WEEKLY SUMMARY PORTUGUESE GUINEA: REBELS PROCLAIM INDEPENDENCE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06954153
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2022
• Case Number: F-2018-01460
• Publication Date: October 5, 1973

Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954153
Weekly Summary
Summary
-Secret-
5 October 1973
MI 0390/73
Copy No 49
Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954153
 Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954153
(b)(3)
CONTENTS (5 October 1973)
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M DDLE EAST
AFRICA
15 Portuguese Guinea:
Rebels Proclaim Independence
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Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954153
Approved for Release: 2022/09/21 C06954153
Portuguese Guinea
REBELS PROCLAIM INDEPENDENCE
q? the anti-Portuguese rebels met inside a "lib- /5 ['There are indications that Lisbon has been
erated" area of Portuguese Guinea last week and assessing the high cost of its continued presence
declared their long-awaited independent state of in the territory. Portuguese officials told the US
"Guinea-Bissau." This political move by the insur- 7., Embassy in Lisbon last week that Lisbon had
gents will generate new international criticism of? resumed indirect probes for an accommodation
Portugal's presence in Africa, but is not likely to with the rebels. The rebel declaration, however,
bring an early settlement of the insurgency in the and the diplomatic recognition the rebels have
territory l received will make it more difficult for the Por-
tuguese to construct a political arrangement on
47 TA communique issued by the African Party their own terms.
Tor the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde
indicates that party leaders have assumed the top ,
positions in the new "government." Luiz Cabral / p Most African and a growing number of other
and Francisco Mendes, both major party figures, , nonaligned nations, as well as China and the
will serve as chief of state and head of govern- r,Soviet..Union, have recognized the rebel govern-
ment, respectively. Aristides Pereira remains in61 / mend 'International reaction will become clearer
the key post of head of the party although he &when the Africans raise the question of Guinea-
holds no government twat - 06 Bissau's status at the UN. Nigeria's General
Gowon, in his capacity as current head of the
OAU, has called a meeting of African foreign
1The independence declaration is intended to ministers in New York to coordinate a common
give the rebels an appearance of legitimacy that position at the UN in support of the rebel regime,
will enable them to gain increased foreign eco-
nomic and military assistance. The Portuguese
still control the important areas of Portuguese 5' (Portugal is accustomed to verbal abuse of its
Guinea, and the military situation is stalemated7 African policy, and argues that neither diplomatic
grerrhe insurgents, however, have improved their ie. recognition nor UN resolutions will change the
military position this year, largely through a new internal situation in Portuguese Guinea. After
1. capability�Soviet-supplied SA-7 surface-to-air O7 some delay, General Bettencourt Rodrigues has
ai missiles�to counter Portuguese air power. They arrived in Bissau to take over as the new corn-
-1 I have also made some limited gains on the ground mander in chief and governor. The general's
actions over the next few weeks may give some
indication of Portuguese intentions.
Page 15 WEEKLY SUMMARY 5 Oct 73
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