Critical moments in history

IN 1987 I accepted the invitation to head a private sector initiative to reopen the Port of Beira in Mozambique which had been closed to traffic since the imposition of UN sanctions on Rhodesia after 1965. For 22 years the port had not really operated – initially because the British had a frigate off the port to stop all trade with the rebel regime in Rhodesia. After that phase was over, the civil war in Mozambique between Renamo and Frelimo had cut the transport links and was also interfering with movement.

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