_ most By JONAS ARTABAN Tribune Correspondent LISBON — The Tribune was able to meet with Aurelio do Avante, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Portugal. (PCP), in the Lisbon headquarters of the PCP, on the morning of August 6. The atmosphere was pressed but friendly, and the interview cov- ered a wide range of subjects in the 50 minutes generously made available. Beginning with international matters, Aurelio do Avante stated unequivocally that the important international problem facing the PCP is the colonial question, especially in Angola and Mozambique. A Rho- desian-type UDI did not appear possible because of the position of the Armed Forces Movement in the Portuguese army, but there are major difficulties such as racial provocations being created by white racists in the colonies. The actual negotiations on the colonies are proceeding with cooperation between the Provisional Government and the armed forces, though at times there has been direct interven- tion by President Spinola. Cape Verde Islands On the issue of the strategi- cally . significant Cape Verde Islands, the independence posi- tion of PAIGC is accepted by the Portuguese Communists. Un- fortunately, the political situa- tion inside the Islands them- selves is not as advanced as on the mainland. As well, there are differences in the Provisional Government on the resolution of the issue. But at present the question remains open. More- over, an important statement of the Provisional Government dur- ing the Waldheim visit recog- nized the possibility of indepen- dence. The Provisional Govern- ment accepts the need for furth- er discussion, and ‘does not see the issue as urgent, relative to other colonial matters. NATO Membership On the NATO question, the Provisional Government sup- ports continued membership for the time being. Of the five con-~ stituent parts of the Provisional Government, the PCP is the only party actively advocating with- drawal, although the Socialists have some sympathies in this direction. (In theory, at least, the Socialists would probably con- cede that the socialist bloc is an anti-imperialist group.) The final position of the Provi- sional Government on NATO is of vital interest for the Portu- guese people because of the pos- The new Communist Party headquarters in Lisbon. sibility of foreign military inter- vention. Aurelio do- Avante commented, -though, that detente makes it difficult for imperialism to intervene directly. At the moment there is a U.S. air base in the Azores, but no NATO troops in Portugal. The Provisional Government is participating in the European Security Conference (as were the fascists), but supporting a policy of detente. Aurelio do Avante was con- scious of the impact of the three months of progressive movement in Portugal on other countries. He thought that the experience of Portugal was studied, for in- stance, in Greece. However, the effect of the change of direction in Portugal was felt in a general way; he believed that there were no direct or narrowly de- fineable connections involved. Monopoly’s Tactics At the present time the most serious attacks by imperialism PACIFIC TRIBUNE—FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1974—PAGE 6 are directed towards breaking the unity of the democratic forces and the forces of the army. Imperialist agents are pre- .Sent in Portugal adapting’ their approach to the new situation. Aurelio do Avante noted that the general lack of a state appartus to repress subversive activities and the fluidity of the situation allows these anti-democratic forces certain opportunities to carry out their directions. International imperialism also works in close collaboration with the Portuguese monopolies in efforts to create economic deprivation and chaos. It is hoped by right-wing forces that the sabotage of the Portuguese economy will halt democratic ad- vance and open the way for a return to power of the right- wing. Aurelio do Avante re- marked that the Portuguese economy has a very “fragile” character and, hence, is more open to monopoly sabotage. He made clear that this vulnerabi- lity is primarily a result of decades of fascist dictatorship and dependence on foreign as well as domestic monopolies. Some covert forms of sabo- tage have already been émployed by the monopolies. Recently, the banks have been making it more difficult for Portuguese emigrant workers to send money back to Portugal. (Given Portugal’s chro- nic deficit in trade, these remit- tances have been important in rectifying Portugal's balance of Payments.) Another case is the monopolies’ continuing threats and practice of curtailing invest- ment in Portugal, thereby aggra- vating the unemployment situa- tion. Foreign Relations On relations with the socialist countries Aurelio do Avante wel- comed recognition of the USSR. The PCP considers it a high pri- ority to have rapid development of relations with the USSR and the other socialist countries. Aurelio do Avante stated there was no relation of the Chinese Government to the Provisional Government, and to his knowl- edge, no approaches from China had broken the “great silence”. In general, the greatest threat to the Portuguese democratic movement is the. continuing pre- sence of many fascist elements in positions of power. They are most noticeable in their efforts to sabotage particular moves in the developing process of demo- cratization. The PCP recognizes that fascism will not be elimin- ated until its material base, monopoly capital, is eliminated. The PCP continues to struggle for democratization and the re- moval of fascists, and urges the defense of gains against fascism. The position of the Roman Catholic Church in Portugal poses no major problem at the The streets of Lisbon the day of the coup: la — 4 present time. Mass action of a tise democratic and progress of forces both within and ouls | Mh the Church has contributet’ Own disengaging the Church 1 dict fascism. The currently rece i | caus ed policy of the Church is hen participation in politics. Th h | ty opposes those who would la teri a struggle against the C. toro Maoist Influence Small ‘ ns “The influence of Maoism he bo Portugal is very small. hee demagogy is present, but 0 an 0 ized Maoism, ‘in particular, ve mm » the ultra-left, in general, all little mass men a ; among the working Cia5* 4, greatest danger of the ultra ists is that they can pro 08 pretext for right-wing move sion of the democratic ment, e Within the trade union i ment: being organized in PCP Nin gal, the policies of se fend | Cy emphasize the need to a Lt and strengthen the one » Pott | Ney trade union movement. Th ov | Vhj tuguese trade union centre, et ang has no membership in any nit | 1} national trade union OfB4 4 the tion as this would laste we |G split in the trade union p # eg ment. However, _ the inter by, encouraging increased with all | cn, tional union contacts Wo” 8 countries. : th | ang On the national elections Ms ; ed for in the Armed med 101 | a, Movement program (plan! ng | a year after. their ee © |, power), Aurelio do Ava if ‘ marked that there wel cing th more immediate and P enti” et matters occupying the alt® od Be of the PCP. The election ; the ia “far away”; in fact, eV°" je ing Provisional Government $ reed! | any toral law was not yet nave # | However, the PCP does 3 lee x general policy towards ort te’ tions which is to try t© apo very large democratic e (rte SF gressive ‘political alliane sian . is PCP distinguishes the 4 f nt vig policy from the ‘unit tee concept.) With Thanks Canadians use tip In his closing remark) ‘japh t lio do Avante wishe we the “api the workers of Canada nst me help in the struggle ren Cos i cism. He also thanked da, ir munist Party of Cana fre" he drew attention to the wretwe, Stuy ternal relations existing of me the PCP and the ‘ontinu f future, he hoped for © intel assistance in combatting yg? national threats to Por evel”? democracy, and for e€ tual ment of contacts an eoples lations between the P Canada and Portugal.