Caritas standing in for Red Cross

FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ".ED CROSS relief operations in Biafra have been taken over by Caritas, the Catholic relief organisation. and the World Council of Churches, while Red Cross flights are banned from Nigeria. About 200 feeding centres have already been .saved from being closed.
General Ojukwu, the Biafran leader, blamed the United States for the breakdown of negotiations with the International Red Cross for the resumption of Red Cross relief flights into Biafra.
"Washington is trying to push us into a position of wrong, trying to help Nigeria and Britain neutralise Biafra's air potential."
He told a Press conference in Owerrie that he saw little prospect for peace negotiations to end the war with Nigeria, and predicted the conflict might well be settled on the 'battlefield with a Biafran victory within six months.
Nigerian Federal Air Force MiGs are making rocket and canon attacks on front-line areas and strategic targets in daily raids on Biafra. The Biafran Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Philip Effiong, said: "I saw a Canberra at Own in the earlier stages of the fighting. I am sure it was a Canberra."
BRITISH DENIALS The British Government has always denied that British bombers or bombs have been used in the raids on Biafra. Service chiefs in Owerri point out that Canberras may have ben supplied by countries outside Britain. Such deals are subject to military agreement between 'Britain and countries concerned.
General Ojukwu said Biafra was prepared to have economic links with Nigeria and the free movement of civilians. There were many other subjects which could be of mutual advantage to both sides.