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Olivença - Portugal Livre

Movimento Patriótico

 

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 Webmaster's Introduction When I first came across a rather small map of Olivença on a monitor screen in November 2000, I was intrigued. Somehow, I remembered that name from a 'History of Portugal' textbook in Primary school, and since then I had also heard that name mentioned with some feeling by a friend of mine. Something about it having been "lost" in a war. Born on 10th of June (called "Dia de Camões", in Portugal) I spent my childhood in Funchal, Madeira until I  joined my parents and brothers in Jersey, at the age of 12. There I attended Secondary school, worked and enjoyed my single life. After I met my wife I moved to England where I have lived all my married life, making an honest living and having been fortunate in helping my wife bring up a family of five fine children. I cannot boast about achieving some special degree in political studies or to posing as a daring foreign affairs journalist but, I have always been interested in a just cause. My continuous research and knowledge has inspired me into publishing this site to give people who do not understand or have not learnt Portuguese, the opportunity to find out for themselves what the 'Question of Olivença' is really all about. I would like to invite you to open the pages of history and get to know Olivença. It will become a familiar name to you and closer to your heart. When you have discovered Olivença I hope you will tell your friends that today there is in Europe a colony (approx 790Km2) - twice the size of the 'Isle of Wight' (England), or similar in size to Madeira - unjustly taken and illegally occupied and colonized by a "friendly" power, Spain. The overall view and message of this site is not intended to convey to the reader an impression of some kind of "Spain bashing" or "hate Spain campaign" but to draw attention to the leaders of Spain and Portugal their historical and legal duty to uphold international law and justice in fulfilling their commitment and responsibility to each other, and specifically with regard to Olivença, to its Portuguese population and heritage, as well as other concerns which affect the lives of their nations. On 12 September 1297 two wise Kings, Diniz I of Portugal and Ferdinand IV of Castile seized the moment to define the territorial integrity between the two kingdoms "forever", and to achieve lasting peace for future generations. Today, Sócrates (Portugal) and Zapatero (Spain), working together in a true sense of friendship and trust, could likewise restore that very intelligent and honourable agreement and seal that peace for future generations.  It will take courage, vision and exceptional leadership to be up to such a task. But, only by demonstrating each country's mutual respect for the other's integrity and right to pursue their individual interests and destinies can real peace and prosperity endure. Rui A.M. da Silva   750 Km2 of Portuguese territory occupied since 1801 and illegally colonized by Spain in breach of International agreements (shaded blue)