order of evaluation for target specific variables

[Alfred M. Szmidt]

What are the intended semantics of the following snippet,

        target: foo=zork
        target:
        ifeq ($(foo),zork)
                @echo "zork zork"
        else
                @echo "bork bork"
        endif

I'm thinking that it should print "zork zork" -- target specific
variables are supposed to have the same priority as if any other make
variable.  But if foo=zork is defined as a non-target specific
variable, the behaviour changes (printing "zork zork").

But then, the current behaviour (printing "bork bork") kinda makes
sense as well.  Is this a subtle "feature" in how target specific
variables are handled?