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"Belief, and the Will to Win"
Links/Ligações:
Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença"Crer e Querer para Vencer"
Forum Olivença
Manifesto Portugal
OlivencaOnline
Informação Olivença
Campanha por Olivença
Imigrantes
OLIVENÇA INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE
Under Construction
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Some of the most commonly asked questions answered or explained in the light of the latest information. This page will be uptdated as events happen.
When will Spain hand back the occupied territories of Olivença and Vila Real to Portugal?
There is no definite answer at the present time to a very complex situation. There are no top level discussions (as has been happening between the governments of the United Kingdom and Spain about Gibraltar), but the subject is discussed whenever ministers of Portugal and Spain meet in the International Commission of Limits. The last time they met was in ?.
There have been other sensitive occasions such as the building of the new bridge over the Guadiana or the Alqueva dam that needed close contact between the appropriate government departments of the two countries. A temporary answer, if not a permanent one, in side stepping the issue is always found.
The dispute over the illegally occupied Portuguese territories will no doubt be resolved sooner rather than later. Agreement over Gibraltar, and an increasing closeness between the European Union partners, politically and economically will make the settlement of the dispute less painful. Meanwhile, Spain will continue to spread a scenario of misinformation to its own people and attempt to hide its double standards from the international community.
What do the residents think?
The majority of the residents of Olivença and Táliga are Spanish immigrants. Under Portugal's sovereignty they would not be or expected to become Portuguese, but have the usual rights as in the case of other members of the European community already living in the country. At the moment there is a gap in some of the social benefits which would make a switch less easily acceptable.
In the villages and settlements spread round the territories the Portuguese culture and language is still strong, the population is less diluted and they maintain closer links with the rest of Portugal.
What about the Portuguese general public?
The question of Olivença is no longer "taboo". The Portuguese people are discovering the real facts for themselves which will facilitate politicians' ability to become more open about such an incredibly sensitive issue, who will in turn demand that Spain comply with all the international treaties, and finally see justice done and some honour prevail.
What are the governments of Portugal and Spain doing to resolve the problem?
With the new government coalition of the PSD and CDS/PP parties in Portugal it is too early to say what their external policies, particularly with regard to Spain and its PP government will be. It was the new Prime Minister, Durão Barroso who in 1994 as Foreign Secretary in a previous PSD government, refused Spain the right to build the new bridge across the Guadiana.
Interestingly on 29 January 2002 during a radio interview when asked about Olivença , Durão Barroso stated: "We must be objective, realist and pragmatic. Today that question is in no way a priority." and then reminded them, " I have opposed certain agreements being sealed regarding the border area which in any way would indicate our recognition of Spanish sovereignty over Olivença"
The priority for Portugal right now is to expand a contracting economy, tighten its public spending and eliminate rampant tax evasion. This could easily take the whole four year period of this government. However, there will inevitably be opportunities to effect a process of discussions and make progress.
How long has the dispute been going on?
Olivença and its 750 Km2 territory has only been in dispute since 1801 when spanish forces allied with Napoleon's seized it. The Portuguese captured the area from the Moors in 1228 and Spain finally recognized Portugal's rights in 1297 by the Treaty of Alcanizes. In subsequent treaties there was never any dispute over Portuguese sovereignty. In fact, when the 28 year 'War of the Restoration of Independence' ended, each country restored to the other towns and lands taken during the war. Portugal returned towns such as Valença de Alcantara and Spain returned Olivença.
In the Treaty of Lisbon 1668, Spain again recognized Portugal's sovereignty over Olivença and Vila Real territories. To say that Olivença became Portuguese as part of a dowry (Beatriz of Castile's marriage to King Diniz of Portugal) is false and a late invention. Also to suggest that Olivença was captured by Spain purely because it was the only place on the common border to allegedly have contraband dealings is complete nonsense.
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Where are the Spanish occupied territories? - the other Colony in Europe.
The 750 Km2 Portuguese territories illegaly occupied by Spain are to be found just south of Badajoz (Spain), on the east side of the Guadiana. These were lands conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese during the reign of Sancho I, and recognized by Castile in 1297 to belong to Portugal by right. There was never any dispute about it until the unscrupulous Manuel Godoy, seized them for Spain and his own glory in 1801.
It's made up mainly of rolling plains and a couple of gentle hills, where olive and orange trees grow.
Why is Spain sometimes accused of hypocrisy in holding on to Olivença?
While Spanish governments have been harassing and bullying the Gibraltarians, and making claims of sovereignty, they have continued to defy their legal obligation under the Treaty of Vienna, (not to mention breaking Article 9 of the Treaty of Badajoz) and have failed so far to return Portuguese lands they occupy.
Is it possible for the two Iberian neighbours to really enjoy close ties?
Can Britain help its old ally Portugal to regain Olivença
What needs to be done to change the situation?
What has happened to the 5,000 names public petition to have the Olivença problem discussed in the Portuguese Parliament?
