[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1995-S1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PORTUGAL'S NEW PRESIDENT

 Mr. PELL. Mr. President, this weekend, I had the honor of 
leading a congressional delegation to Lisbon for the inauguration of 
Portugal's new president. I was pleased to participate in this event 
marking the passing of the torch from Mario Soares to Jorge Sampaio, 
which was a strong signal of Portugal's continued commitment to 
democracy.
  The delegation's presence at the inauguration contributed to 
continued good relations between Portugal and the United States. 
Portuguese-United States relations remain solid. The new government, 
headed by Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, has demonstrated his 
continued commitment to a strong United States-Portuguese relationship. 
The new agreement on cooperation and defense providing for United 
States access to the Lajes Base in the Azores and Portuguese-United 
States cooperation in the implementation force in Bosnia are also 
important signs of the strong ties between our two countries.
  President Sampaio delivered a truly inspirational inaugural speech in 
which he described a Portugal firmly rooted in Europe and committed to 
a foreign policy that places a priority on good relations with 
Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world. He paid tribute to 
his predecessor Mario Soares as the symbol of the constant struggle for 
freedom and democracy both at home and abroad. President Sampaio called 
on the Portuguese people to work for a more cohesive Portugal, and 
pledged to do his part to encourage consensus in Portuguese society. 
Ever aware of Portugal's past political experiences, President Sampaio 
underscored that he will respect the wishes of the Portuguese people 
and to exercise his constitutional powers with impartiality.
  Mr. President, I commend President Sampaio's speech to my colleagues, 
and ask that it be printed in the Record.
  The speech follows:
       Mr. President of the Assembly of the Republic, Heads of 
     State, Prime Ministers and High Representatives of Friendly 
     States and Peoples, Prime Minister, Members of the Government 
     and High Portuguese Authorities, His Eminence the Cardinal of 
     Lisbon, Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentleman:
       After twenty years of democracy and a decade of European 
     integration, Portugal has completed a cycle in her 
     contemporary history. The democratic regime has been 
     consolidated. Accession to the European Community has proved 
     to be the right choice and has provided the country with 
     conditions for development and structural changes which would 
     otherwise have been impossible.
       Such major conditions for Portugal's modernization may seem 
     obvious and even natural to the new generations coming of age 
     today. It is good that it should be so. However, it required 
     several generations to fight for Freedom and Democracy, 
     generations whose courage and determination gave the example 
     to be followed. The 25 of April Revolution, which I would 
     feelingly like to remember here, represents the end of a long 
     journey during which people paid for their dedication to the 
     cause of democracy with their freedom and their lives.
       Being elected President of the Republic represents an 
     incomparable responsibility and honour in a politician's 
     life. Circumstances have contrived, however, to give me the 
     added pleasure of receiving the badge of office from that 
     outstanding figure of Portuguese democracy; the outgoing 
     President, Mario Soares.
       Dr. Mario Soares is the symbol of the constant struggle for 
     Freedom and Democracy both at home and abroad. A struggle 
     which knew no vacillations or concessions.
       The political cycle which coincidentally closes with the 
     end of his term of office will forever be linked to his name. 
     In the last decades no-one has marked Portuguese political 
     life so persistently and profoundly.
       Today, as President of the Republic, I would like to say 
     how deeply grateful our country is to you, Dr. Mario Soares, 
     for a lifetime dedicated to seeking the best for Portugal and 
     the Portuguese.
       Owing to the many areas in which you left your mark it is 
     difficult to sum up your life in one word. There is one word 
     however, which stands out above all others. You are a man of 
     Freedom. It was essential that my first gesture as President 
     should be to award you the Grand Collar of the Order of 
     Freedom, at another ceremony which will take place today.
       Mr. President of the Assembly of the Republic. I would like 
     to thank you most feelingly for the warm word you addressed 
     to me in your eloquent speech. This is the seat that 
     represents the sovereign will of the Portuguese people. I 
     know this house well, having survived intense years of 
     parliamentary activity here, believe me, Mr. President, the 
     Assembly of the Republic may always rely on the solidarity 
     and institutional cooperation of the President of the 
     Republic.
       I would like to say how honoured I am by the presence today 
     at this inauguration of Heads of State, Prime Ministers and 
     high representatives of friendly countries. I would like to 
     welcome you all warmly and to thank you for your 
     distinguished presence at this ceremony.
       Mr. President of the Assembly of the Republic, Ladies and 
     Gentlemen, the coming years are decisive for Portugal's 
     future. The country faces the challenge of ensuring important 
     modernization efforts without causing political and social 
     breaches which may undermine national cohesion.
       Our national strategy must encompass the firmness of 
     Portugal's participation in the European Union, the 
     achievement of a sustained effort to modernize the productive 
     sections and constant attention to social policies.
       I regard Portugal's future with confidence. We are a 
     quasimillenary country. We are possessed of a culture which, 
     century after century, has maintained its diversity and 
     richness. Our language was spread by the Portuguese ``to the 
     seven corners of the world'' and today is spoken by over two 
     hundred million.
       It was our people's courage and determination that created 
     the wealth of our history, our culture and our language. It 
     is that courage that will always give me faith in the future.
       I have acquired and developed a profound knowledge of the 
     Portuguese and this is without any doubt the heritage that I 
     most value in a political career which began more than thirty 
     five years ago.
       I know that the Portuguese people will always be able to 
     find the energy and means required to guarantee Portugal's 
     future. I also know that this new political cycle goes hand 
     in hand with the Portuguese people's more demanding attitude 
     in their relationship with the political system, particularly 
     with the need for greater transparency and renewed capacity 
     to provide concrete answer to the expectations and concerns 
     in people's day-to-day lives.
       The Portuguese know how I conceive the presidential 
     function. It is built on a concern to which I will pay the 
     greatest attention. In a world and a time increasingly 
     subject to massification, to violent desegregating tensions 
     and to the loss of the collective memory, the values of 
     identify must be reinforced. It is necessary to exercise a 
     magistrature that will defend, guarantee and strengthen 
     national cohesion.
       I feel that there are factors nowadays in Portugal which 
     are affecting that cohesion. There are unequivocal signs that 
     social inequalities are on the increase. The profound 
     regional asymetries in national development and the phenomena 
     of minorities' exclusion and marginalization have accumulated 
     and increased to worrying levels. There is an increased loss 
     of solidarity between generations. The role of the family, 
     even its articulation with the educational system, require 
     profound thought.
       One of the indications of the loss of national cohesion is 
     the growing signs of insecurity, increased factors of 
     discord, accumulated inter-regional tensions, intolerance and 
     intransigence that I see with concern to evolve.
       The strengthening of national cohesion requires far-
     reaching reforms both to achieve policies of decentralization 
     and to adjust educational and social policies. Also both to 
     restore citizens' trust in the political system and to 
     guarantee the effectiveness of the State's role.
       The strengthening of national cohesion signifies that a 
     solution must be found to

[[Page S1996]]

     strengthen municipal and local institutions as well as 
     organized forms of society representation. In the search for 
     that solution the unity of the State must never be 
     questioned.
       However, the strengthening of national cohesion also means 
     finding an institutionally stable solution of consensus for 
     the problem of formulating the Continent's political and 
     administrative decentralization. This problem has been 
     awaiting a solution for far too long.
       I would like to welcome the organs of the autonomous 
     Regions and give them my assurance that I will cooperate with 
     them wholeheartedly. The regional autonomies were decisive in 
     transforming the lives of the populations of the Azores and 
     Madeira archipelagos. The model of regional autonomy has 
     given proof of its legitimacy and all our efforts must be to 
     ensure its improvement and consolidation.
       National cohesion also depends on how we respect our 
     acquired social rights, guaranteeing some level of security 
     for families; and their expectations for retirement, 
     particularly for the underprivileged, outcast and jeopardized 
     by a process of modernization which is often pursued with 
     total disregard for the values of solidarity.
       As President of the Republic I will do all I can to 
     encourage the consensuses in Portuguese society. Only these 
     that can pave the way for a new strategic concentration, able 
     to meet the demands of national cohesion at a time of 
     accelerated change and accelerated national mobilization.
       The mandate I received from the Portuguese people is very 
     clear. The President of the Republic must be a guarantor of 
     political and institutional stability and perform his office 
     in such a way as to ensure institutional balances.
       I am, of course, aware that it is my duty to respect the 
     democratically expressed wish of the Portuguese and to see 
     that it is respected. Just as I will also faithfully respect 
     the spheres of competence of the other organs of sovereignty. 
     I shall commit myself to create the required conditions to 
     ensure that Parliament and the Government carry out their 
     duties and fulfill their mandates. Loyalty and institutional 
     cooperation by contributing to political stability will also 
     play a decisive role in allowing the Portuguese to see 
     themselves mirrored in the institutions of the Republic.
       The Government led by Mr. Antonio Guterras, which emerged 
     from elections which gave it the unequivocal vote of the 
     Portuguese people, can naturally rely on my institutional 
     cooperation.
       I will exercise my constitutional powers with impartiality. 
     It is incumbent upon me to work with all majorities and all 
     legitimate governments.
       The principle of institutional cooperation cannot be 
     synonymous with unanimity. Normal functioning of the 
     political institutions demands that all of us: President, 
     Assembly and Government, must exercise their powers with 
     rigour, and respect the manifestation of reciprocal 
     competences.
       I will remain constant to the form of my institutional 
     cooperation with the government. I will also be firm in the 
     exercise of the powers vested in me by the Constitution.
       With the Assembly of the Republic, the centre ``par 
     excellence'' of national democratic life, I will uphold a 
     relationship of respect and solidarity and will maintain a 
     constant dialogue with all parties. The opposition will have 
     in me an attentive observer, responsive to the protection of 
     its important constitutional rights as a means of preserving 
     conditions in which the democratic alternatives can freely be 
     chosen.
       I would like here to greet the Portuguese Armed Forces, the 
     guarantor of national defence and security, whose 
     institutional loyalty was decisive in consolidating the 
     democratic regime which emerged after the 25 of April 
     revolution.
       On becoming, by reason of office, the Supreme Commander of 
     the Armed Forces I would like to reiterate my total 
     commitment to the success of the peace mission in Bosnia and 
     Hercegovina, on which the stability of Europe at the end of 
     the millennium partly depends.
       Mr. President of the Assembly of the Republic, Ladies and 
     Gentlemen, the essence of Portugal's destiny is played out in 
     Europe. This, today, is an incontrovertible factor of the 
     country's international position. It is not moved by 
     apprehensive and defensive policies but rather counsels firm 
     political policies upheld by the clear determination of our 
     national interests.
       Both the difficulties of recent years and the demands of 
     this new phase of European construction require the 
     reinforcement of suitable internal consensuses which can 
     withstand the permanent demands of the Portuguese strategy 
     for Europe.
       That strategy can no longer be based on secretiveness and 
     the ``fait accompli'', factors which undermined previous 
     consensuses. Today it will invariably have to depend on, 
     transparent policy about the options to be made and their 
     requirements. Today it will have to be based on the enlarged 
     participation of the social and political forces and on the 
     citizens' opinion. Only thus will the Portuguese understand 
     that the European Union is a community of sovereign states, 
     from which we cannot, therefore, just merely wish to reap 
     benefits without having to share responsibilities.
       The challenges facing the European Union at the turn of the 
     century--the intensification of economic integration within a 
     framework of international cohesion, and the expansion of the 
     Union's borders to embrace the new European democracies--
     present challenges for Portugal. The answer to these 
     challenges lies not in hesitation but in the identification 
     of pre-eminent objectives for the establishment of national 
     consensuses and for a firm, determined Portuguese foreign 
     policy.
       A strong, united Europe will be a Europe which is open to 
     the outside world, ready to guarantee a framework of regional 
     stability. This condition is important for the continuance of 
     the transatlantic community, namely the alliance between the 
     United States and Europe. The North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization continues to be the cornerstone of our security, 
     although present circumstances demand the emphatic 
     development of the European pillar as sign of the European 
     allies' real capacity to assume added responsibilities in 
     collective defence.
       Naturally, the relations with Portuguese-speaking countries 
     have a special position in our foreign policy. Those 
     relations represent a link with our own extensive history 
     which is shared with the peoples of Angola, Brazil, Cape 
     Verde, Guinea. Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe and of 
     course with the people of East Timor. The language, the rich 
     variety of cultures expressed in that same language, history 
     and the effective solidarity between the peoples of these 
     seven states and of the territory of East Timor make it 
     necessary to form a Community of Portuguese-Speaking States 
     and Peoples. I shall dedicate great attention to this 
     project.
       Unfortunately, East Timor will not be able to take part in 
     this project as a free and self determined State.
       Portugal has an unalienable historical responsibility 
     towards East Timor and the Timorese community. As the 
     territory's administrating power Portugal has a clear 
     political duty vis-a-vis the international community: it must 
     guarantee the completion of the decolonization process 
     through a free and democratic referendum supervised by the 
     United Nations in which the Timorese may, with dignity, 
     exercise their right to self-determination. To fulfill this 
     objective the competent organs of sovereignty must always 
     seek the ways and means which are best suited to the 
     evolution of international circumstances.
       Portugal must continue to fight for the cause of East Timor 
     in all international fora and to support the efforts of the 
     UN Secretary-General in fulfilling his mandate, seeking a 
     just and internationally accepted solution for the question 
     of East Timor, with the participation of all the interested 
     parties.
       National commitment to this issue is, in fact, provided in 
     consonance with an essential reference value of the 
     Portuguese state's foreign actions: the defence of peoples 
     freedom peoples and the defence of human rights.
       The President of the Republic has particular 
     responsibilities with Macao, I believe that there must be 
     close agreement with the Government both for the 
     administration of the territory and the framework of our 
     relations with the People's Republic of China.
       The Portuguese policy is very clear: guarantee the 
     stability and prosperity of the territory of Macao as well as 
     the protection of the rights and interests of its 
     inhabitants, never forgetting that Portugal has an 
     unalienable responsibility to protect the rights of all 
     Portuguese citizens in Macao.
       Mr. President of the Assembly of the Republic, Ladies and 
     Gentleman, the modern evolution of societies and political 
     systems implies a new perception of relations between the 
     citizen and the political power. This relation must be based 
     on information and on the proximity of the political 
     decision, implying new forms for citizens' democratic 
     participation and the enlargement of their rights.
       Unless such new demands are incorporated within the 
     political system it will not be possible to adapt 
     representative democracy to the complexity of social 
     relations at the end of the millennium.
       The tendency in modern societies is to develop a culture of 
     civic intervention and of salutary intransigence when 
     protecting the citizen's legitimate rights in relation to the 
     state.
       The pressure on the Portuguese political system is already 
     great, due to the fact that a persistent centralizing policy 
     has postponed the natural development of institutional 
     reforms to decentralize power.
       Guaranteeing the stability of democracy signifies a 
     constant commitment to defend the prestige of the 
     representative institutions and the citizens' political 
     participation. I have and assume the obligation to encourage 
     a culture of democratic demand. But I also believe that it is 
     essential to ensure respect for the rule of law and the 
     defence of the prestige of the institutions which define and 
     apply such rule of law, as a means to guarantee the trust 
     citizens place in the institutions of the Republic. The 
     respect for the state of law is a fundamental basis of the 
     democratic regime. On this there can be no compromise.
       As President I will be close to the people. This intention 
     will be the mark of my term of office. I will listen 
     carefully to the Portuguese. To all Portuguese. I will be 
     particularly attentive, however, to those who are excluded 
     from the system and policies and who, because of the way in 
     which the modernization process in this country has occurred, 
     have been relegated to the statute of expendability. There 
     are no expendable Portuguese. The very idea is intolerable.

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       I will pay particular attention to the problems of 
     Portuguese families. I am aware of the multiple issues 
     affecting them and cannot fail here to express my concern 
     with all forms of family violence--in which women and 
     children are the principal victims. Within the competencies 
     of my office I will support all efforts which contribute to 
     finding ways for parents to invest increasingly in their 
     children's education as well as to conciliate mothers' and 
     fathers' careers with family life, for I am fully aware of 
     the growing importance of affectivity in the construction of 
     our individual lives.
       Solidarity must be a fundamental value of Portuguese 
     society. It must be present during the formulation of the 
     policies of modernization, employment and the reform of 
     social security. It is the only way to modernize the country 
     whilst maintaining national cohesion and the sense of sharing 
     a collective future. The most worrying expression of the loss 
     of solidarity is the evolution in recent years of increasing 
     signs of political, social and even religious intolerance.
       Portugal, which is a cohesive country with no ethnic, 
     regional, linguistic or religious issues, must know how to 
     preserve this unique asset without which (as we have seen in 
     many countries) everything would be at peril: civic peace, 
     progress, solidarity, prestige and our position before the 
     world. The Portuguese are well aware of this fact.
       A strong patriotism conspicuously based on democratic 
     values, culturally enlightened and civically assumed, is the 
     best protection we have against aggressive nationalism, 
     xenophobia and racism and is also the most efficient reply to 
     insecurity and fear of the future.
       I would like here and now to express with great fervour how 
     proud I am to be Portuguese and to declare my love for 
     Portugal which I want to serve with all my capabilities, 
     honouring the mandate I have received from the Portuguese.
       Our culture, which is both rich and varied in its popular 
     and erudite forms and so strong in its characteristic traits, 
     is the manifestation of a great People (accessible to others, 
     to the universe, to all that is new, to the unknown) and of a 
     nation that for five centuries united the human species and 
     globalized communication; a nation which, although small, was 
     able to travel to the ends of the seas and the Earth, where 
     it left its marks, the greatest of which is the language and 
     the memories which endure, and of which we constantly receive 
     grateful signs.
       Today I would like to encourage the Portuguese--and 
     particularly the young Portuguese--to study and become 
     acquainted with our history, our culture, our heritage, both 
     natural and created, our geography, the roots and foundations 
     of our identity. We must provide our new generations with an 
     exigent education which will prepare them to face the 
     challenges of the open market. But we must also provide them 
     with prospects for the future, with opportunities, with the 
     capacity to look hopefully to the start of their professional 
     and family life. Without all this it will be difficult to 
     solve many of the problems which affect young people in 
     Portugal today.
       It is by strengthening our identity that we can procure the 
     energy and the trust to set off boldly on the adventure of 
     the future, fearless and with audacity, in the firm 
     conviction that we were great whenever we put aside the 
     small-minded, petty issues which divide and diminish us. We 
     performed great feats and took our place as a People and a 
     Nation whenever we were able to unite and concentrate on the 
     essentials, opening up to modernity, to the values of freedom 
     and universalism, practising a culture of tolerance towards 
     and curiosity for all that was different, in a way, which is 
     peculiar to us, of affection and human closeness.
       It is a lesson for our times. Now, more than ever, they 
     must assume such values. That is precisely why this is the 
     unique contribution we can give to the construction of a 
     Europe of solidarity and citizenship, to the edification of a 
     World of peace and liberty.
       When I stood for office I stated unequivocally: there are 
     no presidential majorities. I will be President of all the 
     Portuguese. Of all, without exception.
       Long live Portugal.

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