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Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to the White House Situation Room, Washington, January 14, 1970, 2026Z

US Government State Department

Abstract


Washington, January 14, 1970, 2026Z

Director of Central Intelligence Helms forwarded an intelligence report that he believed showed “such cynicism on the part of the French" that Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kissinger might want to bring it to the attention of the President. The report stated that there were no plans at present for French support to Biafran guerrilla resistance. The rationale, it was reported, was that the French supported Biafra because of oil, not the Ibo revolution.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I. Secret; Noforn Dissem; Controlled Dissem. The telegram was forwarded to Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Haig by his secretary under cover of a January 14 memorandum which stated that DCI Helms had called and left the following message for Haig: “It seems to me that this item, although raw intelligence, shows such cynicism on the part of the French, Dr. Kissinger might want to bring it to the attention of the President.”

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Biafran War Database.
Editor: Azuka Nzegwu.

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