CENPA-028~09 |
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Portuguese government and that as over 40% of the Portuguese budget goes on defense Almost half this tax money is used to help finance the army in Africa. Just one example: the British Sena Sugar Estate paid £532,020 in tax during 1966. Could EFTA do anything to mitigate the effects of', this aid it channels into Portugal? Again the two points of view on this are illustrated by the exerpt from the Swedish debate.Mr. Almark argues strongly that at the very least the question could be raised in the EFTA council, while Mr. Lange is adamant that it is not the business of EFTA to discuss or to take action on the colonial policy of a Member State. There are several points to be made about this. First, as EFTA is concerned with econcmic development, the use' of resources, whether they are used productively or squandered on unnecessary war, does come within the EFTA field of action. Secondly, although it is true that the constitution of EFTA does not allow for the expulsion of any member, there is nothing to prevent the question being raised and discussed: the economic dependence of Portugal on EFTA is such that a firm statement by EFTA that the war was contrary to the aims of the organisation, would certainly have some influence with Portugal. Thridly it would be quite possible for each individual member voluntarily to linit her activities in Portugal until such time as Portugal diverts her enormous military expenditure to more constructive purposes. The EFTA countries not only do share some responsibility for what is going on in "Portuguese". Africa, but also they are in a position to take some action, both individually and through EFTA, which could make a contribution towards ending the wars, and the fascist regime which made them necessary.However the governments of EFTA countries are clearly not interested in making this effort for world peace. Mr. Lange's arguments are typical of the attitude being taken by these governments. EFTA includes the Scandinavian countries and Switzerland, which have succeeeded in acquiring a reputation as champions of peace and democracy." Now, if they wish to retain this reputation in the face of increased international concern for Africa, they will have to come up with a significant change of policy and start to put pressure on Britain, their powerful and more openly reactionay partner. The contradiction between the Scandinavian image, and actual government policy is daily becoming ciore blatenti Sources .•;•.;. The Financial Times Diario de Mocambique The Portuguese and Colonial Bulletin Convention Establishing the European Free Tcade Association The official record of the Swedish Parliament. United Nations trade statistics.
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Title | CENPA-028~09 |
Filename | CENPA-028~09.tiff |
Full text | Portuguese government and that as over 40% of the Portuguese budget goes on defense Almost half this tax money is used to help finance the army in Africa. Just one example: the British Sena Sugar Estate paid £532,020 in tax during 1966. Could EFTA do anything to mitigate the effects of', this aid it channels into Portugal? Again the two points of view on this are illustrated by the exerpt from the Swedish debate.Mr. Almark argues strongly that at the very least the question could be raised in the EFTA council, while Mr. Lange is adamant that it is not the business of EFTA to discuss or to take action on the colonial policy of a Member State. There are several points to be made about this. First, as EFTA is concerned with econcmic development, the use' of resources, whether they are used productively or squandered on unnecessary war, does come within the EFTA field of action. Secondly, although it is true that the constitution of EFTA does not allow for the expulsion of any member, there is nothing to prevent the question being raised and discussed: the economic dependence of Portugal on EFTA is such that a firm statement by EFTA that the war was contrary to the aims of the organisation, would certainly have some influence with Portugal. Thridly it would be quite possible for each individual member voluntarily to linit her activities in Portugal until such time as Portugal diverts her enormous military expenditure to more constructive purposes. The EFTA countries not only do share some responsibility for what is going on in "Portuguese". Africa, but also they are in a position to take some action, both individually and through EFTA, which could make a contribution towards ending the wars, and the fascist regime which made them necessary.However the governments of EFTA countries are clearly not interested in making this effort for world peace. Mr. Lange's arguments are typical of the attitude being taken by these governments. EFTA includes the Scandinavian countries and Switzerland, which have succeeeded in acquiring a reputation as champions of peace and democracy." Now, if they wish to retain this reputation in the face of increased international concern for Africa, they will have to come up with a significant change of policy and start to put pressure on Britain, their powerful and more openly reactionay partner. The contradiction between the Scandinavian image, and actual government policy is daily becoming ciore blatenti Sources .•;•.;. The Financial Times Diario de Mocambique The Portuguese and Colonial Bulletin Convention Establishing the European Free Tcade Association The official record of the Swedish Parliament. United Nations trade statistics. |
Archival file | Volume3/CENPA-028~09.tiff |