The World: Soares: The Junta's Socialist

"If the people want independence, we are willing to accept that." So said Portugal's Socialist Foreign Minister, Mario Soares, in an interview last week with TIME'S Martha de la Cal. Seated in an ornate salon of the 18th century Palacio das Necessidades (Palace of the Necessities), Soares discussed some problems that Portugal's military government faces in extricating itself from the country's African territories. Among his points:

ON HIS GOALS OF GOVERNMENT. "We want an orderly and peaceful succession. We do not want to leave Africa to civil war and chaos."

ON A CEASEFIRE....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!