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Gabriel, Many thanks for your considered response. However, with respect, nay with very great respect, I want to say that I had been hopeful for a more persuasive reply, to my specific point as to why it was wrong for the Indians to invade Goa in 1961 in the quest to get back from the Portuguese, the previously conquered territory of Goa, when Portugal was not prepared to return the territory peacefully. To say that it was wrong of India to take Goa by force in 1961 because of prevailing UN protocols is a pretty lightweight argument in my view. The relatively new protocols on decolonisation were not binding at the time. They were purely advisory as I can tell from my reading of International Relations and Public Affairs, and even when many years later, such protocols have taken on a firmer nature, they have not been adhered to in lots of cases--Israel is but one example. On my point about the need for Portugal to return ill-gotten goods, I was referring to the land of Goa and its many peoples and everything else therein which the Portuguese had 'taken' by force. I have to say that Portugal proved to be totally inflexible about the return of colonised countries when UN protocols were also 'requiring' the return of colonised territories. Portugal was thus the prime non-mover on this critical issue and in drawing upon the absurdity that Goa was part and parcel of Portugal, it forced the Indians to act for the better on Goa in my opinion. I am particularly mindful that around 1961, Portugal was a totally bankrupt nation, and yet, the Portuguese were kicking Goan ass (as the Americans would say) in one way, and presenting a thoroughly false ideological picture of itself to our humble Goans in their hegemonic role in Goa. Please note that I personally experienced Portuguese brutality and saw plenty of it exacted on peaceful fellow Goans too. I therefore could not wait a day longer than 19th December 1961 to truly celebrate the expulsion of the Portuguese from Goa. But I will add that, had they emulated the British in India in 1947, an old European ally, they would undoubtedly have gained some respect from many Goans, including me, to this day. Further, if there were a plebiscite, I believe that Goa would pretty definitely go for incorporation into India because of the large Hindu population in Goa and because of support from many Christian Goans who had infinitely more sense than the Portuguese ever had over such matters. I would not condone Indian action in 1961 except as a measure of last resort in the circumstances, and pure exasperation with the recalitrant and obdurate Portuguese. And now to take our discussion a little further from where we started, whether the Goans could have obtained and sustained a measure of 'independence' instead of total incorporation following the departure of the Portuguese, sadly, Portugal had simply blocked all reasoned requests from the Goans for greater democracy in Goa itself. Instead, they just brutalised and incarcerated people for seeking their basic human and political rights. On this point too, I believe that, on the whole, the Christian Goans are an incredibly divided people for complex reasons which need sociological analyses. Sadly, as a people, we are largely a collection of rugged individuals, wherever we are, rather than a cohesive organic community who might have been able to stand up united, as say, the Singaporeans or some other small countries. If there is disbelief on this point, we only need to witness the incessant historical infighting among ourselves, at Goan clubs, churches, schools and of course on Goanet!! We seem to seek fellow Goans just to put the boot in, whenever possible, but of course this can change once we recognise our many shortcomings on this score and start responding, without being personal, but with civility to fellow Goans, especially when we disagree with them! Finally, the only example I received on my second question on what Portugugal did, if anything, of benefit to Goa, I was told that it had generated a good sanitation system in Panjim. I was glad to learn about this and very much hope there will be more examples. Cornel ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gabriel de Figueiredo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2004 6:00 AM
