International records / Foreign Relations of the United States

174. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs ( Brzezinski ) to President Carter

ngness to consider Smith ’s offer. In part this interpretation is traceable to Owen ’s rather positive comments on the Smith statement in contrast to our own statement which was more guarded. We are making clear to the press, the Front Line, and the Nigerians our misgivings about Smith ’s offer and our will to press on with our proposal. Without going so far as to appear to reject Smith ’s movement towards one-man, one-vote, or to relieve the pressure on the Patriotic Front we are emphasizing the importance of elections open to all, and of avoiding a civil war. We have now reviewed the current…