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GV EXTERIOR British Prime Minister's official residence at No. 10 Downing Street, London, U.K.
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SCU INTERIOR Portuguese Prime Minister Mario Soares enters with British Prime Minister James Callaghan and stands in front of fireplace.
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SCU Soares and Callaghan standing talking, shake hands and walk out together.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



Reuters quote the influential Portuguese independent weekly newspaper "Expresso" which said recently that Dr. Soares would go before the National Assembly at the end of February to report on his tour. If opposition parties did not give the government an "unstinting vote of confidence without abstentions" Dr. Soares would resign, said the paper.




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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Portuguese Prime Minister Mario Soares flew to London from Lisbon on Monday (14 February) to open his campaign for Portugal to join the European Common Market. It was the first stop in a tour of Common Market capitals due to end on March the twelfth in Brussels, the Community's headquarters.

SYNOPSIS: At Number Ten Downing Street, he met British Prime Minister James Callaghan, a close friend.According to officials in London, Dr. Soares has been assured of British support. But British Ministers recognise the difficulties facing the relatively under-developed Portuguese economy, which will not be able to cape with all the obligations of EEC membership for some time. This problem will have to be resolved in membership negotiations.

Portugal's economy is currently in difficulties with ut 30 per cent annual inflation, and 15 per cent unemployment. According to a Reuters news agency report, Dr. Soares is staking his political future on the success of membership application. It's due to be formally submitted at the end of his tour.