PORTUGUESE UNREST 118 Opponents Demand Salazar’s Dismissal

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31215, 12 November 1966, Page 15

PORTUGUESE UNREST 118 Opponents Demand Salazar’s Dismissal

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LISBON, November 10.

A group of 118 prominent opponents of the Portuguese Government has demanded the dismissal of the Prime Minister, Dr. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, the dissolution of the National Assembly, and the holding of free elections within one year.

In a 13-page letter to President Americo Thomaz, they said Dr. Salazar’s totalitarian state had slowly forced the Portuguese to “abdicate their dignity and humanity.”

The group said their proposals were the only way to avoid a “tragic confrontation of ideological extremisms” in Portugal. The group claims to represent the views of millions of Portuguese and includes Colonel Helder Ribeiro, a former Minister, the writers, Fernando Namora and Ferreira de Castro, a priest, and a wide selection of professional men, journalists, actors, and students.

The letter laid down a programme for a transitional government—including Army men—to succeed Dr. Salazar and organise elections. It sought: A nationwide debate on political and administrative questions; An amnesty for political offences;

The application of constitutional guarantees of civil liberty; Restoration of freedom of thought, association, and meetings; Abolition of censorship; and Transfer to the judiciary of powers—now held by the police—of preventive imprisonment and pre-trial inquiry' in criminal cases.

40th Anniversary The signatories calleo on the President to publish their letter, which came as a counterblast to official celebrations

of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of a military dictatorship in Portugal. Dr. Salazar, now 77, has ruled the country as a “unitary and corporative republic” since 1933. The letter said Dr. Salazar had built up a totalitarian state—inspired by Mussolini among others—complete with political police, legionaires, and a politically-appointed Army leadership. ‘Knowing Nothing’ It said: “In a climate of subjection, deprived of information, the Portuguese are reduced to knowing nothing, thinking nothing, demanding nothing almost desiring nothing—and are thus forced progressively to abdicate their dignity and humanity.” The letter contrasted the

secure and easy life of the ruling classes with the sullen misery of the people. The young and the intelligent were driven to emigration and “a veil of silence has fallen on Portuguese society.” 130,000 Emigrated Last year 130,000 people emigrated, according to figures produced last February by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. The annual income of the average Portuguese was 330 dollars, the lowest in Europe. Infant mortality was 88.6 a thousand, and only 56.2 per cent of children received even primary education. The letter also advocated self-determination for Portugal’s overseas territories.