70. Memorandum From Secretary of State Muskie to President Carter1
[Omitted here are items unrelated to West Africa.]
3. Shagari Meetings—As follow-up to the question you raised during your meeting with President Shagari, the Nigerians have agreed to explore ways to substantially increase their purchases of American rice.2 One possibility, which they are agreeable to, is to enter into an agreement to purchase a specific quantity of rice, provided that the price is competitive and the seller helps Nigeria in its efforts to increase domestic rice production. Shagari also asked Fritz Mondale whether the price of U.S. rice might be lowered. We will follow up on this [Page 220] issue in discussions with the Nigerians during our October 24–28 trade agreement negotiations.3
Meeting with the Joint Agricultural Consultative Committee, Shagari and his senior advisors were very forthcoming on their interest in U.S. agribusiness investment and outlined several changes in their regulations, which have either already been implemented or are in the works, to encourage foreign investment in the agricultural sector. At a follow-up meeting, the members of the Committee seemed to agree that the opportunities were great, but so were the problems. Success depends on Shagari’s continued strong commitment. (LOU)
[Omitted here are items unrelated to West Africa.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 23, Evening Reports (State) 10/80. Secret. Carter initialed “C” in the upper right corner.↩
- See Document 69.↩
- In telegram 296721 to Lagos, November 6, the Department reported on the U.S.-Nigeria trade negotiations that were eventually held November 3–4. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800532–0254)↩