87. Telegram 116458 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria1 2
For Ambassador Mathews from Under Secretary
SUBJECT:
- US-Nigeria Relations
1. Letter from President to Gowon follows septel.
2. In delivering letter you should convey following to him.
3. USG deeply disturbed at posture taken toward US in last few weeks including strident statements made by high-ranking officials of what we regard as friendly government. We have been particularly surprised that FMG has apparently been uninterested in correcting irresponsible statements, such as those on Cross River project, serving to incite public opinion against US.
4. We want to make clear again that our policy toward Nigeria is one of friendship not hostility. As the President said in his earlier letter to General Gowon, we want to continue our friendly cooperation with the FMG. We have, after all, common interests and basic ties of friendship. In present situation our concern is to help Nigeria to prevent other Nigerians from dying, not to intervene in the war. Our policy toward Nigeria has been honest and straightforward. Accusations to the contrary impugn our good faith.
[Page 2]5. We expect of the FMG a responsible and dispassionate appreciation of our position just as USG appreciates that of Nigeria. This mutual understanding is the only possible basis for the constructive and friendly relationship we want with Nigeria.
6. We appreciate the role of Nigerian public opinion in FMG consideration of relief arrangements.FMG must realize, however, that should the relief impasse continue much longer the question of possible new USG approaches to the problem will undoubtedly arise. We believe FMG has much to gain in terms of the understanding and support of the international community by being as forthcoming and magnanimous on relief arrangements as its real security requirements make possible.
END
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Secret; Exdis; Immediate. Drafted by Sherry (AF/W) and Melbourne; cleared in the White House, U, S/S, and by Ferguson and Moore AF; and approved by Richardson.↩
- Under Secretary of State Richardson instructed Ambassador Mathews to inform Major General Gowon, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, when delivering the letter transmitted in telegram 116460, that the United States Government was disturbed at his incitement of public opinion against the United States. Further, if the relief impasse continued much longer, the question of possible new U.S. approaches to the problem would undoubtedly arise.↩