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Olivença - Portugal Livre

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Webmaster's Introduction "de Jure" Map of Portugal Portuguese Army Map and Olivença Flag Olivença Timeline Treaty of Alcanizes Treaties Galore War of the Oranges Forgotten Alentejo-Map of Olivença Great Britain and Olivença Gibraltar and Olivença National Press International Media OlivençaNet/GAO Forum Olivença Portugal Claims Olivença 1000 Year Overview Archive Guestbook Point of View Questions & Answers Olivença/Portugal Livre Other Links: Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença   Forum Olivença   Manifesto Portugal   OlivencaOnline   Informação Olivença   Campanha por Olivença OLIVENÇA Usurpação/Etnicídio Perfeito

OLIVENÇA INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE 'De Jure' Map of Portugal The Treaty of Alcanizes signed by Ferdinand IV of Castile and Diniz I of Portugal in 1297 defined the borders between the two kingdoms "Forever". Any use of force by either country to change them would be considered as "Treason". During the War of the Castilian Succession (1475-1479), border areas in the Ribacoa (Beira), including the town of São Félix dos Galegos, were attacked by the Spaniards and seized. During the 28 year war that followed 1640 when Portugal's independence was restored, Spanish forces occupied a number of border areas along the Alentejo border. In 1801 in alliance with France, Spain invaded the Alentejo and occupied the region of Olivença on the east bank of the Guadiana. In spite of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance going back to 1373, England refused to come to Portugal's aid. (Maybe this was because Britain was secretly following a different agenda?) Portugal's historical, borders (which included Olivença) were again recognized by Spain in 1668 under the Peace Treaty of Lisbon, and so finally brought to an end "The War of the Restoration of Independence". The map that most people see of Portugal is not as above which correctly shows the 'territory of Olivença' within its common borders. Following the border treaty of 1864 - estuary of Minho to the confluence of the Caia-, and the 1926 border treaty - from the Cuncos to the mouth of the Guadiana, - and despite great Spanish pressure - a stretch of common border (about 50 Km) between the Caia and the Cuncos was left undefined. Spain still occupies illegally today this part of Portugal despite being a signatory to the 1815 Treaty of Vienna, which recognizes Portugal's integrity and inherent rights to all the territory within its borders (before the 1801 Spanish/French invasions). Portugal has a long history of conflict with its larger, more powerful neighbour. Spain is increasing pressure on Britain about its claims to Gibraltar and is showing expansionist designs in its political and economic dealings towards Portugal. The 'Good Friends' propaganda may still be hiding its historical resentment to Portugal's continued existence as an independent, sovereign state. Perhaps, it sees itself as if by some 'divine' right to own and to exercise dominion over the entire peninsula. Can Portugal choose to ignore history and survive as an independent country and nation in the 21st century? Rui A.M. da Silva Mapa cortesia de:http://portugalia.org e http://travel-images.com.   More Links: Enciclopédia "Kiwi" http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal   http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/po.html#Issues http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html