"Belief, and the Will to Win"

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OPEN LETTER TO THE MNE (MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS) The Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença send an open letter to the Portuguese Foreign Affairs Office (MNE). As a consequence of the negotiations between the UK and Spain which took place on 20 November in Barcelona and after a Moroccan newspaper of 22 November announced that Rabat demanded an identical process for Ceuta and Melilla, the Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença (today) published an open letter addressed to the MNE, appealing for a "consciousness of its duty and obligations" in regard to Olivença. GAO presented the Spanish success in their dispute as a result of a tireless national action, and exorted the Portuguese Government to follow the same policy. This Association did not fail to compare the flimsy rights that Spain has over the "Rock" with "the fairness and legitimacy of the Portuguese claim over the Olivença lands", and reminded the Government of Portugal that it "has the unrenounceable, constitutional obligation, to defend national integrity". PRESS RELEASE: "The Dispute of Olivença between Portugal and Spain. Contrary to the Spanish claim over Gibraltar, the fairness and legitimacy of the Portuguese claim over the Olivença lands do not leave any doubt. It's unavoidable the portuguesism of Olivença, it's unquestionable the rights of Portugal. Our leaders have the unrenounceable, constitutional obligation to defend national integrity, and with that step, fight for the return of Olivença. The expansion and good relations which are developing between the two peninsular countries cannot serve, exclusively, for Spain to pursue her economic, cultural, and political objectives, as it has happened with the forthcoming opening of the "El Corte Inglés" in Lisbon. In the same way, Portugal should not limit itself to the pretext of a visit by the Prime Minister to Spain, to join in the inauguration of a section of motorway... The climate for an open and uncomplicated relationship, which Portugal should not deny itself, would be before anything else, a backdrop for a strenuous defence, permanent and fundamental, of its interests. The dispute of Olivença, a serious issue between two neighbouring states, is the result of a treacherous aggression perpetrated by Spain and which she has never made amends. That aggression, always an obstacle to peninsular dialogue, will not be resolved with silence or inaction on the part of the Portuguese government, much less with the supposed Spanish indifference. It will also not result in a solution by the mere passing of time... Supported by history, culture and right, it's Portugal's responsibility, more than ever, to rise up and demand the return of Olivença. It is necessary that our leaders should have a full conciousness of their duty and obligations". Source: GAO Office