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former Chief Justice of the Eastern Region, Sir Louis Mbanefu, had
recently been in London and seen unofficially a member of the Commonwealth
Office. He had taken the line that the Eastern Region could only agree to
talks on the basis that their independence was recognised; whereas the
Federal Government insisted as a prior condition of talks that it should not
be recognised.
In discussion the following points were made
(a) There was general acceptance in the rest of Africa of our arms policy towards Nigeria. A recent report of a statement by our High Commissioner
in which he was said to have affirmed our full support for the Federation had
misquoted him. The statement, which had been interpreted as a promise of
unlimited arms supplies for the Federal Government had caused an outcry in
the East.
(b) The African members of the Commonwealth generally supported our policy
and would be strongly opposed to any policy of support for the secessionist
regime in the East.
Summing up the discussion, THE PRIME MINISTER said that there was
general agreement with the views expressed by the Minister of State for
Commonwealth Affairs. We could not afford to antagonise the Federal
Government in view of the possible repercussions on British subjects in
Federal-controlled territory. On the other hand, a military victory for
either side was unlikely; and it was therefore in our interest to support
any move towards a peace settlement which offered the prospect of success.
The Committee endorsed the arms policy proposed by the Minister of State
for Commonwealth Affairs.
The Committee
Took note, with approval, of the Prime Minister's summing up
of their discussion.
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