BIAFRA: Chief Akpan Bassey Press Interview In London

The following is an abstract from ITN on Chief Akpan Bassey's Interview with the press conducted August 31, 1967, in London, England, asking Britain to be mediator in peace talks with the Nigerian federal government.


Lead in Q: Who would you like to act as mediator?

Akpan Bassey: Well, I have every confidence that Britain could be a possible mediator, failing that America....

Q: But you've accused the British of siding with the Federal Nigerian Government, can you expect her to mediate in these conditions?

Akpan Bassey: It is not too late for Britain to withdraw and then to come in with us, we still have confidence in Britain and that Britain can still track back what has happened in the past, we are prepared to allow it, and then go on with the....

Q: But you have said that Britain has sold arms to the Federal Nigerian Government, does this accusation still stand?

Akpan Bassey: It is not a matter of - it is true, it is a fact that Britain sold arms, and they've admitted that by representative from Whitehall. So it is a fact. But not withstanding the fact that they've sold arms, we've asked them to stop now and talk about mediation.

Q: Now presumably Biafra has also been able to get arms from somewhere, can you say from where?

Akpan Bassey: We do a lot of local manufacture, we make our own bombs, we make our own rockets and we make our rifles.