It is known for example that it was the fear of
public opinion, the only reason which prevented Wilson
from sending troops to Vietnam. The British people
therefore can force Wilson to change his position
towards the colonial policy of Portgual - although we
are aware that that change could not be significant,.
at least in the near future, nor would it affect the
imperialist basic principles of the relations between
the 2 countries.
The conclusions of this visit were:-
There is very little knowledge of the Portuguese
territories in England, but with an increasing awareness
that the problem of Southern Africa must be treated as
a whole there is now more interest. Therefore, although
there is very little hope of change at governmental
level, the people are ready to support FRELIMO, particularly while the government is so weak on the Rhodesian problem. It is worth maintaining contacts with the
progressive movements and trying to improve them among
politicians and the public at large. Politicians to
influence the government and the public to persuade
them that Portugal will eventually collapse and Mozambique become independent; therefore, it is not a good
idea to support Portugal.
"....At the United Nations Britain has consistently opposed any move to condemn the Portuguese regime. It has
sided in this with a regime such as that of South African
Britain is Portugal's best customer. British invest-
jments in Portugal have been growing. A recent big British loan worth 50,000,000 Pounds was granted to the
Portuguese Steel Industry and for iron mining, which
are vital for Salazar's colonial wars, Britain is a
partner of Portugal in NATO, and NATO has provided plenty of military equipment and know-how for the Portuguese
army, v/ithout which the fascist regime could not last
at home or in the colonies.
Britain must stop giving economic support to the
Salazar regime by her investments which profit from
cheap Portuguese or African labour. Britain must stop
her support of Portuguese policies at the United
Nations. Britain must refuse to have P0rtugal as her
partner in NATO. The British people can democratically
force their government to take this course of actionc"
From:"Portuguese and Colonial Bull"
January, 1968.
V- -.  - .
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