3. - usaid

airlift operations into Biafh. U. S. voluntary agencies have also made
large contributions and have played an important role in sustainiry: the
air bridge from Sao T m to Biafra.
CXI February 22, 1969, in announcing the apnointmnt of Ambassador Ferguson
as Special Coordinator for relief to the civilian victims of the Nigerian
ciyfl war, President Nixon issued a statement saying in part:
"The efforts of outside governments to expand re lief are greatly
complicated by the political and militq issues that divide
the contestants. Unfortunately, the hwnanitarian urge to feed
the starving has become enmeshed in those issues and stands in
danger of interpretation by the parties as a fom of intervention.
But surely it is within the conscience and ability of
man to give effect to his humanitarianism without involving
himself in the politics of the dispute.
"It is in this spirit that U. S. policy tYiZZ drm a sharp
distinction between carrying out our moral obligations to
respond effectively to humanitarian needs and involving ourselves
in the political affairs of others. The U. S. will not
shrink from this humanitarian challenge but, in cooperation
with those of like mind, will seek to meet it."
The President said the Coordinator would give particular attention to ways
and mans by which the flow of relief could be increased to the suffering
on both sides of the battle lines. He added:
"The Special Coordinator will not seek and will not accept a
chawe to negotiate issues other than those direct23 relevant to
relief. Neverthe less, the U. S. earnestly hopes fop an early
negotiated end to the conf Zict and a sett Zement that will assure
the protection and peaceful development of all the peoples
involved. "
In April, Mqv and June Ambassador Ferausonls efforts to augment the flow
of relief took him to Laqos, Biafra, Addis Ababa, Geneva, London, the Hague
and Copenhwn. He has been working closely with the parties to the conflict,
with the OAU, the ICRC and other relief agencies, and other donor
governments, seeking agreement upon proposals for mutually acceptable
relief routes.
RELIEF WORKERS KILLED AS OF JUNE 30, 1969
'I'here follows the dates and circumstances of the people rho were killed
while bringing food and medicines to or performing servlces for the
civilian victims of the Nigeria civil war.
July 29, 1968 - Father Malachy Riddle and Jonathan Ambache, two British
members of a relief team sponsored by Save the Children Fund, were killed
when a landrover in which they were riding was blown up by a mine.