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.