Transcript of the Conversation between N.S. Khrushchev and Chief of Economic Mission of the Federation of Nigeria, Okotie-Eboh

[Handwritten: “Disseminated”] 

TRANSCRIPT OF THE CONVERSATION

between N.S. Khrushchev and Chief of Economic Mission of the Federation of Nigeria, Okotie-Eboh

9 June 1961[*]

From the Soviet side, the meeting was attended by comrades S.A. Borisov, S.A. Skachkov, Yu.A. Vislousov (interpreter); from the Nigerian side – Messrs. Dipcharima, Obande, Barshar, Maliki.

N.S. Khrushchev expressed his pleasure in welcoming the representatives of the young African state – the Federation of Nigeria – to the Soviet Union. He pointed out that the Soviet Union had gone through a harsh school of struggle for freedom and economic independence and, therefore, sympathized with the aspirations of African states to ensure their complete political and economic independence. The Soviet Union is continuously fighting for the complete and speedy elimination of the colonial system.

N.S. Khrushchev then spoke about the rapid development of the Soviet Union's economy and the successes achieved in implementing the seven-year plan. In a meeting held in Vienna, N.S. Khrushchev said President Kennedy, at the very beginning of the talks, had acknowledged that the USSR and the USA were the two most powerful countries in the world. This was nice to hear, as previously, Americans only considered the United States a powerful country.

Okotie-Eboh delivered greetings from the Prime Minister of Nigeria Balewa to N.S. Khrushchev and invited him to visit Nigeria.

N.S. Khrushchev thanked for the invitation and said that he would gladly accept it and that it would be possible to make a special arrangement about the time of the trip to Nigeria. N.S. Khrushchev also mentioned that he had pleasant conversations with Prime Minister Balewa in New York.

Okotie-Eboh stated that the Nigerian delegation considers his and his companions’ trip to the Soviet Union to be of great importance. He emphasized that this is not only an economic mission but also a mission of goodwill and friendship. The Nigerian government's decision to send this delegation to the Soviet Union 8 months after Nigeria's Independence declaration speaks of a great desire to trade with the USSR and an intention to remove the barriers that impede this trade. He further stated that Nigeria requires technical and economic assistance, access to credit, development of industrial enterprises, the establishment of educational centers, and training of Nigerian students in the USSR and Soviet teachers in Nigeria. The main provisions related to these issues have been transferred to Soviet organizations, and Okotie-Eboh hopes to establish a fundamental agreement and lay the foundation for the establishment of economic and trade relations during his visit to the USSR.

N.S. Khrushchev stated that the Soviet government is ready to establish a trade relationship with Nigeria based on mutual benefits. The Soviet Union could purchase goods such as rubber, tin, cotton, palm oil, peanuts, and other products from Nigeria, and in return sell industrial equipment and other necessary goods that Nigeria requires, and provide technical and economic assistance. The Soviet Union is building its relationships with other nations based on equality and mutual benefit, without providing any special privileges to anyone or seeking any privileges for themselves.

N.S. Khrushchev stated that the United States also assists economically underdeveloped countries, but they only do so because the Soviet Union provides economic and technical assistance. The key difference between the economic aid provided by the Soviet Union and capitalist countries is that the Soviet Union does not tie its assistance to any political concessions.

N.S. Khrushchev said that the Soviet Union could send a group of Soviet specialists to Nigeria who, together with Nigerian specialists, would study specific issues of providing technical assistance in areas where opportunities exist.

The Soviet Union is also prepared to establish cultural relations with Nigeria and to receive Nigerian students for training.

Okotie-Eboh said they understand that without economic independence there can be no true political independence. He further expressed the hope that the strengthening of trade and economic relations between Nigeria and the USSR will promote peaceful coexistence.

At the end of the conversation, Okotie-Eboh once again thanked for the hospitality shown to him and his companions in the Soviet Union and for the high honor that Khrushchev showed them by receiving them.

This ended the conversation.

The conversation was recorded by Yu. Vislousov.