76. Telegram 5314 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State1 2

Subj:

  • FMG Attitude Toward Relief Flights

Ref:

  • State 937591B
1.
Arikpo received me this afternoon at conclusion Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. I said USG deeply concerned at shooting down of ICRC aircraft and implications this development for future of relief airlift. I asked whether FMG policy was still as stated by Gowon to Ferguson and Olson on June 3 (Lagos 5026). Arikpo replied that issue had been discussed at length in FEC and agreement reached that in view rebel acquisition air capability FMG could no longer passively accept uncontrolled flights through its airspace. FEC thinking was that time and flight pattern of each relief flight would have to be notified in advance to FMG. Any aircraft not so notified would be regarded as hostile and attempt made to intercept. Interceptor would signal such aircraft to follow to FMG airfield and would attack only if aircraft disregarded signal. Arikpo added that details these arrangements being worked out and that FMG hoped make announcement in few days.
2.
I responded that this proposed change FMG policy would create great difficulties for FMG and for USG and other friends of Nigeria. I said I had already been instructed see Gowon on this subject and urged Arikpo to arrange appointment before proposed announcement made. Arikpo replied Gowon fully booked June 12 but would set up meeting June 13, he assured me announcement would not be issued until after meeting.
3.
I told Arikpo USG had been greatly disturbed by fact ICRC aircraft shot down less than three days after Gowon had assured Ferguson that aircraft would not be attacked in air. ArikpO responded that Gowon and he troubled by same aspect. Gowon had commented to Arikpo that Americans would wonder whether he controlled NAF. I intimated that such questions had been raised in Washington. I asked Arikpo whether there would be no further attacks in air unless and until FMG announced new policy. He said there would not but I sensed lack of confidence on his part (see Lagos 5290).
4.
When I mentioned MinInfo statement of June 7, Arikpo interrupted me to say that Gowon and he had been dismayed our statement. Extaff had learned MinInfo preparing statement and had tried without success to prevent issue. In response my query, Arikpo said I could assure USG on behalf Gowon and himself that statement was not rpt not expression of FMG policy or attitude. One consequence this unhappy occurrence had been FEC agreement today that all future statements re relief airlift and related problems would be made by Dodan barracks or Extaff.
5.
I pointed out that USG concern over shooting down ICRC aircraft was heightened when it learned Amcit killed and urged that FMG issue comprehensive statement soonest. Arikpo responded FMG wanted be sure of facts before issuing any more statements. Investigation was being pressed and he hoped statement could be made in few days. Arikpo commented that NAF had reported aircraft attacked only after it disregarded signal by interceptor to follow and land.
6.
I ask that Department review instructions contained reftel. Given inflamed public opinion here and strong conviction within FMG that something must be done about night flights, I do not believe Gowon, even if he were himself so disposed which I doubt, could agree to maintain status quo on night flights. While Department will undoubtedly share Embassy doubt that FMG has technical and administrative capability to carry out arrangements it now contemplating, these arrangements aim at control rather than prohibition relief flights. In present circumstances, I believe our most effective course is to try to guide FMG in devising workable control procedures and to try to convince ICRC and JCA to cooperate in such procedures.
Mathews
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated priority to Addis Ababa. Also repeated to Cotonou, Lisbon, London, Geneva, CINCSTRIKE.
  2. Ambassador Mathews reported on his meeting with Federal Commissioner for External Affairs Arikpo, during which he presented U.S. views on Federal Military Government (FMG) policy toward relief flights, the FMG statement in response to a U.S. press release (see Documents 72 and 73), and FMG assurances that the Nigerian Air Force could be controlled. Arikpo stated that the FMG must control its air space. Regarding the FMG statement, Arikpo said it had come from the Ministry of Information and was not an expression of FMG policy.