"Belief, and the Will to Win"

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OLIVENÇA INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE POINT OF VIEW PONTO DE VISTA 24/Apr/2002 Remembering the Day of Freedom Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ 13/Apr/2002 - Open Letter to All True Friends of Portugal - Britain Gives Away Portuguese Territory Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ 03/Apr/2002 - Source: Newsnight, BBC2 Peter Caruana says Spain should return Olivença to Portugal Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ 02/Dec/2001 - Diário de Notícias OLIVENTIANS: SPANISH OR PORTUGUESE? Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ 10/Nov/2001 - Panorama (Gibraltar) Between a Bully and a Fickle Friend Rui A.M. da Silva ------------   01/October/2001 "Model Relationship" It's official! Portugal and Spain have a "model relationship" announced António Guterres, the Portuguese Prime Minister to a group of journalists on the last day of his 3 day visit to Madeira, which combined a walkabout in Funchal, a sightseeing tour as well as some private talks with José Maria Aznar of Spain. Several topics touching both countries, were discussed such as security in the aftermath of the Terrorist attack in America - both condemned ETA's terrorist activities in Spain - and Spain's ambitious plans for its EU 6 month presidency from January 2002 which will feature the ultraperiphery islands of the 2 countries top of the agenda. Spain is very keen to spread its influence to all strategic Portuguese speaking areas as part of its special friendship with Portugal. Such a pity that within this close, "model realtionship", the opportunity once again has been missed to resolve peacefully the dispute of Olivença which as usual seems to have been kept off the diplomatic agenda. Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ -/Sep/2001 No Problem...It's All Spain! Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ 01/Sep/2001 AS GOOD FRIENDS AS BEFORE Rui A.M. da Silva ----------- - 10/Jun/2001 "Portugal Day" Mais uma vez celebramos o"Dia de Portugal". Isto é o nosso privilegio fazer seja onde for que houver portugueses. Felicitamos todos neste dia saudoso. We celebrate once more the "Day of Portugal". This is our privilege to do wherever the portuguese are to be found. We congratulate everyone on a day of longing for home. Temos hoje uma grande oportunidade de nos expressar o sentimento de "porteguesismo", certa justificação de um povo de imensa proeza nacional e internacional. As comunidades portuguesas que labutam por uma melhor vida por todo o mundo alem, muitas perseguidas por a adversidade e perigo, a todos os lusitanos invoco coragem e reconheço a gratidão duma nação sempre distinguidamente lusa. We have today a great opportunity to express our feeling of "portuguesism", clearly justified by a people of immense national and international achievement. The portuguese communities who work hard for a better life all over the world, many pursued by adversity and distress, we call on their courage and aknowledge the gratitude of an always distinguished lusitanian nation. Quando é incompreensivel o comportamento deficiente e política negativa do governo em Portugal, queremos neste primeiro "Dia de Portugal" deste novo milenio, salutar por parte da "raça" portuguesa todos os indivíduos ou grupos que defendem e lutam por os direitos e integridade de Portugal. Como antes e sem dúvida especialmente hoje, é necessário crer e querer para vencer. Most Portuguese probably find the incompetent and muddled behaviour of the portuguese government quite confusing, so on the first "Day of Portugal" of this new millenium, let all the Portuguese who know what is right and best for their country no matter where they are remember that Portugal needs their support. Perhaps more so now than before it is necessary to have the belief and the will to win. Rui A.M. da Silva ------------ 10/Apr/2001 Guterres in Morocco Portugal's Prime Minister, António Guterres marriage to his ex-secretary Catarina Vaz Pinto yesterday was a low key affair. This was not unexpected for a man of a modest personality and style. What was curious was his choice of destination for the honeymoon and noticeably his eager wish to visit with the King of Morocco, Muhamed VI, immediately after his arrival in the country. Over the years Portugal's relations with Morocco have been rather cool and distant. Past history and present day competitive interests in the area have played a significant part in this poor relationship. One thing that the two countries share in common is that both still have part of their territory occupied by Spain. Portugal has Olivença and Morocco has Sebta (Ceuta) and Mlilya (Melilla) Will Guterres relationship with the Moroccan king be any different than Aznar of Spain? What can the Portuguese people expect in future closer relations with Morocco? This is still a country that maintains strong traditions and customs unlike Portugal which no longer places so much emphasis on its rich culture and extraordinary past since joining the European Union. Rui A.M. da Silva