Portugal Censured Over Angola

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 15

Portugal Censured Over Angola

NEW YORK, June 10

The United Nations Security Council last night called upon Portugal to “desist forthwith from repressive measures” in Angola, where Portuguese troops and police are battling an African rebellion.

Britain and France abstained in the vote, whale the United States voted tor the draft. which was submitted by the council's African land Asia® members—Ceylon, i Liberia and the United Arab I RcoubVc. I In a carefully-phrased staitement, the chief British delegate (Sir Patrick Dean) sougi’nit to reconcile Britain's age-old friendship for Portugal with her obligations to the new nations of Africa and Asia that have demanded stem United Nations action in AngcCa. With what was regarded as a gesture to African and Asian states. Sir Patrick Dean announced that Britain now favoured actio® by a fiveinember sub-committee set up by the General Assembly in April to look into the Angola question. The British delegation abstained when that body was created. He also said it would be bender for the Security Council not to try to judge Portugal until the committee had reported, and he urged the Portuguese to co-operate with it. Sir Patrick Dean refrained from outright criticism of Portuguese actions to meet the Angola rebellion, but he declared that the British Government and people were ''deeply distressed ... by recent events.” It was “riglht that these tragic matters should cause great concern to all member states of the United Nations,” he said. But it was one thing to feel deeply, and another to act wisely. He said plans for Angola reforms announced by the Portuguese Premier (Dr.

Antonio Salazar) marked “an important step forward,” and he urged that “proper time should be given for political, social and economic devetopmenit.” No Satisfaction There was no indication that the British statement gave any satisfaction to the Afiro-Anian States that sponsored the council's diisoussion. The language of Britain’s delegate, observers said, fell far short of that used last night by France's Mr Armand Berard. While Mr Berard did not favour the Afro-Asian resolution, he called upon Portugal in much stronger terms to bow to new conditions in Africa. The Security Council instructed its five-member commission of inquiry set up in April to “implement its mandate without delay.” Mr Vasco Garin, the chief Portuguese delegate, at once formally announced that the resolution was “illegal!” and a violation of Portuguese sovereignty. The Portuguese response to the council’s action raised a question, observers said, whether a bid might be made soon to apply sanctions against Lisbon.