The world-turned-upside-down of the European debt crisis reached a new extreme last week when Europe came pleading for lucre where it once only seized it: Africa.
The hands-out visit on Thursday of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho of Portugal to its former colony Angola ? once a prime source of slaves, then a dumping ground for the mother country?s human rejects and now swimming in oil wealth ? was a milestone of sorts.
While Europe?s financial distress has already revived bad historical memories ? 70 years after Nazi occupation, Greeks are grumbling about taking marching orders from German gauleiters?and reversed others?there was talk of a Chinese rescue for the continent that once humiliated it? the Angola-Portugal moment has had no equal in its upfront plaintiveness.
?Angolan capital is very welcome,? Passos Coelho said in Luanda, the capital city. That may be an understatement: the former colony?s cash could be essential as Portugal is forced to sell off state-owned companies and shutter embassies after a $105 billion IMF bailout this year.
?We should take advantage of this moment of financial and economic crisis to strengthen our bilateral relations,? he said, mindful that Angola?s economy is predicted to grow 12% next year while his own country?s is expected to shrink almost 3%.
The Angolan President, Jos? Eduardo dos Santos, was gentle after his meeting with Passos Coelho, using language African leaders are more accustomed to hearing from their European counterparts. ?We?re aware of the difficulties the Portuguese people have faced recently,? dos Santos said. ?Angola is open and available to help Portugal face this crisis.?