We saw how the initiative of FRELIMO is
constant on two fronts: the front of the
armed struggle, which is expanding and
reaching new zones (while we were there
FRELIMO had announced successful military operations in the Province of Manica
e Sofala); and the front of reconstruction,
for a new nation free from all vestiges of
colonialism.
FRELIMO pays particular attention to the
literacy campaign. We saw in the bush
many schools at work, although in a
simple way and with a great lack of education material. While in Tanzania, on
our way back, we visited the FRELIMO
Secondary school in Bagamoyo and were
greatly impressed by the engagement and
determination of the students.
In the field of health assistance for the
people, FRELIMO is taking very important steps. Every locality has its own
health units for treatment of the people.
Of course, we saw also the great difficulties which exist - lack of doctors,
nurses and medicines, great distances, the
shoulders the only means of transportation.
The Mozambican women have assumed
a new role in the construction of the new
society. We saw that not only do they
participate in the armed struggle, but
they have also undertaken responsibilities in the schools and hospitals - which
would have been unthinkable in the
colonial times.
Our delegation is now certain that FRELIMO embodies the deep aspirations of
the masses towards freedom and independence; against racialism and exploitation; for the attainment of better
living conditions of the whole people of
Mozambique. The strength of FRELIMO derives from its capacity to link
with the masses and from the internationalist nature of its struggle. After
some weeks living with FRELIMO we
learnt that everybody is aware that the
struggle will be hard and protracted, and
that its success does not depend only on
a military victory, but also on the political solidarity of the peoples of Africa,
of the socialist countries and of the
workers of the whole world. We could
tell much more about our trip, but these
are in short some of the experiences we
lived.
Back in Italy, we shall continue to consolidate relations with FRELIMO and
develop the campaign to make our whole
people aware of the situation in Mozambique, so that side by side with the
Vietnam solidarity movement, the solidarity with FRELIMO will grow for the
liberation of Mozambique and for the
liberation of the whole of Africa.
A SOLDIER ESCAPES
FROM CAETANO'S WAR
3SV3SR
Carlos Maltes, deserter from the Portuguese army, among FRELIMO fighters
«I was conscripted on the 4th of May,
1969. I finished my basic training on the
20th of July. From August 1st to 29th
I was given special training on firing
mortars. On the 30th December, 1969
I was sent to Mozambique. I came in a
special troop transport plane and arrived
in Beira on the 1st January, 1970.
I spent 3 months in Beira, serving at the
General Headquarters. Then my Company was dispersed: some went to
Lourenco Marques, others to Tete, Niassa
or Cabo Delgado. I was posted at Mueda,
Cabo Delgado, joining a Company which
was already there but which had been
greatly reduced owing to the many losses
it had suffered in combat - company No.
33.
1 was in Mueda for 2 years. 1 never took
part in battles, as my work was in the
Headquarters Garage, repairing vehicles.
After 2 years, when I was expecting to
return to Portugal, I was informed that,
for disciplinary reasons, I had to spend
2 more years in Mozambique, and that I
was to be transferred to another post in
the bush. I was also informed that the
reason for this disciplinary action was that
Last August, a Portuguese soldier, corporal No. 119443 69 Carlos Manuel Maltes, deserted from the colonial army in
Cabo Delgado Province and sought the
protection of FRELIMO. He was born
in Aveiro, Portugal, is 24 years old,
studied up to 4th class primary school,
and is a mechanic by occupation. He is
married with two children and his parents
are peasants. Interviewed by a member
of the FRELIMO Information Department, Carlos Maltes   said the following:
one day I had been seen by the Company
Commander drinking beer without permission. I got very angry and very worried.
I had thought myself already safe, after
the 2 year period without fighting. The
idea of spending two more years in a
zone of intensive war demoralised me
completely, particularly because while in
Mueda, I had already heard that the
Namatil post to which I was to be sent
was being constantly attacked by FRELIMO 'terrorists'. The last thing I had
heard was of an attack in July this year,
17