The dispute between Portugal and the UN (1960-1974)

Abstract

This article seeks to give an overall analysis of relations between Portugal and the United Nations with regard to decolonization. Portugal was admitted as a member of the UN at the end of 1995 and its stance on decolonization soon came under criticism the following year. It was only from 1961 however, with the formation of an anti-colonial majority and the beginning of the war in Angola, that the dispute between Portugal and the United Nations really began. The study distinguishes six periods in this dispute. It shows, for each of them, the strategies and alliances of both and their ability or inability to make persuasive their points of view. It shows how the UN first tried, between 1961 and 1963, to impose itself on Portugal and how, despite being isolated, Portugal resisted. From 1964 to 1967 there was a phase of escalation and impasse. After the replacement of Salazar the UN tried a more moderate approach, the failure of which led it, from 1972, to take successively more radical measures against the Portuguese policy. Finally, after the 25th of April, in spite of Portugal having recognised the right to decolonization and its duties under the Charter and under relevant resolutions, the UN played a secondary and marginal role in the Portuguese decolonization.