Portuguese Pleasure
The Portuguese Foreign Office is enjoying it- self, It has been a long time since it was asked a favour by the British. but not so long since the ,Portuguese asked a favour themselves --and were turned down. Britain's refusal to allow them to use British staging posts at the time of the Indian seizure of Goa is not forgotten: neither is the constant British criticism of Portuguese policy in Africa. How delightful, then, for them to be threatened and cajoled over the affair of the Rhodesian envoy to Lisbon! 'Surely,' they say with supreme. nochalance, 'that is a matter for you and the Rhodesians to decide. The effect an the African Commonwealth? Well, just when have you considered the effect of your actions on Portugal? And this envoy: wasn't the inten- tion to appoint someone announced in the Rho- desian Speech from the Throne? Aren't you a little late in waking up.to it and doesn't someone approve the Speech from the Throne?' They are -in a strong position and they know it. However, Portugal does not want a unilateral declaration of Rhodesian independence any more than we du. The Portuguese have a vision which will seem to some absurd of a peaceful, prosperous, well-ordered Africa stretching all the way south from Congo Leopoldville. They believe that it will ,include even Zambia once the Zambians come to accept the Portuguese doctrine of non- interference in the internal affairs of another slate. The repercussions of a UDI could soon put a stop to all such hopes. It is this threat which will bring the Portuguese round. All others, like the withdrawal of the British ambassador from Lisbon. seem irrelevant and even absurd. They will not hurt the Portuguese, but they will amuse them.
Previous page
