Annotations for Countries: Libya

The British weekly Latin America reports that the recent coup in Portugal has helped resolve some policy differences between Portugal and Brazil. Portugal and Brazil had previously split on the issue of African colonialism. Barely 24 hours after General António de Spínola's coup in Portugal, Brazil recognized the new Portuguese government. Brazil's quick recognition of General Spínola reflects her basic agreement with the new Portuguese colonial policy. Unlike his predecessor, Portugal's new leader seeks a political rather than a military solution to the wars in Portugal's African colonies. Brazil has urged such a political settlement on Portugal for some time. 

Latin America mentions two reasons for Brazil's advocacy of a peaceful solution in Africa. First, a mission of high-ranking Brazilian military officers visited the Portuguese colonies in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde towards the end of 1972. The Brazilian officers concluded that no military victory was possible for the Portuguese troops against the independence movements. The second reason Brazil supports a political solution in Africa stems from her need of African markets and natural resources.

When the oil crisis hit, the Brazilians became anxious to secure oil agreements with Nigeria and Libya. The Brazilians feared a possible African and Arabian oil boycott if Brazil continued to support Portugal's African colonial policy. To guarantee herself oil sources, Brazil repudiated African colonialism earlier this year. It could well be that Brazil's policy shift actually helped to precipitate the Portuguese political crisis. This from the British Weekly Latin America. 

The British weekly Latin America reports that the recent coup in Portugal has helped resolve some policy differences between Portugal and Brazil. Portugal and Brazil had previously split on the issue of African colonialism. Barely 24 hours after General António de Spínola's coup in Portugal, Brazil recognized the new Portuguese government. Brazil's quick recognition of General Spínola reflects her basic agreement with the new Portuguese colonial policy. Unlike his predecessor, Portugal's new leader seeks a political rather than a military solution to the wars in Portugal's African colonies. Brazil has urged such a political settlement on Portugal for some time. 

Latin America mentions two reasons for Brazil's advocacy of a peaceful solution in Africa. First, a mission of high-ranking Brazilian military officers visited the Portuguese colonies in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde towards the end of 1972. The Brazilian officers concluded that no military victory was possible for the Portuguese troops against the independence movements. The second reason Brazil supports a political solution in Africa stems from her need of African markets and natural resources.

When the oil crisis hit, the Brazilians became anxious to secure oil agreements with Nigeria and Libya. The Brazilians feared a possible African and Arabian oil boycott if Brazil continued to support Portugal's African colonial policy. To guarantee herself oil sources, Brazil repudiated African colonialism earlier this year. It could well be that Brazil's policy shift actually helped to precipitate the Portuguese political crisis. This from the British Weekly Latin America.