94. Telegram 2740 From the Mission to the European Office of the United Nations to the Department of State1 2
Subj:
- Nigeria: ICRC Flights
Ref:
- 1. Geneva 2717
- 2. Geneva 2737
1. Following is final text of ICRC note dated Aug 1, 1969 addressed to FMG (unnecessary words omitted):
Begin quote: ICRC presents its compliments to FMG of Nigeria and has honor to propose to it the following.
In course of recent conversations between representatives of the parties to present conflict and ICRC, it has been confirmed that an agreement is reached on the principle of operation by the ICRC of a daylight relief airlift. Differences have appeared, however, on inspection procedure, and on place where such inspection shall be carried out in order verify nature of cargo and identity of personnel transported by relief aircraft. Difficulties have also arisen on nature of guarantee assuring security of operation.
Moved by deepest concern for plight of innocent civilian victims [Page 2] of conflict, ICRC has drafted following practicable plan which it now submits to approval of parties:
1. That an air corridor reserved to the ICRC mercy flights shall be opened across Nigerian air space into Biafra.
2. That the safeguard and protection afforded by the distinctive emblem of Red Cross shall be recognized and formally confirmed by parties to conflict.
3. That the parties to the conflict shall pledge themselves to facilitate mercy flights and refrain from any intervention, either in air or on ground, within limits of air corridor, during time reserved for ICRC airlift.
With view to cooperating fully with all authorities, ICRC shall:
A) Submit to parties to conflict complete schedules of flights showing inter alia estimated times of arrivals over checkpoints:
B) Give every facility to a controlling commission so that it may verify on ICRC bases at Cotonou and Santa Isabel nature of relief and identity of personnel aboard aircraft prior to departure for mercy flights, and on return.
Observers will board ICRC relief aircraft and accompany mercy flights, if so requested by either or both parties to conflict.
ICRC avails itself of opportunity to renew to FMG of Nigeria the assurance of its highest consideration. End quote
Comment: Most significant change appears specific reference to ICRC bases at Cotonou and Santa Isabel, i.e. inspection/inception flights from outside FMG territory.
2. At Ambassador Fergusonʼs direction, Gutman gave brief oral resume to Kolo and Hollist who have not yet received note. Kolo made very few comments but seemed to read significance into fact that inspectors/observers would be furnished by governments identified with Luns group. He also noted point that church groups and UN organizations were not represented at last nightʼs meeting.
[Page 3]3. Kolo told Gutman that he would not repeat not attend joint meeting this afternoon. He gave no reasons. FMG thus will be represented only by Hollist who did not seem looking forward to this meeting.
4. Limdis refers to paragraphs 2 and 3. Text note is LOU until its release by ICRC.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Also sent to Lagos. Repeated to Addis Ababa, London, Paris, The Hague, and USUN.↩
- The Mission transmitted the final text of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) note to the Federal Military Government (FMG) dated August 1. The ICRC note stated that daylight relief flights from Cotonou and Santa Isabel could be inspected and observers could board and accompany flights.↩