Jardin, Georges

By specialty agricultural engineer. In 1943 he entered the public service. He was an official in agricultural, industrial and commercial departments, the administrator of Madeira . He led the Salazarist youth organizations (rural and scout). He was elected to parliament, dealt with the problems of the economy of the colonies, the colonial war in Africa , financial and road construction issues. Jorge Jardin was a staunch and active supporter of António Salazar and his regime .

In 1952, Jardine went into private business, engaged in oil trading in Mozambique . He retained ties with state bodies and political functions. He gained great influence in business circles, headed the Beira entrepreneurial association.

Jorge Jardin regularly carried out confidential intelligence and diplomatic missions of the Portuguese government. In 1961, he participated in the rescue operations of Europeans (Portuguese and Belgians) during the Congolese war . He organized a rebuff to the racial purges of the UPA partisans in northern Angola ^[1] . Maintained constant communication between the African colonies of Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Brazil. Formed in the African colonies, Portuguese India and Brazil, an effective information-agent network that allows you to constantly monitor the operational situation ^[2] . Repeatedly visited these countries with secret missions in extreme situations.

During the Portuguese-Indian conflict in Goa, Jardine organized the arrest of several Indians in Mozambique and Portugal, as well as the collection of incriminating evidence regarding Indian politics. During a special operation, he secretly visited India. These actions contributed to the release of Portuguese citizens arrested in India. ^[3]

In 1961-1968, Jorge Jardin acted as special representative of Salazar in southern Africa. He was a personal friend of the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, Ian Smith and the President of Malawi Hastings Gang , a business partner of the President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda . He was the consul of Malawi in Mozambique. Assisted President Banda in organizing a security system. Together with his wife Teresa, he organized a secret arms delivery to Malawi. In 1966, Jardin led the liquidation of the base of the Mozambique rebel movement FRELIMO on the Malawian island of Likoma ^[4] . His contacts with Soviet journalists who allegedly carried out the mission of the KGB of the USSR were noticed ^[5] . Jorge Jardin gained a reputation as “Portuguese James Bond ” and “second Lawrence ” ^[6] .

Jorge Jardin was suspected of involvement in the murder of the founder of FRELIMO, Eduard Mondlane in February 1969 ^[7] . He himself always denied this, suggesting that Mondlane was the victim of internal conflicts FRELIMO or the Soviet, and possibly the Chinese special operation. In any case, the successor to Mondlane, headed by FRELIMO, Zamora Machel, took a much tougher anti-Portuguese and pro-communist position.

Until the spring of 1974, Georges Jardin developed the so-called. Plano de Lusaka - “Lusaka Plan” of the decolonization of Mozambique. It was supposed to provide independence to Mozambique, while maintaining guarantees for the Portuguese living in the country. Jardin established operational and political contacts in the FRELIMO rebel movement, maintained confidential relations with Joaquim Chissano (head of the FRELIMO security service, future president of Mozambique). The interaction with some FRELIMO functionaries was so close that Jardin succeeded in removing General Caulza di Arriaga , a supporter of a tough military decision, from the command of the Portuguese troops in Mozambique.

A change of power in Portugal on April 25, 1974 disavowed Jardine's Mozambique projects. However, his achievements helped in the formation of the Mozambican anti-Marxist opposition. A special role was played by communication with Orland Cristina ^[8] , whom Jardine helped establish relations with the governments of Rhodesia and Malawi - the future RENAMO bridgeheads in the civil war . Evo Fernandes , Cristina's successor as general secretary of RENAMO, was also a long-time employee of Jardine ^[9] .

After the Portuguese Revolution of 1974, Jorge Jardin sharply objected to the transfer to the pro-communist parties of Angola and Mozambique. On this basis, he clashed with Rosa Coutinho, curator of the decolonization process, and other left-wing leaders ^[10] . Returning to Portugal, Jorge Jardin took a tough stand against the Communist Party , the pro-Soviet trend and the ultra-left wing of the Armed Forces Movement .

Jorge Jardin - along with Eduard Mel Peixot , Barbieri Cardoz , Valdemar Paradela di Abreu , Alpoin Calvan , Ramira Moreira - belonged to the circle of leaders of the Portuguese anti-communist and anti-Marxist resistance of the mid-1970s. He played an important role in the actions of the Hot Summer , which changed the political process and strengthened the position of the right-wing forces ^[11] .

In 1975, Jorge Jardin actively participated in the creation of far-right underground organizations of the Liberation Army of Portugal and the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Portugal ^[12] . He organized the contact of Valdemar Paradela di Abreu and Juan Braga with the Archbishop of Braga, Francisco Maria da Silva , and assisted Canon Mel in the creation of the movement “Maria da Fonte” ^[13] . Attracted to these structures Portuguese retornados ("returnees") - refugees from former colonies.

I am interested in "conspiracy activities" against the existing regime. I do not disown my Portuguese descent, the blood of my parents and my children. Portugal will still restore independence and dignity, although now it seems difficult. The characteristics of the “democracy” established in Lisbon in April 1974 will be revised over time.
Jorge Jardin, 1977 ^[14]

Persecution of the revolutionary authorities forced Jardin to flee to Spain. From there, he moved to Gabon , where he again went into business. He was in the leadership of the Gabon structure of Interbanque . He harshly condemned the Marxist regimes established in the former Portuguese colonies, especially the Mozambican.

The despotic minority established an oppressive regime that was hated by the people of Mozambique. Millions are enslaved by tyranny, one hundred thousand in concentration camps. Everything in Mozambique against FRELIMO, even in the party structures themselves, many true nationalists believe that they were betrayed. Where are the free elections, where is the promised majority rule? But rebellion is inevitable. Under the conditions of the Soviet offensive in southern Africa, the struggle will be tough and long.
Jorge Jardin, 1977

He died in Libreville at the 64th year of his life from a heart attack that occurred at a business meeting ^[15] .

Jorge Jardin published a number of works on African issues of a military and agricultural nature. The most famous book is Moçambique: terra queimada - “Mozambique. Scorched earth ” ^[16] . The biography of Jorge Jardin, especially with regard to African operations, is set out in the book of José Freire Antunes Jorge Jardim: agente secreto - “Jorge Jardin: Secret Agent” ^[17] .

The political forecasts of Georges Jardin have largely come true. The events of November 25, 1975 suppressed pro-communist tendencies. In 1979 , a center-right coalition came to power in Portugal. Estimates of the first years of the revolution have changed significantly. The civil war in Mozambique ended only after the demise of the USSR . In the early 1990s, the ruling regime of FRELIMO changed its character by agreeing to a multi-party system and a market economy.

In today's Portuguese society, the political attitude towards Jorge Jardin - a staunch and active salazarist - remains rather negative. However, he is given credit as a “political manager” who has effectively defended national interests. Enduring interest is the secret side of his activities, numerous successful special operations.

Jorge Jardin was married, had five daughters and a son.

The daughter of Georges Jardin, Maria do Carmo Jardin, is known as a paratrooper and pilot. During the war in Mozambique, she served in the paratrooper special forces. Engaged in the car dealership business, leads a non-governmental organization of solidarity with Mozambique ^[18] .