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NOTE OF A MEETING BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE NIGERIAN FEDERAL COMMISSIONER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AT 10 DOWNING STREET ON MONDAY 6 JUNE 1977 AT 2245 HOURS Present The Prime Minister Brigadier Joseph Garba Mr. P.R.H. Wright General J.O. Omolodun President Amin and the Commonwealth Heads of Government „Meeting After welcoming Brigadier Garba, and after some introductory remarks, the Prime Minister referred to his recent message to General Obasanjo in response to the concern which Brigadier Garba himself had expressed about the British Government's attitude to President Amin. He wanted to make clear to Brigadier Garba that we had followed General Obasanjofs advice, and had tried to play the whole affair quietly, and to avoid saying anything publicly in spite of very strong pressure, and unanimous resolutions, in Parliament. His own letter to President Amin had been intended as a private communication, but Brigadier Garba would know that President Amin himself had not attended the last two Commonwealth Conferences. The acting High Commission* would have told Brigadier Garba of the strength of public opinion in this country about President Amin. If he were to arrive in London, there was no doubt that there would be writs served by private citizens, and the outcry would not provide an atmosphere conducive to a successful Commonwealth Conference. We had played the affair in such a way as to protect the Commonwealth, but the Prime Minister emphasised that the decisions had been ours, and ours alone. We had no quarrel with the people of Uganda, and if a delegation were to come from Uganda to the Conference, it would be treated with all courtesies. We had however, to face the practicalities of the situation. /Brigadier Garba CONFIDENTIAL