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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969–1972
  4. Document 95

95. Telegram 129202 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nigeria1 2

Washington, August 2, 1969, 0106Z

EARLY A.M. DELIVERY

SUBJECT:

  • Nigeria: ICRC Flights

REF:

  • Geneva 2740

1. We believe that ICRC note to FMG represents a sincere effort to elaborate a reasonable compromise and offers scope for adaptation and elaboration. We therefore believe that FMG should give most careful consideration to ICRC text, appreciating that ICRC appears to be seeking formula for daylight flights which can be acceptable to both FMG and Biafra and which recognizes security requirements of both. Because of references in ICRC note to its flight bases in Cotonou and Santa Isabel and omission of any reference to touchdowns within Nigeria, it particularly important that FMG not act hastily or negatively or make public statements which would limit its flexibility.

2. FMG, if it agreed to ICRC proposal subject to elaboration of its working details could show world in convincing fashion that it is cooperating in seeing that needy are fed. Biafran authorities would then have to face up to their own responsibility by giving agreement or deny relief to suffering people in area they control by [Page 2] continuing to refuse daylight flights.

3. You are requested to consult with UK HICOM with respect to ICRC note and considerations advanced above. You should propose that he might want to see Gowon in effort to persuade him to consider carefully ICRC proposal while you, in any event, are instructed to see Arikpo on same subject. From here, it would appear that since Ambassador Mathews has used considerable Embassy capital to obtain Gowonʼs agreement for participation in Cross River talks, that UK HICOM in better position to approach Gowon directly in behalf ICRC proposal.
END

Richardson
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–9 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential; Limdis; Immediate. Repeated to Addis Ababa, London, Paris, The Hague, Geneva, and USUN. Drafted by Melbourne and Sherry (AF/W); cleared in U/CF, Gleysteen S/S, and U; and approved by Moore.↩
  2. The Department believed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) daytime flight proposal merited careful Federal Military Government (FMG) consideration. The assistance of the United Kingdom High Commissioner should be sought to persuade the FMG to consider the proposal.↩