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Telegram 7068 From the Embassy in Nigeria to the Department of State, August 5, 1969, 1725Z
Abstract
August 5, 1969, 1725Z
The Embassy expected the negative Federal Military Government (FMG) response as the ICRC failed to consider the sovereignty issue, but the message should not be taken as absolute rejection. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) should consider a new personal mission to Lagos. The Embassy did not believe the FMG was pursuing a policy of genocide nor did Marcel Naville, ICRC president, despite the belief by ICRC Vice President James Freymond and others.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27-9 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential; LIMDIS; Priority. Repeated to Geneva, Addis Ababa, London, Paris, and USUN. The text of Gowon's August 4 message to Naville was transmitted in telegram 7029 from Lagos, August 5. Gowon stated in part: “You have not informed me of any aspects my government's policy which in your opinion contravene any articles Geneva Convention pertinent to situation civil war. My government's policy can only be regarded as defective or unrealistic if can be shown contravene international conventions. Any judgment other than that cannot but be political and this is no function your organization.” (Ibid.)
The Embassy expected the negative Federal Military Government (FMG) response as the ICRC failed to consider the sovereignty issue, but the message should not be taken as absolute rejection. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) should consider a new personal mission to Lagos. The Embassy did not believe the FMG was pursuing a policy of genocide nor did Marcel Naville, ICRC president, despite the belief by ICRC Vice President James Freymond and others.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27-9 Biafra-Nigeria. Confidential; LIMDIS; Priority. Repeated to Geneva, Addis Ababa, London, Paris, and USUN. The text of Gowon's August 4 message to Naville was transmitted in telegram 7029 from Lagos, August 5. Gowon stated in part: “You have not informed me of any aspects my government's policy which in your opinion contravene any articles Geneva Convention pertinent to situation civil war. My government's policy can only be regarded as defective or unrealistic if can be shown contravene international conventions. Any judgment other than that cannot but be political and this is no function your organization.” (Ibid.)
Biafran War Database.
Editor: Azuka Nzegwu.
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