Catalan call for autonomy

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 8

Catalan call for autonomy

NZPA-Reuter Barcelona Catalan Opposition leadeis have called for a mass rally in Barcelona next Saturday to demand a return to autonomy in their north-eastern Spanish region. Their call, issued in a manifesto, was the first action to emerge from a gathering of Spain’s Opposition parties and regional Opposition groups in the capital on Sunday which the Spanish press dubbed in “Opposition summit.” A communique issued by the gathering strongly condemned the two-month-old Government of the Prime Minister (Mr Adolfo Suarez), reiterated demands for a speedy dismantling of institutions created by tb» late General Francisco Franco, and pledged mass peaceful demonstrations to accelerate reforms. The Spanish Government and the Opposition seemed far apart after the communique. Political sources said Mr Suarez was putting the finishing touches to a television speech, due next week, which would appeal to Spaniards to back his Government’s moderate moves towards a constitutional monarchy. Brief opening Thailand has closed its border with Cambodia just five days after reopening it to trade between the two countries, Bangkok newspapers have reported. They said it was closed because officials at the Thai Interior Ministry had not received instructions on implementing the agreement, and therefore could not perform their duties. — Bangkok. '