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PARIS — The French government announced today the temporary suspension of certain cultural exchange programs with Portugal. This decision follows Portugal's declared intention to cooperate with the South American Union's (SAU) proposed 'Latin Socialist Cultural Alliance'. The French Ministry of Culture issued a statement, severely criticizing Portugal's move as 'abetting the undue intervention of the South American Union into the cultural heritage of Old Europe', emphasizing the measure as a 'firm assertion of cultural sovereignty'. The Portuguese government expressed 'regret' over France's decision but maintained that its alignment with the SAU is a 'sovereign decision to deepen solidarity within the Latin world, which should not be subject to external interference'. This action by France is expected to further heighten diplomatic tensions between France and Italy on one side, and Spain and Portugal on the other, concerning the SAU's expanding influence in Europe.