Britain and Biafra
Sir: We can all certainly agree that the starvation, death and misery which exists in Biafra and parts of Nigeria is the product of the continuing civil war. This war could be ended following the military victory of either side, or conceivably as a result of some sort of externally imposed solution, or through negotiation. In the current circum- stances, the latter would seem the most hopeful solution.
It can certainly be argued that the Federal side in the civil war is sustained by the military supplies and diplomatic support which it obtains from the UK. But surely it can equally be argued that the Biaf ran side is sustained materially and morally by its own overseas supporters in France, the Scandinavian countries, Portugal, some African states and powerful lobbies in the UK, US etc. One might go further and argue that external support is relatively more im- portant for Biafra than it is for Federal Nigeria; however, this would be to journey into conjecture.
If it is true that the belligerents are sustained in their war efforts by their various overseas supporters and if this sup- port is inhibiting peace negotiations, then others beside the Foreign Secretary and certain allegedly dimwitted parliamentarians must bear some responsibility for the con- tinuing misery in Biafra—perhaps even the SPECTATOR has had a small part to play. F. Taylor 98 Lupus Street, London sw I
Previous page
