The President of the Republic argues that it is not enough to apologize for the negative aspects of colonialism. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was at the inauguration of the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, in Peniche, and clarified some positions and statements he made in recent days.
The President of the Republic highlighted that It is not enough to apologize for Portugal’s actions during the period of colonialism.
For the President, it is necessary to remove consequences and find ways to repair the former colonies. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa states that Portugal must lead this process and must not ignore the issue or sweep it under the carpet.
“We cannot put this under the carpet or in a drawer. We have an obligation to pilot, to lead this processbecause if we don’t lead it, assuming it, what happened to countries that, having been colonial powers, after x years lost the capacity for dialogue and understanding with the former colonies”, he warned.
Marcelo found examples of how the country can do this: with debt forgiveness, cooperation, the granting of lines of credit and financing that, he said, have been established.
“It is an issue that has to be dealt with by the new Government, in respect with the Government’s executive functions and has to be dealt with in contact with these states”, he said.
In addition to the heritage of the former colonies, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa recalled that The problems of former combatants and those “dispossessed” of their assets in the former colonies and forced to return to Portugal “are also unresolved”.
w/Lusa
Tags: President insists Portugal move historical reparations colonies
