AIRPORT; AHIDJO GREETING GOWON; PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE; GOWON AT DINNER.




Initials JP/VS/CT/OS



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Background: THE NIGERIAN FEDERAL MILITARY RULER, MAJOR-GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON, PAID A LIGHTNING VISIT TO THE NEIGHBOURING STATE OF CAMEROUN YESTERDAY (MONDAY).

GENERAL GOWON AND HIS HOST, PRESIDENT AHMADOU AHIDJO, DISCUSSED VARIOUS TOPICS DURING THE TWO AND A HALF HOUR FLYING VISIT.

THE TWO HEADS OF STATE MET AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL, YAOUNDE. THE MAIN TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR. BUT AN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE WAS CONFINED TO A STATEMENT THAT GENERAL GOWON'S VISIT WAS ONE OF FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS.

GENERAL GOWON WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A LARGE PARTY INCLUDING THE HEAD OF THE NAVY, REAR-ADMIRAL J. WEY, THE SOUTH EASTERN STATE GOVERNOR, COLONEL UDO ESUENE, AND FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS. THE GENERAL HAS RECENTLY VISITED TOGO AND CHAD IN WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS "MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR" VISITS.