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Warning: The Following Spanish article has been translated from the original text which contains lies and misinformation.
26/Sep/2003
La Razon
Montánchez /P.
Canales - Madrid.
The CIA gives encouragement to the groups who want to see the Spanish city of Olivenza returned to Portugal
The US has placed the Portuguese claim to Olivenza at the same level as that of Gibraltar, Ceuta and Melilla.
The CIA in its annual yearbook for 2003 of the situation in the world, has
considered the Portuguese claim over Olivenza, in Badajoz, to be at the same
level of an international conflict as Gibraltar, Ceuta and Melilla, and gives
encouragement to the Portuguese movements who demand the return of that
border city with Portugal, and causing for the first time great surprise
to the average Spanish diplomat. The report of the United States Intelligence Agency is
based on the fact that Portugal has never explicitly recognized the town
as being Spanish.
The North American Intelligence Service yearbook makes the disclosure that
in fact Portugal has never recognized the "Spanishness" of Olivenza. This
frontier town that for several centuries held an important strategic value,
belongs to Spain since 1801, after a span of nearly 600 years, when by the
Treaty of Alcanices 1230 (sic) the Kingdom of Castile lost it in favour of
its neighbour.
Portugal has claimed Olivenza in the last 200 years based on the fact that the
town was seized by a Franco-Spanish military coalition of King Carlos IV and
Napoleon. Since 1952, during Salazar's dictatorship, Lisbon has maintained
its demand alive that the municipality of Olivenza should be returned. For
that purpose, an "International Commission of Limits" was created by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although successive Portuguese governments have delayed for political
reasons to make concrete claims. In all its military and geographic maps of
an administrative character, the border line in the area of Olivenza is
missing.
In fact, the markers 801 to 900 that delimit the 20 (sic) kilometers of
frontier are non-existent.
In the bilateral agreements of 1864 and 1926 between Spain and
Portugal, which officially fix the frontier of both countries, the
adjoining boundaries are interrupted in the area that is claimed by Lisbon.
The annual report "The World Fact Book 2003" published in September (sic) by
the US Central Intelligence Agency, places Olivenza at the same level of
international conflict as the Spanish claim to Gibraltar, or Morocco's claim
to the towns of Ceuta and Melilla. The government of the US "has given
oxygen to the Portuguese patriotic movemnets" official sources have pointed
out to "La Razon". Particularly with regard to the «Grupo dos Amigos de
Olivenza", founded in 1944, and the «Comité
de Olivenza Portuguesa» created in 1988. The same sources calculate that
behind these movements are found others, like Portuguese pressure groups in the
military.
The Spanish diplomacy has been taken by surprise by the inclusion of
Olivenza in the CIA's annual report. The government of Jose Maria Aznar did
not expect "a strategic ally" as the US to let drop a deep charge that could
have grave consequences if it should escape the control of the diplomacy.
The North American espionage manual gives the impression that it has
re-emphasized in the last few years the idea that the Moroccan claim over
Ceuta and Melilla constitutes the seed of an "international conflict",
something that Spain has never accepted.
The decisive support by President Aznar in the war campaign against Sadam
Hussain, appears not to have been reciprocated, judjing by the sources
contacted, which Spanish diplomacy considers an "unfriendly act" by Washington.
Moreover the fact has been overlooked that the President of Portugal, Jorge
Sampaio, offered the Azores Archipelago on the occasion last July, for holding the Summit between Bush, Blair and Aznar, which was decisive for military
intervention in Iraq.
To close sources to the Spanish Intelligence Service, for the CIA to include
in the same packet Olivenza, Gibraltar, Ceuta and Melilla, it cannot be
considered a "careless mistake". The North American espionage network know
very well the Portuguese dossier since the Agency became actively interested
about the consequences of the "Carnation Revolution" in 1974 and the following
political situation in which the US feared that Portugal might fall under the
influence of the Soviet Bloc. The American Intelligence has since dedicated "a
special attention" to the Portuguese military.
With this 2003 report, the CIA has opened the door for intervention by Morocco
as the protagonist of conflict in the region. It cannot go by unnoticed that
the high level meetings between the chief leaders of Portuguese and
Moroccan diplomacy (Antonio Martins da Cruz and Mohammed
Benaissa) have given express support to Mohamed VI's, claim over Ceuta and
Melilla. At the time of the diplomatic meetings a reciprocal gesture would be expected.
Olivenza has been involved in political conflict since the reconquest of
Badajoz from the Moors by King Alfonso IX. Years later, in 1230, it changed
into Portuguese hands by the Treaty of Alcanices. The Army general of King Carlos
IV, Manuel Godoy, reconquered the town in 1801, in the so called "War of the
Oranges". The Congress of Vienna (1815) asked Spain to return Olivenza to
Portugal. The Spanish Crown has never admitted this as an inevitable duty.*******
Olivença Forum Press Release
Official Letter sent to all the State members of the UN
Taking the opportunity of the gathering of the 58.ª Session UN Geral Assembly,
the Olivença Forum has written to all the State members of the
organization to denounce the illegal occupation of Olivença by Spain and as a
consequence the breaking on the part of that country, of the Charter of the United
Nations and the Basic Principle of International Public Law.
Within the letter, criticism is levied at the hypocrisy by the Madrid Government for continuing to invoke, without valid historical and legal arguments, its territorial integrity with regards to Gibraltar, while occupying illegally the Portuguese territory of Olivença and also refusing any negotiations with Morocco over Ceuta and Melilla.
This appeal by the Olivença Forum is being made just a few weeks after the CIA included for the first time the dispute of Olivença in the World Factbook.
The Olivença Forum has alerted all the countries with a seat in the
General Assembly of the UN, including the Portuguese State, as a matter of the utmost urgency, that Portugal and Spain while enjoying good relations come to a decision over the dispute, to prevent serious problems in the future between the two countries.The Forum Olivença asks what influence or international authority can the Portuguese government have in its many negotiations with Spain currently, especially the fishing problem, if the Portuguese government shows fearfully incapable of placing Olivença on the Diplomatic Agenda. How can Portugal carry any credibility internationally before Spain when the government remains silent and allows the Spanish occupation of part of its territory?
The Coordination27/Sep/2003
Forum Olivença: Rua Carlos Eugénio, L. 30 - 1.º Esq.º - 2410 - 043 Leiria
www.olivenca.online.pt
244824848 / 965565877*******
15/Sept/2003
The CIA recognizes the Olivença dispute
For the first time in its Annual Report on International disputes, the CIA
has included the dispute of Olivenza, a territory where Portugal and Spain
have still not delimited their respective borders. Since the beginning of
August the CIA has made an express reference to the periodic Portuguese
claims over that territory, for two centuries occupied by Spain in
contravention of International Treaties.
The dispute over Olivenza has been referred to by the North Amerian Agency
separately and in the same terms, in the indexes of conflicts of Portugal
as well as Spain. Until now Portugal had been shown without any disputes of
an international nature, in contrast to Spain's appreciable list of
disputes.
Spain's large circulation national newspapers ("El Pais", "El Mundo", "ABC",
and "El Periodico") as well as National Television ("TVE") and the Regional
newspapers have given great coverage to the news, and have criticized the
CIA. The Spanish media have gone to great efforts to devalue or obscure the
dispute that exists between Portugal and Spain. Meanwhile, the Portuguese
State continues not to recognize Spanish sovereignty over the Olivenza
territories, illegally occupied 200 years ago.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/po.html
http://www.olivenca-net.com/forum/litigio.htm
Informação OlivençaNet
Serviço informativo independente e gratuito sobre Olivença
Rua Carlos Eugénio, L. 30 - 1.º Esq.º
2410 - 043 Leiria
Tel.: 244824848 / 965565877
http://www.olivenca-net.com*******
19/Jul/2003 - Jornal de Notícias - João Luís Campos
Olivenca Pamphlet at CPLP Meeting
At Coimbra, university students from Portuguese speaking countries took advantage of the presence of the CPLP Ministers of Foreign Affairs to air their concerns...
...with about 300 students attending, some could not get close enough to speak to the ministers while others did not let their chance escape, among them some Timorese students...
...during the dancing and the singing, the autographs and the photographs... some students took the opportunity to distribute a "pamphlet" with the title "Olivença is Portugal". It actually reached the hands of Martins da Cruz (the Portuguese Foreign Minister) but no dialogue took place between the students and the minister.
Source:Mário Rodrigues
The following is the translated text as contained in the pamphlet:
Olivença is Portugal
Olivença is Portuguese territory occupied illegally by Spain.
In article V of the actual Constitution of The Portuguese Republic, it is decreed that Olivença is part of its National territory.
The Portuguese State does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Olivença.
Juridicially, Olivença continues to be Portuguese!
The frontier limits between Portugal and Spain have yet to be defined, from the Caia/Guadiana confluence to the Cuncos/Guadiana confluence, in the Olivença region, because of this problem.
Spain made a commitment to return Olivença, but continues not to fulfil the Treaties she signed. Namely, that by International Law, Spain is required to return Olivença to Portugal.
The Portuguese government is under its Constitutional obligation to demand the fulfilment of the Treaties and have Olivença restored.
If Spain demands Gibraltar back without a valid claim, why can't the Portuguese State demand back Olivença, that rightfully belongs to them.
Forum Olivença
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03/Jul/2003 - PÚBLICO - Ana Machado
Lisbon Receives Portuguese-Spanish Meeting to Discuss the Ajuda Bridge
The first bilateral meeting about the restoration of the old Ajuda bridge took place in Lisbon, on Tuesday, at the Ajuda Palace.
Representatives of the Portuguese and Spanish Foreign Affairs Office, the Spanish Embassy in Lisbon, and the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage (IPPAR), did not reach any conclusion, but have guaranteed that a pathway of understanding is open. The situation, that was described as delicate, came to light last February when, without the Portuguese authorities being made aware, the Spanish company "Freyssinet", contracted by the Spanish Public Works, began restoration work on the old Msnueline bridge.
There immediately grew a metal mesh surrounding the entire extension of the monument, ignoring the fact that it is a classified Portuguese National Monument, and was as such recognized by decree in 1967. Ignored also was the fact, that on the bridge itself and its surroundings, grows a species of narcissus, the "Narcissus Cavanillesii", which is protected by a number of European directives, one of the main reasons why the Guadiama/Juromenha area was chosen to become part of the "Nature Net" 2000
Meanwhile, in April, IPPAR issued a negative decision regarding the work in progress uder Spanish orders, that envisioned the reconstruction of the monumenmt with prefabricated concrete. The document was sent to the Spanish Embassy in Lisbon, for forwarding on to the appropriate office. But the effect was nil. The work on the Olivença side continued, and half of the respective top was strengthened by concrete. The company in question was preparing, in the middle of June, to do the same with the arches, according to the patriotic association, "Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença" (GAO), who had been following the matter.
A statement released by the Spanmish embassy in Lisbon said: "The embassador recognizes that the situation is very difficult. It is a very delicate issue". There was no definitive agreement at the meeting yesterday (last Tuesday), but there is an air of understanding and we believe that there is in progress a satisfactory solution" it added. Nothing new was forthcoming from the Portuguese Foreign Affairs Office up to the close of this edition. It only recognized that it is about "a very delicated matter". It's an 'arm wrestling match' between Portugal and Spain over the Ajuda Bridge that has awakened the old ghosts concerning the demarcartion of the frontier at Olivença, a territory that Portugal has never recognized as Spanish. Due to the sensitivity of the issue IPPAR has also declined to comment on the events.
The fact of the matter is that, the Spanish Public Works called the old Ajuda crossing monument, Spanish, in an information bulletin last February, a document regarding old bridges that would be repaired within a recovery programme of historical heritage called "1% cultural". A photograph of the old manueline bridge, situated according to that ministry, in Badajoz, headed the text.
Source:Informação OlivençaNet
Rua Carlos Eugénio, L. 30 - 1.º Esq.º 2410 - 043 Leiria
There are Additional Recent Articles on This Page about the Ajuda Bridge Dispute
Please Also See Other English Text Related Articles at:
OLIVENÇA DISPUTE - SPANISH INVASION 2003
Take a look at:Gibraltar and Olivença and the claims that both are "Spanish".
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http://www.terra.net.lb/wp/Articles/DesktopArticle.aspx?ArticleID=89595&ChannelId=4
20/Jun/2003
Blair Anger as Spain Asks US for Help Over Gibraltar
Gibraltarians celebrate following an overwhelmingly "No" vote last November to a plan to share sovereignty of the island between Britain and Spain. Spain has reportedly asked Washington to intervene in the anglo-Spanish row.
Spain has asked US President George W. Bush to intervene in the anglo-Spanish row over the British colony of Gibraltar, The Daily Telegraph newspaper in London said quoting government sources in Madrid.
Downing Street said Thursday that Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair had recently discussed Gibraltar in a telephone conversation, but refused to provide further details, the right-wing Daily Telegraph said.
Spanish officials, however, told the newspaper that Blair was furious at Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, his main European ally over Iraq, for trying to get Bush to exert pressure on Britain.
Blair was not only angry because of Aznar's "underhand" behaviour but also because "America does not seem to know who is its real ally," said an unnamed source in Madrid quoted by the newspaper.
But the Foreign Office in London denied the report saying: "There is no American pressure being applied at all."
British sovereignty over Gibraltar, a tiny outcrop on the southern Spanish coast, is disputed by Madrid.
Gibraltar was captured from Spain in 1704 by a British-led naval force. Spain formally handed the "Rock" over to Britain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht.
The enclave's 30,000 inhabitants want to remain linked to London and will next year celebrate their 300th anniversary as a British territory.
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The Individuality of Portugal
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22/Abr/2003
The Friends of Olivenza (Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença)
PRESS RELEASE
The building work that has began at the "Nossa Senhora da Ajuda" (Our Lady of Help) Bridge - a Portuguese Heritage Site and classified as a National Monument of Public Interest - and in the surrounding area, particularly on the right bank of the Guadiana, in the district of Elvas, under the direct instructions of the Spanish government via the Ministry of Public Works, is considered illegal and constitutes a serious abuse against Portuguese History, and its Architectural Heritage and Culture.
Accepting their responsibilities and rights, the patriotic association "The Friends of Olivenza" (Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença) have duly denounced the situation to the Portuguese political authorities, to the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage "IPPAR" and to the city council of Elvas, and have urged them to act within the terms of their powers, and petitioned the Elvas Judicial Courts, on 4 April 2003, to issue an injunction for the immediate suspension of the work, the withdrawal of all installations already up and make good the site to its original state.
Having meanwhile gathered , other items and information, and with these known facts acquired a better appreciation of its criminal relevance, "The Friends of Olivenza" have now lodged criminal charges to the Portuguese Republic Attorney General.
In the understanding of this association, it raises the question of qualified criminal damage attributable to the Spanish Minister of Public Works ("Ministro del Fomento"), to the Spanish Highways General Director, the Spanish General Assistant Director of Architecture, and the Administrators and Representatives of the multinational construction company "Freyssinet,SA", as well as the criminal denial of justice attributable to the President of the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage ("IPPAR") and the Mayor of the city of Elvas.
As citizens, mindful of their rights and duty, that we do not alienate, we will not fail to resolutely fight the illegal actions committed by the Spanish government, against Portuguese territory and heritage and the inappropriate abstention of the relevant Portuguese authorities in dealing with this crime.
We are not moved by any "anti-Spanish" feeling. Neither are we personally against the "IPPAR" President and the city of Elvas President.
We hope that all Portuguese citizens will understand and join our concerns and efforts.
Lisbon, 22-04-2003.
The Board of AdministrationGrupo dos Amigos de Olivença - Rua das Portas de S. Antão, 58 (Casa do Alentejo) - 1150-268 Lisboa
Tlm.: 967 431 769 Fax.: 212 590 577
Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença GAO - Correio E ------------
15/Mar/2003 - Expresso (Lisbon)
"Ponte da Ajuda"
Lisbon Asks Madrid for an Explanation
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Martins da Cruz, has asked his Spanish counterpart for "explanations" over the ground levelling that, last Tuesday began to be carried out on the east bank of the Guadiana, next to the Ajuda bridge (Elvas) with the purpose to have it rebuilt.
The presence of workmen and machinery at the site led the "Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença" - an association that claims the restitution of the territory to Portugal - to alert the Portuguese Authorities, calling their attention to the judicial action instigated by that association, two years ago, by which resulted in banning any intervention on the bridge, that was (partially) destroyed by the Spaniards in 1709, and which was classified by the Portuguese government as a National Monument of Public Intererst, in 1967.
The Foreign Minister's Office confirmed yesterday to the Expresso newspaper that Portugal's ambassador in Madrid had been given the responsibility to "make enquiries" of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "seeking explanations over the work". The Portuguese FAM considers wholly "inexplicable" the Spanish attitude as "more so because the matter is still under the law court's jurisdiction.
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14/Mar/2003
Press Release - "Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença" ("Friends of Olivença")
Spanish Intervention at the Ajuda Bridge, a Portuguese Heritage Monument of Public Interest
Everything indicates that the Spanish authorities have started preparations for carrying out work on the Ajuda Bridge, over the Guadiana, a Portuguese Heritage site and classified as a National Monument of Public Interest, on the Olivença border area. In fact, next to the bridge on the east bank of the river, there have now been set up the usual storage facilities for such circumstances, and ground levelling work has already been done and we have been able to observe a great bustle of workmen and machinery.
Such work, as we know, depends on a favourable issue by the Portuguese Administration IPPAR, still under a contentious judicial review instigated by this Association, in which an injunction was declared that banned the issue of authorization to the Spaniards.
Therefore, either the Portuguese Administration has issued, illegally, the referred authorization, innapropriately, to start the work, or the Spanish authorities, dispensing with the authorization previously needed from our country, in an affront to legality and contrary to the actual "agreement" reached, on 12 January 2000, in the "Mixed Technical Commission between Portugal and Spain for accesses south of the Douro", and practising. therefore, a surprising act of obvious hostility towards Portugal.
Representing many Portuguese citizens concerned with the Portuguese Rights over Olivença, with the conviction that the necessary measures will be taken to defend Portuguese sovereignty and to maintain the legality and the rights, and even that public opinion remain tranquil and confident in its government, the "Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença" has already denounced the situation in progress, to the relevant authorities, requesting that public information be given as to the appropriate measures taken to respect or restore legality.
The "Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença", though hoping, that all may be just a misunderstanding, invites all Portuguese citizens to show their repudiation of such an act of arrogance and hostility and to press the Portuguese Authorities to, swiftly and completely, aportion reponsibilities, and demand that Spain give a satisfactory explanation.
Lisbon
12/Mar/2003Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença
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The Olivença Bridge Once Again at the Centre of the Dispute
14/Mar/2003/10:26 - Grupo Renascença
Being a bridge on Portuguese soil and a National Monument of Public Interest, any work carried out would have to be authorized by the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage(IPPAR).
In the meantime. IPPAR, who can intervene in the matter, is being prevented (in giving authorization) by a judicial decision of the Lisbon courts, following the successful injunction by "The Friends of Olivença"(GAO).
For Antonio Marques, the vice president of the Association, eiher the Portuguese Institute authorized the work unlawfully or Spain has gone ahead without any lawful consent.
"If it is going to carry out the work without the necessary authorization from IPPAR(...) it means that we are standing before a terrible ilegallity and, we are also witnessing an act of hostility towards Portugal and to its government", he added.
With the arrival on site of earth removing equipment, other machinery and workmen, "The Amigos of Olivença" fear that we are on the brink of a Portuguese recognition that the Ajuda Bridge is after all, Spanish.
Contatcted by Renascença, IPPAR said that the matter was subject to the discretion of the courts and would issue more information about its safeguards.
On the other hand, at the Ministry of Culture, no one was available to give any explanations.
OLIVENÇA INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE
Other related Articles
Forum Olivença Press Release - 01/Oct/2002
The Spanish Ministry of Public Works considers the Olivença Bridge as International 22/07/2002 - Linhas de Elvas
Ajuda Bridge Court Rulling Still in Force -07/Feb/2002, Dr Mário Rodrigues
Parliament Affirms Olivença is Part of Portugal - 30/Jan/2002, Dr Mário Rodrigues
Home Office Reaffirms Olivença is Portuguese - 04/Oct/2001, Dr Mário Rodrigues
Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença not troubled - 08/Aug/2001, PublicoOnline
"Bridge of Shame" - 29/Jul/2001, Dr Mário Rodrigues.Jornal Digital.com
Portuguese Government Criticized - 28/Jul/2001, Jornal Digital.com; PublicoOnline, José Pinto de Sá
Lisbon Court ruling against Portuguese government - 16/Jul/2001, Jornal Digital.com,19/Jul/2001; Hoydigit@l (Badajoz)
And Olivença? - 21/Apr/2001, Francisco Belard, Opinion, ExpressoOnline (Lisbon)
A Frontier Problem - A Covered Up Conflict - 28/May/1995, Dr Mário Rodrigues
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FrontPageOnline - Portugal's Weekend Newspaper in English - MAIN - 22/02/2003
Spain is not Invading Portugal - Minister
Spanish investment in Portugal is a "challenge" for Portuguese businessmen to invest in Spain, rather than an "invasion" or the moving of centres of economic decision making, Lisbon’s Foreign Minister was quoted as saying by the Lusa News Agency.
Minister António Martins da Cruz told the Portuguese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lisbon on Tuesday that the "unequal" nature of bilateral economic relations is "poorly understood by Portuguese public opinion and some sectors of the economy".
The strong presence of Spanish companies in Portugal only reflected the fact that Spain was a "stable country" with a 40 million population, said Martins da Cruz.
Spain’s purchasing power was much larger than its neighbour and Portuguese firms should seek to tap into the larger market, rather than bemoaning the Spanish domination of the economy, he added.
Most of the members of Portugal’s business community were competent, said Martins da Cruz, before offering a general criticism of the Portuguese character.
"We Portuguese have little self-esteem and prefer to criticise and lament whatever exists".
The minister told the assembled Iberian businessmen the EU "is now the main player in energising political and economic relations between Lisbon and Madrid.
He said he would meet his Spanish counterpart, Ana Palacio, Friday in Madrid to analyse "the future of Europe and bilateral relations".
------------Treaty of Peace (Lisbon) 1668
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Olivença
Spain's (New) Amabassador Interview With the Newspaper Diário de Notícias (DN) on 21 January 2003
During the course of this interview a number of topics were raised including: Portuguese -Spanish relations, NATO, the sinking of the Prestige, the fishing dispute between the two countries, and the new high speed train link. Then it was the turn of Olivença!
DN - "As regards to Extremadura (Spain). There is an area of frontier, that which involves Olivença, that Spain considers 'delimeted', but not Portugal*. Both governments repeat that it is not on their bilateral political agendas, but the truth is the problem exists. Why is there no direct dialogue about this matter?"
A - "Naturally, there is no agreement between the two positions. Many times, when there is a difference of opinion, the way we talk implies that it has been impossible to arrive at an agreement, the same happens with Gibraltar, with the British."
DN - "Gibraltar is different. Between Portugal and Spain there is the proximity of being neighbours. Shouldn't the two countries talk about the problem?"
A - "If there is a problem, they should. I believe that the two governments can talk frankly."
*
(1864:Border agreement between the mouth of Minho river as far as the confluence of the Caia river with the Guadiana.
1926:Border agreement between the confluence of the Cuncos river with the Guadiana to the sea in the Algarve - NB. there is still no official political border agreement between the Caia and the Cuncos where Olivença is located.
24/Jan/2003
Forum Olivença Press Release
It's Time for Portugal and Spain to Talk about Olivença
On 21 January, the Spanish ambassador to Lisbon, Carlos Carderera Soler, in an interview with the newspaper, Diá'rio de Notícias, recognised the existence of the Olivença dispute which Portugal and Spain oppose each other.
In admiting the problem, Spain's ambassador justified the fact that "a difference of opinion" exists to the Luso-Spanish territorial limits in the Olivença region with the argument that it "was impossible to arrive at an agreement".
Faced with such a declaration, which goes against the historical and legal facts, the Forum Olivença considers urgent to respectfully remind Madrid's diplomatic representative in Portugal that an agreement between Portugal and Spain already exists, having been established in the Final Act of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, in Article 105 where it states that Spain should endeavour to make every effort to return Olivença to Portugal as soon as posible.
As long as Spain does not comply with the Treaty, and chooses to continue to violate Portugal's territorial integrity, and disrespect the fundamental principles of International Rights, Spain places itself on the borderline of the rules of the sound and loyal terms that must govern the conduct of the members of the International Community, and instead presents itself as a country which other States, cannot enter into treaties or agreements, with certainty and confidence.
In declaring that "If there is a frontier problem, let's talk (about it)", for the sake of coherence and honesty, the Spanish State can no longer exempt itself from accepting the start (of a process) of negotiations with Portugal with the view to returning the Olivença territory. To those responsible for our diplomacy and the leaders of Portuguese sovereign institutions, the Portuguese people cannot tolerate and refuse the Spanish challenge, that they should not include at once Olivença on the Dipomatic Agenda and propose to Spain the immediate opening of discussions with the view to the fulfilment of the treaty that Spain signed and by which agreed to give back Olivença to Portugal.
"The Co-Ordination"
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24/Jan/2003
Forum Olivença
Welcome to Spain's Ambassador
At the start of a new year and having the Spanish Ambassador started your duties in the last few weeks and having just recently given a great interview on Luso-Spanish relations, the Forum Olivença, in the name of all Oliventians, has thought it right to respectfully welcome you, D. Carlos Carderera Soler, the Diplomatic Representative of Spain to Portugal.
The Forum Olivença offers deep felt and sincere wishes that D. Carlos Caraderera Soler may give a kickstart to a new period of Portugal-Spain relations, and, that for Madrid's part, it may take the form of friendship, respect, and truth, and with a transparency, loyalty and values that have been a little lacking in the manner which Spain has acted towards to our country.
Concerning the Olivença dispute, whose existence you have recently recognised in an interview with the Diá'rio de Notícias on 21 January, we hope that Spain should cease the scandalous contradictions and incoherence that we have witnessed when comparing with the Gibraltar issue, and wish that Madrid have sufficient maturity to understand that, instead of simple differences of point of view over where to place territorial limits between the two countries, that we face an inadmissible aggression against Portugal's integrity, and stand before a scandalous violation of International Rights, facts that neither dignify nor give honour to the Spanish people.
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20/Jan/2003 - O Público (Lisbon)
The Empire of King Alfonso
The Grandfather of Spain's King Juan Carlos had plans to annexe Portugal
A book by Spanish historian Hipólito de la Torre Gomez reveals the expansionist intentions of Alfonso XIII of Spain, with British cumplicity. That is the conclusion reached by the author's investigations collected in his book and shown on Wednesday at the Portuguese Geography Society, in Lisbon.
"The Spanish threat existed, it's clear that it did exist", summed up the author of "The Empire of King Alfonso XIII, Portugal and the English (1907-1916)", and edited by the 'Junta de Extremadura'.
The revelation of the threat so close to actually happening was possible above all, to the desclassification of English documents, that are included in his work and confirms that between 1907 and 1916 and during the end of the Portuguese Monarchy, Spain was concerned about the stability of its own regime and assumed an expansionist attitude.
The investigations reveal that the British authorities not giving an ambigious guarantee, showed "understanding" to Madrid's policy regarding Portugal.
Alfonso XIII, the grandfather of the current Spanish monarch, was, according to the author, the main protagonist of Spanish expansionist intentions, taking directly into his own hands the "Portuguese Question".
I believe the content of the news to be revelant, not only because of Spanish expansionism which is still alive, but also due to British complacency.
It reminds me about the episode of the "conquest" of Olivença, done by the Portuguese troops (from the French in 1811) under English command, which were then made to hand over to Spain, despite their protests.
The English are like the "Amigos of Peniche"
------------8/Jan/2002
Summary from articles in the Portuguese National Newspapers - Expresso, Diário de Notícias, Correio da Manhã & O Público, on 6 January 2002
Spanish Fishermen Attack Portuguese Maritime Police
The Portuguese authorities have started criminal proccedings through the courts at Vila Real de Santo António, in the Algarve against Spanish fishermen as a result of the violent events that occurred on Thursday morning, 2 January 2003.
The Maritime Police patrolling the Algarve coast spotted a number of Spanish trawlers illegally fishing within Portugal's national waters and went to intercept. A total of 9 Spanish boats were involved. This latest episode happened off Monte Gordo, in eastern Algarve. The Spanish fishermen had come from Cristina Island, Spain, on the coast of Andaluzia and were seen using "sucking" hydraulic machinery, a method used which is forbidden in Portugal and banned by the European Union. This way of fishing has been used before in the area by the Spaniards who enter Portuguese coastal waters illegaly, the area being rich in a variety of fish. Initial attempts by the Police having failed to dissuade the fishermen from continuing with what they were doing, they finally fired three warning shots - one into the air, one into the sea and the other across the bow of the leading ship and tried to get on board. The Spanish captain barricaded himself, and in the violent struggle with the crew that followed, one officer, Ricardo de Almeida, was shot in the leg, and another, Jorge Vieira, was pushed into the sea.
According to a Portuguese Ministry of Defence report, it began at about 8 am when the 9 boats were detected and were pursued by the Portuguese vessel "Bisga" which succeeded in stopping one of the Spanish trawlers, the "Nueva Maria de Carmen", the others having made their escape. When trying to rescue the officer from the sea, the Spanish boats returned and repeatedly attempted to prevent the rescue of the man from the water and attacked him by throwing in hooks, using water jets and wooden malets, which in the very least is being considered as attempted murder by the Portuguese authorities. The Spaniards then made off into Spanish waters.
After the two injured officers were taken to hospital at Vila Real, the same boats returned to the area where they were doing their illegal fishing, but this time were chased off by the arrival of a Portuguese Navy frigate.
Paulo Portas, Defence MinisterPaulo Portas, the Minister of Defence, has taken a serious view of the situation because of the violence towards the police, and the repeated violations of the law by the Spaniards. An enquiry has been ordered and criminal charges are to be brought against the captain of the identified Spanish vessel.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Ambassador to Madrid, has protested strongly to the Spanish government about the incident. Apparently, the Portuguese authorities have notified Madrid about similar illegal fishing operations in Portugal's waters before, but the Spaniards have never responded. In 2002 there were 17 known incidents of illegal fishing in Portuguese waters by Spanish fishermen. This latest episode turned really ugly, and the Portuguese authorities have decided to take firmer action, confirmed Paulo Portas
Rui da Silva
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FRONT PAGE STORY - 23/11/2002: Portugal's Weekend Newspaper in English
Portugal Pays for Others’ Mistakes
'If Spain had their way,most of Portugal’s northern beaches would have been polluted by now. Portugal’s sole neighbour’s questionable attitude in dealing with the sunken Prestige fuel tanker was highlighted by Barcelona newspaper El Periodico on Wednesday, when it stated: "The decision was taken to tow the boat out to the deep blue yonder, following the well-known practice of cleaners who brush dirt under the carpet. Was the aim to share the risk with Portugal, as if the environment were a national and not a planetary asset?". Spanish port authorities all refused the ship entry to its ports so that it could empty its load prior to it causing damage. Instead, it was urged southwards to Portuguese shores. But the captain, aiming to save the lives of his crew, turned off the ship’s motors as it stopped dangerously close to Portugal’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Still the Spanish attempted to con(vince) Portugal that the boat was in its waters. In the meantime, and as the boat was dragged out to sea, came the undeniable and now certain risk of contamination to what could become more than a fifth of Portugal’s entire coastline.
While Spain alternates in blaming whomever they deem responsible for the environmental disaster the sinking of the Prestige has caused, Portugal is bracing itself for an unprecedented economic and ecological disaster.
Hundreds of fishermen have already been rendered unemployed by the tanker’s sinking, while teams are prepared as far south as Aveiro to prevent the widespread damage the 77,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil can cause to a country’s coastline.
An extraordinary parliamentary debate, called by the opposition and held on Thursday, was intended to force the Portuguese government to officially lay the blame for the disaster squarely on Spain. Franisco Louçã (Left Bloc) called on Portugal to demand compensation from Spain, with other opposition parties sharing a similar stance.
But Minister of Defense, Paulo Portas, limited his response to explain that Portugal had no responsibility in the disaster, confirming only that the country had refused the Prestige entry into its waters.
Portuguese oil company Galp, on Thursday confirmed it had refused an offer from the Prestige to purchase its fuel oil in October. In an official statement, the company explained it had refused the cargo, not due to its quality, but rather due to the potential and imminent risks this outdated ship, built in 1976, would pose to Portugal and to all the countries’ coastlines it would pass prior to reaching its destination. Unconfirmed reports on both Spanish and Portuguese television claimed the Prestige was en route to Gibraltar.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Durão Barroso said Portugal is taking "all measures" possible to minimise the risk of oil slicks reaching its coast.
He said the environmental catastrophe, already affecting much of Spain's Galician coast, was being carefully monitored by Lisbon's Environment, Defense and Foreign Ministries.
Environmental group Greenpeace said the sinking of the stricken tanker would affect the environment "for years". This sentiment was echoed by Greenpeace’s Portuguese counterparts, Quercus, who said the effects of the Prestige’s sinking will be felt "for decades", if not "permanently".
In addition, these groups alerted that if the entire cargo of the Prestige should spill, the resulting damage would be double that caused by one of the worst ever accident - the Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska in 1989.
At the time of going the press, officials said there had been no new leakage since the crippled, Greek-owned "Prestige" broke apart and sank Tuesday morning 80 kilometres north of Portuguese waters and 200 kilometres off the Galician coast.
Portugal's Hydrographic Institute said the vessel was located about 25 nautical miles north of Portugal's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Portuguese maritime authorities expressed hope the fuel oil spilled after the "Prestige" suffered a ruptured hull in stormy weather one week ago would not reach the Portuguese coast.
Prevailing winds, they said, appeared likely to blow the slick northwards, away from Portugal.
But latest weather reports, suggested stormy conditions, with winds blowing from a northwesterly direction, which would force the slick onto Portuguese shores.
The UK Met Office, which has been issuing bulletins to ships in the area, said Portugal was likely to take the brunt of the pollution.
The Bahamian registered "Prestige" was damaged last Wednesday and spilled about 10 percent of its 77,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil before breaking apart and sinking.
Lisbon sent a navy frigate to the area - which lies within Portugal's zone of search and rescue - to monitor the situation and air force reconnaissance aircraft are constantly flying over the zone. The Defence Ministry also announced it had sent anti-pollution equipment to northern Portugal in the event of the country’s beaches being affected.
Lisbon’s Defence Minister, Paulo Portas, misquoted and given the wrong name by two of Europe’s most respected news agencies, said that both Portugal and Spain were "interested in working in the European framework to find a solution to limit ecological damage".
While Spain has promised to make whoever is responsible "pay", the Dutch company called in to save the ship, Smit Salvage, criticised Spain for moving the ship from its coast, saying, "the five days of towing into heavy seas definitely did not improve the structural damage that had already been caused to the Prestige".'
*(Meanwhile, according to the Gibraltar newspaper "Panorama", the Gibraltar Government is taking legal advice to establish if the EU Commissioner Loyola de Palacio has abused her office in her accusations against Gibraltar regarding the "Prestige" oil spill. There is also speculation in the Portuguese media that Spain was "pressured" by France under an accord between the two countries to have the "Prestige" moved southwards into Portuguese waters.) - Rui da Silva
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Sat, 2 Nov 2002 23:35:22 -0500
From: jl@juventudelusitana.co.pt
Not Even Us Expected This!
How would the Spanish people react if King Juan Carlos decided to honour the governor of Gibraltar, giving him a title or a medal? How would the British have reacted if in the early eighties the Queen had decided bestow on the Argentinian occupiers of the Falklands a medal? Exactly...
Then why has the Portuguese Republic, personified by the President himself, decided that it is a good idea to bestow the highest honour available to a foreigner, on the head of the Spanish political authority that illegaly occupies the Portuguese territory of Olivença?
This point does not revolve around our own personal opinions of this 200 year old dispute, the point is a simple one. Olivença is a touchy subject, officially neither state recognizes the other's claims over the land. Meanwhile Spain in disregard of Inernational law continues to occupy Olivença and ridicule portuguese claims, whilst in the same breath noisily complaining about Britains perfectly legal presence in Gibraltar, a territory many times smaller than Olivença.
The portuguese position is that Olivença is an integral part of Portugal, even if not much is done about it. The constitution, which the president is sworn to defend, states that Portugal is undividable and whole (our translation of the original "Uno e indivisível")
And so instead of defending our claim over Olivença, or safely pretending the problem does not exist, the President decides to honour the occupier... Could someone please explain this to us????
(For more information about this and the historical background to the problem, please visit the following website:
http://www.portugal-livre.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/)See Also:
Forum OlivençaGrupo dos Amigos de Olivença/GAO
National Press
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13 August to 23 September 2002
Another Anniversary of the Treaty of Alcanizes - 12 September 2002
"Following a clear diplomatic policy developed by King Diniz, the Portuguese monarch met with King Ferdinand IV of Castile, on 12 September 1297, in the Leonese town of Alcanizes and there both signed an agreement that fixed the actual borders between the two Iberian peninsula countries.
Effective through the Treaty of Alcanizes, Portuguese sovereignty was recognized over the territories and villages of Riba-Côa, Ouguela, Campo Maior and Olivença.
Except for small changes later, without significance, the limits then established, have never undergone any alteration, and so constituting the oldest, established national frontier in Europe.
However, it is appropriate to state here that Castile/Spain, since then, on several occasions and in many varied ways, has demonstrated to be her policy to question the existence of these limits, if not even the very existence of Portugal as an independent entity.
Along these lines we can present for example, the glaring and the problematical, through the warlike taking, by the Spanish State, of the Portuguese town of Olivença.
In fact, despite the decisions and international agreements, and namely the Treaty of Vienna of 1815, despite the very commitments accepted by Madrid, despite, finally, International Rights, Spain continues to occupy that part of Portugal, in an exuberant contradiction of the words of good neighbour relations and friendship with which she likes so much to greet us...
In passing 705 years since the Treaty of Alcanizes, the "Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença", identifying itself with the feelings of the Portuguese people, reaffirms its unceasing struggle for the return of Olivença to Portugal, for the respect due to History, the Culture and to Rights.
With the certainty that Portuguese leaders are sensitive to the interests of defense and national rights, the " Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença" exorts all citizens that, by all means, demand that the Question of Olivença be placed immediately on the Luso-Spanish political agenda.
Lisboa, 11-09-2002.
Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença (Casa do Alentejo) - Rua Portas S. Antão, 58 - 1150-268 Lisboa. Tlm: 96.7431769
Press Release from the Grupo dos Amigos de Olivenca
Olivença Treaty of Alcanizes/Tratado de Alcanizes
"O Público" (Lisbon) - 13/Sep/2002
Spain Square "Transformed" into Olivença Square
Yesterday, Spain Square in Lisbon was "rebaptized" Olivença Square in an initiative to mark the 705th anniversary of the integration of that town (now occupied by Spain) under Portuguese sovereignty.
About a dozen activists and sympathisers from the "Forum Olivença" chose this part of the capital where the Spanish embassy is located to distribute some pamphlets about the cause which motivates them to accomplish the return of that land to Portugal. They covered up the five name plaques that identified that locality with paper squares with name "Olivença Square" written on and they ended their mission by handing a letter, to the Spanish representative in Lisbon, at the embassy. The letter states that 201 years ago Spain, "treacherously, and without honour for herself, took possession of that inseparable parcel of Portugal". "And despite the treaties and commitments which afterwards contracted, has failed to return it to Portugal, its legitimate and unquestionable owner, 600 Km2 of Alentejan soil illegally integrated into Spain."
To the "Forum Olivença", the unfulfilment of the Treaty of Alcanizes - that determined the integration of Olivença under Portuguese sovereignty - sealed in 1297, is "an intolerable scandal" that must not be forgotten by the Portuguese people. Manuel Alonso, of the "Forum Olivença" affirmed that the action went well, even though some passers-by confused them with "the Lisbon city council workers", and thought that the square had in fact, changed its name.
See Also:
Forum OlivençaNational Press
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Tuesday 23 July to Monday 12 August 2002
After the newspapers: "Linhas de Elvas" (Portugal) and "Hoy" (Spain) reported Spain's plans to rebuild the Ajuda Bridge, Mário Rodrigues, a former President of the Portuguese patriotic society GAO ("Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença"), wrote several letters to the press and Portuguese Government Departments to protest. He received the following reply from the Portuguese Foreign Affairs Office which is worthy of note.
*"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs", "Minister's Office"
"22.jul.2002"
"GMNECP 2824"
"Dear Dr. Mário Rui Simões Rodrigues
Issue: The Reconstruction of the Ajuda Bridge
"With reference to the matter in your letter, I am required on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Afairs and the Portuguese Communities to thank you for your letter...of 19th of this month, regarding the reconstruction of the Ajuda Bridge.
As it is already known to you...the matter in question is currently in the hands of the Portuguese judicial authorities, and therefore the Government awaits the court's decision before tackling the issue with Spain.
With my best regards
The Cabinet Chief Officer
(Pedro Nuno Bártolo)"
For Other Newspaper Articles see:
National PressGrupo dos Amigos de Olivença/GAO
Forum Olivença
Portugal Claims/Reivindica Olivença
International Media
------------26/June/2002 - Source: InforOlivençaNet
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Mota Amaral (President of the Assembly of the Republic) Receives Friends of Olivença
07/May/2002 - Source: GAO (Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença
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Open Letter to Spain's Ambassador in Lisbon
03/Apr/2002 - Source: Newsnight, BBC2 - Source: Rui A M da Silva
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Peter Caruana says Spain should return Olivença to Portugal
01/Apr/2002 - Source:"InforOlivençaNet"
Olivença on RTP2
