Goanese Government In Lisbon Planned

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29713, 5 January 1962, Page 9

Goanese Government In Lisbon Planned

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LISBON, Jan. 4.

A bill to establish a Government headquarters for Goa in Lisbon was submitted to the National Assembly last night by the Prime Minister (Dr. Salazar).

This Bill, (fefted by the Overseas Ministry, proposes that “as long as the province of Portuguese India be

occupied by foreign troops, the headquarters of its Government will be set up in Lisbon.”

The Bill provides also that there will be a Legislative Council for the Portuguese state of India which will be composed of representatives elected by the Goan communities existing in national or foreign territories I anti representatives appointed by the Governor-General. The Bill also provides that "the concessions made by the invaders regarding assets of the occupied territories are judicially non-existent.” It also provides that “the financial or economic obligations undertaken by Portu-> guese India before its occupation by the invader are judicially useless and their validity may only be considered after the restoration of Portugal’s sovereignty.” Representatives of the Legislative Assembly may. in turn, elect deputies to the Portuguese National Assembly to represent Portuguese India.

In Lisbon, the speech by Dr. Salazar yesterday and his references to his country's alliance with Britain made headlines in practically all major newspapers today They were divided editorially over whether the alliance should be re-examined as suggested by Dr. Salazar, or scrapped completely. “The Times” said: “It might help Anglo-Portuguese relations if a distinction could be clearly drawn between Europe, where their interests harmonise and are jointly protected in N.A.T.0.. and in other parts of the world where the two countries have gone different wavs.”

The “Daily 'Telegraph” said Dr. Salazar made a “notable omission” in his survey of existing treaties with Britain.

“Just before Christmas, Mr Sandys (Mr Duncan Sandys. British Commonwealth Secretary) reminded the House of Commons that in 1954 the British Goernmeni had informed Portugal that in no circumstances could the treaty be invoked to justify an attack by Britain on a Commonwealth country.” the "Daily Telegraph” said. The “Daily Mail” slid: “Recriminations get us nowhere. Nor would they compensate for the breaking of ancient treaties which have proved of value to both countries.”

The “Daily Sketch” said: "It has been obvious for yeara that the phrase ‘Britain’s oldest ally’ has negligible application to the Salazar regime whose colonial policies we detest.” (Earlier Report, Page 14)