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Nigeria and Biafra: correspondence, 1969

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/FEBR 3/50

Scope and Contents

Correspondence on attempts to end the civil war between NIgeria and Biafra and bring famine relief for Biafra, arising from AFB's role as Chairman of the Committee for Peace in Nigeria. Correspondents include: Harold Hanbury, congratulating AFB and James Griffiths on visiting both Chukwuemeka Ojukwu [President of Biafra] and the Nigerian Government and on an open letter sent by AFB and others to Ojukwu and General Yakubu Gowon [Nigerian Head of State], and also on the Labour Party's resolution condemning the Government's arms sales to Nigeria (2); Sir James Robertson [former Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Federation of Nigeria] on his admiration for AFB's peace-making efforts; Dame Margery Perham, congratulating AFB on his visit; 4th Lord Lytton [earlier Lord Knebworth] on his view that AFB was a pan-African, asking where he stood on imperialism and self-determination for Biafra (3); Auberon Waugh on the Medical Aid for Biafra appeal; Bertrand Russell (3rd Lord Russell) on Operation Outrage; Frank Allaun on subjects including his agreement with AFB's idea for a NATO conference (2); [John] Gwyn Morgan, Assistant General Secretary of the Labour Party; Lord Willis on the Government's failed policy on Nigeria, and his anger that any criticism was labelled as being partisan; James Griffiths on his admiration for a speech by AFB on Biafra [? in the House of Lords], February 1969 and the effect of the press reports by Winston Churchill on the crisis (2); Peter Cadogan [Founding Secretary of the Save Biafra Campaign] on lobbying for the Biafra debate in the House of Lords, February 1969; Tom McNally, Labour Party Overseas Department on formal actions to be taken over Biafra; Reginald Prentice, Minister of Overseas Development; Winifred Ewing on visits by women MPs to Biafra (2); U Thant, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Bruce Kent; Winston Churchill on the United Action for Nigeria/Biafra appeal.

Also includes: a letter from Clifford Haigh, Editor of the Friend, asking for a tribute to Stephen Thorne, AFB's fellow conscientious objector; draft UNICEF memorandum on plans for a settlement of the Nigerian crisis; notes of an interview with David Fleming, a Director of Rolls Royce and former Director of Shell Oil, on the oil companies' position on Nigeria and Biafra.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Extent

2 file(s)

Other Finding Aids

Former reference: box 46 #219a

Repository Details

Part of the Churchill Archives Centre Repository

Contact:
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 0DS United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 336087