74. Telegram 3408 From the Embassy in Portugal to the Department of State and the Mission to the United Nations1 2

Subj:

  • Portuguese-PAIGC Agreement Reached

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Summary: GOP has agreed in principle to recognize Guinea-Bissau and transfer powers prior opening UNGA, probably September 12. Cape Verdes kept separate from Guinea-Bissau and will have right exercise self-determination through consultation with populace. GOP urges all friendly governments, specifically US, to proceed immediately to recognize Guinea-Bissau and support its admission to UN. End summary

1. Foreign Minister Mario Soares afternoon August 10 convoked Chiefs of Mission of countries represented in Lisbon which have not yet recognized Guinea-Bissau to announce results meeting August 9 in Algiers between PAIGC reps and GOP delegation consisting of Soares and Interterritorial Minister Almeida Santos. Agreement initialled in Algiers proclaims GOP agreement in principle to recognize Guinea-Bissau prior to opening of UNGA September 16, probability being that date picked will be September 12, Guinea-Bissau national day. Main reason for convoking Chiefs of Mission was that one provision of agreement calls upon Portugal to use its good offices with countries friendly to it to urge them not to impede Guinea-Bissau admission to UN but indeed to facilitate its admission. Soares therefore told assembled diplomats that Portugal urges their countries to recognize Guinea-Bissau and facilitate its admission to UN.

2. Privately, Soares confirmed to Charge that Portugal would welcome US recognition of Guinea-Bissau “immediately”, though GOP would hope US statement of recognition would make some reference to fact US acting in response to request from GOP, or at least in accordance with August 9 GOP-PAIGC agreement. When Charge noted that recognition of Guinea-Bissau might well represent first foreign policy act by new US President, Soares expressed his delight at the thought.

3. Soares told group that agreement included provision for Portuguese troops and technical personnel to be withdrawn progressively in accordance with schedule to be negotiated. Portuguese troop withdrawal would, at PAIGC request, not be completed for some time after formal transfer of powers but would remain until new government had situation stabilized. Agreement provides that present de facto cease fire become de jure.

4. Soares stated that agreement provided that people of Cape Verdes would have right to decide their own destiny through an act of self-determination which would include a consultation with the people of Cape Verde. He stressed that while GOP has undertaken to recognize Guinea-Bissau and transfer powers to the PAIGC, GOP would keep sovereignty over Cape Verdes, under UN observation, until such time as Cape Verde process of self-determination completed.

5. Soares added that GOP will support Guinea-Bissau entrance into UN but will not sponsor (apparently to avoid any appearance of continued paternalism) and it hopes that favorable UNSC decision on matter will be taken August 12 unanimously. End Limited Official Use

Begin Confidential

6. Meeting with Charge one hour before meeting with other dips, Soares said that he having some difficulty gaing acceptance agreement from President Spinola. Latter was arguing for immediate return to Portugal of all troops as soon as Portuguese flag comes down, against which Soares pointed to pratical impossibility of moving 35,000 men that fast and to fact that world has ample precedents for troops to be stationed in countries flying foreign flags. Agreement also has provision under which three formal transfer of powers ceremonies will take place simultaneously on or about September 12, one in Lisbon with top Guinea-Bissau rep present, one in Conakry at PAIGC headquarters with Soares present, and one in Bissau with Almeida Santos present. Spinola was balking at Soares presence in Conakry because of his hatred of Sekou Toure and his anxiety not to offend Senghor. However, Soares confident that Spinola will come around.

7. Soares also said GOP considered it had secured major victory for itself and for West in keeping Cape Verde separate from Guinea-Bissau. PAIGC had tried to hold out at least for Cape Verdes administration to come under joint GOP-PAIGC mixed commision but GOP delegation had been adamant and carried the day.

Post
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1974. Confidential; Flash. Repeated to Algiers, London, Paris, Moscow, Conakry, and Dakar.
  2. Ambassador Scott reported that the Government of Portugal had agreed in principle to recognize an independent Guinea-Bissau and welcomed immediate U.S. recognition of independence.