As far as I know, Fred, only those independent countries which have Portuguese as their official language can be members of CPLP. But non-independent territories or regions where that language has a significant bearing can join as observers. I think that Goa at least once took part as observer in a CPLP meeting. In the meantime, Tino Xavier has already given us information about his series of articles in "The Goan Observer" on the organisation and on each of its eight members.
Jorge ----- Original Message ----- From: Frederick Noronha (FN) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 11:20 PM Subject: [Goanet]Queries about the CPLP Just came across the Community of Portuguese Language Countries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPLP While Goa is not a 'country', was curious to know (i) how active is this group (ii) how useful is it (iii) does it allow regions which are not countries, and where Portuguese isn't the official language, to join in? Tino Xavier had, if one recalls right, posted something on this in the recent past. FN - - - - - Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa or CPLP) is a multilateral forum for mutual friendship between the lusophone nations across the world where Portuguese is an official language. CPLP was formed in 1996 with seven countries, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe. East Timor joined the community in 2002 after regaining independence from Indonesia. Brazil, East Timor, and the five African member countries are all former colonial possessions of Portugal.
