With reference to the below info. after 55 years of the invasion and colonization Goa is not a priority but a spoils of war. Anni enkam kitem munpachem Doutor Jose Colaco? BC ----------------- GL responds: Of course for many Goans, December 18, 1961 is a day etched in stone. ?But for most of the world, the day then and that day now is a fleeting and insignificant moment in time and history. There is a now a book published of Kennedy's diaries and what was on his mind at every given time / week when he was in the White House. ?The events unfolding in Goa was more of a distraction to the US administration from the many pressing events going on in the world. ?All that Kennedy wanted to avoid is some pesky problem in some corner of the world disturb / distract the big picture of USA and Soviet Union, the Nuclear Threat, and Europe.? Even Nehru did not prioritize Goa and did not want to use force - see his biography. ?There were three unrelated factors that forced his hand. 1. Contrary to Nehru's advise, the leaders of Goan freedom fighters (to embarrass Nehru) ?were doing things that were endangering their lives and that of their followers; and mouthing off (aka giving interviews) to the Bombay press to embarrass Nehru. 2. The African leaders at Non-Aligned meetings were prodding Nehru to do something about the Portuguese colony in India; as that was the first step for Portugal relinquishing its African colonies. 3. Portugal's intransigence even in the face of United Nations actions and resolutions. ?Portugal's act of making Goa part of "Geographic Portugal" and the colonies as "overseas provinces" was a clear act that Portugal was not going to relinquish its colony in India like France did vis-a-vis Pondicherry and Mahe - which was / would have been a great road map for all parties. ?This tom-foolery of "Greater Portugal" even caused?the NATO allies to give up on Portugal. >From Wikipedia: On 14 December 1960, the?United Nations?General Assembly?(UNGA) passed Resolution 1514 (XV) urging all countries to take steps to place their colonies and non-self-governing territories on the road to self-determination in accordance with Article 73 of the?UN Charter.??Portugal claimed this resolution did not apply to them, as her colonies were overseas provinces, constitutionally integral to the nation, and thus exempt. On 15 December 1960, the UNGA passed Resolution 1541 laying out 12 conditions by which the UNGA would determine the definition of a non-self-governing territory.???This was immediately followed by Resolution 1542 declaring that nine Portuguese overseas provinces met these conditions and were to be considered "non-self-governing" territories for the purposes of Resolution 1514, even if the Portuguese constitution did not recognise them as such. Regards, ?GL
