p-o. box 213 cambridge, mass, 02138

 

Sept. 2, 1970

Prof. Joshua Lederberg
Dept. of Biology
Stanford University
Stanford, Calif.

Dear Prof. Lederberg,

Recently we have received information from Angola that the
Portuegese army is using various defoliants against the anti-
Portuegese liberation movement in that country. We were requested
by the liberation movement to find out what types of defenses,
if any, could be used against defoliants. The defoliants are
dropped from airplanes and the main targets have been the millet
and cassava crops of Eastern Angola. Unfortunately, the exact type
of defoliant being used is not known but it is reasonable to assume
that it is American produced and available to Portugal through NATO
since Napalm and other arms have been procurred by Portugal through

1) the same means. In addition, toxicants have been used against
civilians and information concerning defenses for this is also
badly needed.

I am writing to you for this information because many people
have suggested that because of your work in the effects of defoliants
you would be the best person to contact. If you could tell us what
types of defenses are possible, we will certainly send that information
along to the liberation movement. The people of Angola will be very
thankful for your help.

Sincerely:
i" le Teadema

SEP 9 1970 Hubert Jepour

I suggest you contact ur. Matthew Meselson of the HNarvard Biology Dept.
with respect to defoliants. However, I am confident that there
is no technical defense once a herbicide has reached a crop.

If you can give me any documentation of any kind for "toxicants
used against civilians" I would be most concerned to see it.

Yours g&incerely,

  

Prof. Joshua Lederberg . aN
Department of Genetics rn |

School of Medicine J dD
Stanford Univorsity L/

Stanford, California 94305