Page 3] and the possibility that Dr. Ferguson should brief Bishop Swanstrom more fully on the negotiations surrounding a surface relief corridor, it is felt that a reply to the Bishopʼs cable should be made by Dr. Ferguson. Moreover, Dr. Ferguson has already replied to an earlier cable from the Bishop concerning the same subject.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you approve the attached reply to Bishop Swanstrom for signature by Dr. Ferguson.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential.↩
- According to Walshʼs report, Bishop Swanstrom had requested that the U.S. Government sell two additional C–97s to Joint Church Aid U.S.A., Inc. (JCA) despite FMG opposition. The FMG was linking surface corridor negotiations to sale of additional aircraft. The U.S. Government decided it would replace one JCA C–97 that crashed and was a total loss. Attachments 1 and 2, Incoming Correspondence and Suggested reply, are not published.↩