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CONFIDENTIAL uid Commonwealth Office mdon SW1A 2AH 22 June 1977 Nigeria and Ugan During his meeting with Dr Owen on 13 June, Brigadier Garba suggested that a further message should be sent to General Obasanjo telling him how the issue of President Amin's attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting had developed and what position the British Government had finally adopted on it. It was clear that the point Brigadier Garba was trying to get over was that Nigeria was now a major, if not the major, power in black Africa and that she should be informed and consulted about matters of interest to her. Dr Owen believes that we should respond to Brigadier Garba1s request. We should not go into further detail abottt President Amin since this would only revive a contentious issue and because the question was covered pretty fully both in the Prime Minister's meeting with Brigadier Garba and in his subsequent meeting with Brigadier Yar'Adu. We should, however, get across the fact that we intend to keep in close touch with the Nigerians about matters of mutual interest. I enclose a draft message on these lines and would be grateful to know if the Prime Minister agrees to its despatch. J S Wall Private Secretary P.R.H. Wright Esq., 10 Downing Street, London SWl. CONFIDENTIAL