CONFIDENTIAL
- 3
BACKGROUND
Visit by President Eanes
5. In March, the Portuguese accepted in principle an
invitation for President Eanes to visit the UK as guest
of the British Government but indicated that timing (ie UK
ideas of a visit in 1977) might be difficult.
The
President's wife, who would normally accompany him, is
expecting a baby about October. Dr Ferreira also expressed
considerable concern about the level of treatment compared
with visitors under the old regime.
6. The Prime Minister agreed that the Palace might be
approached about a State Visit in autumn 1978 (President
Ceausescu is coming in June). He told Dr Soares in April
that he hoped the President would come in 1977 (ie as the guest
of the British Government) but when President Eanes came for
the NATO meeting in May the Prime Minister said he would try
to facilitate a State Visit in 1978. President Eanes said
that he fully understood the difficulties about a State Visit
in 1977; provided there were no unforeseen circumstances, he
would like to take up the offer of a State Visit in 1978.
The Royal Visits Committee is meeting on 27 June to discuss
this and other visits. As things stand, there is no vacant
slot for an inward State Visit before autumn 1978; there is
a vacant slot in October/November 1978 but the Palace were
not anxious to fill it prematurely.
CONFIDENTIAL
/Other