3. - usaid

Large amounts of publicity
and pmpaganda were generated
in the United States
to help Biafra. Most of
it ignored the fact that
starvation was occurring
not only in Biafra, but
also in Federal Nigeria,
Many of these news items
mentioned the tmat to
continued existence of the
Ibo tribe. People were
urged to write to the
President and mmbers of
Congress to do something
for the Biaf'rans,
Enugu - October 1968
During the winter and
spring of 1969 resolutions
were introduced in both
the Senate and the Housc
calling for large contributions by the UTSG as well as greater involvement
in ways and means of getting the food to Nigeria/Biafra. Several members
of Congress went to Nigeria and Biafra and many reports on their findings
were issued,
The USG was urged to take s :uch steps as (1) exerting pressure to obtain a
cease fire; (2) seeking way ,s to have the matter placed before the General
Assembly of the United Natl .om; (3) using its noncanbat planes to deliver
relief supplies to Biafra;
( 4) developing and
obtaining an alternate
land or sea route
acceptable to both
sides; and (5) becoming
more and more involved
in this internal struggle,
All concerned
were anxious that the
tide of starvation be
turned back in Biafra,
A few cautious observations
were made against
the type of involvement
that could develop into
another "Vietnam
situation" .
U, S, Govemment
officials worked unceasingly
to meet the
Uyo - October 1968