Brents in Portugal's African colonies are moving almost as fast us in the home country itself.
Independence for Guine-Bissau seems more or less assured as a result of the talks in London between the Portuguese Government and re- presentatives of the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guine and Cape Verde). Now taiks on the future of Mozambique will open this week in the Zamhian capital of Lusaka.
GUINE-BISSAU It was always predictable that Guine-Bissau would be the first to achieve independence. There is no pressing economic reason for the Portuguese to hold on to it. and in the past few years they have been sorely pressed by the guerrilla forces who now control two-thirds of thie territory. The provisional government set up by the PAIGC last September has won diplomatic recognition from 1o less than k4 countries.
The only sticking point in the Portuguese Governacent's negotiations with the PAIGC which were adJourned for a week last Friday -is the Red, Weekhe question of the Cape Verde islands. The naval and air bases here are u vital African foothold for NATO, while the island of Sal serves both as u refuelling point for South African Airways - which is banned by 42 Altican states on the mainland as a relay station for the main submarine cahle from South Africa to Furthermore, while many of the PAIG's leaders are Cape Verdeans, conditions on the islands have made guerrilla activity there almost impossible. Oniy since the coup have there been some small sigus of activity -meetings and a demonstration-in support of the liberation movement.
It secues, therefore, that in return for Portuguese withdrawal frontbe mainland the PAIG may be forced to shelve its demand for immediate independence for the Cape Verde islands, Of course there are Toices in the Portuguese Government-the Communist and Socialist ministerswho nominally scand for independesce and could intervene to change the situation. But there can be no doubt that in this sphere-as in others- they will prefer to howto imperialist interests and shrug aside the elemen.
They will then have to confront the problem of Mozambique, however, and where FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) has forced the repime to the nepotiating table while continuing the arined struggle military junta engaged in a series of manoeuvres to weaken FRELIMO's position. First of all they tried to persuade FRELIMO to lay down its icul role, a referendum, and so on.
mine its position by promoting various 'moderate groups. Finally, they decided to try a dose of the old methods again, and banned groups and individuals from expressing any support for the rebels while the struggle continued.
IMO went on fighting, reiecting the idea of 'democratic colonialism" and declaring chat the right to independence was not negotiable. And in sn tary duties of international solidarity. bique's future.
MOZAMBIQUE In the wooks after the coup the FRELIMO:
arms in retura for promises of a politAt the same time they tried to underBut none of this worked. FRELdoing it acted as a remarkable pole of (tel: 01-734 9541) attraction in the debate over MozamThe moment of truth came for the Portuguese Government when tic "moderate groups it had encouraged notably GUMO and MODEMO started declaring their support for FRELIMO. Even a white settler group, not so good. The liberation move FICO (I stay"), which was formed to oppose independence, was reported To have come round to supporting an independent lederation or states in Mozambique, cmpbasising that 'we are not interested in fighting The Portuguese Government thus struggle had little option but to go to the Total independence from Portugal now Solidarity with the Portuguese people Assemble 2.00 pm Speakers Corner, march to Trafalgar Square. Speakers from FRELIMO, British labour movement, and Portuguese trade unionist Jointly arganised by Committee for Freedom it Mozambique, Angola and Guine, and Portugue Workery Coordinating Committee.
Information and publicity from: 12/13 Lintie Nawport Street, London WC2 7JJ -negotiating table on the guerrillas terms — not to discuss whether there should be independence, but simply to decide the actual mechanisms by - which it will be achieved.
ANGOLA In Angola, however, the situation is ments are badly divided. And while most of the political prisoners have been released, the commander-in-chief in Angola, General Franco Pinheiro, has banned all propaganda on behalf of the liberation movements 'uncil they renounce the armed There are no less than three major
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NURSES: Red Weekly
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DEMONSTRATE - Sunday 16 June Full support to the African liberation movements-FRELIMO, MPLA, PAIGC