GL responds: Thank you for posting some historical facts. Goans are never short of opinions on this issue as we have just seen. I had posed the suggestion made by Francis to one of the sons of "Goan rulers". In response to - Was Goa prior to 1961 an economically viable entity? His response: Goa was a negative balance of payment for Portugal. This was despite the fact that Goa had no infrastructure to speak of. When Goan had the blockade, it had to import rice from Burma. Imagine! We did not (and still do not) produce enough rice to feed native Goans. Now consider that more than half of Goans live (d) outside Goa. Folks seem to loose sight of the fact that right now Goans are ruled by Goans who are elected by Goans. And of course the response is : Yes ... but!!!! Regards, GL
================From: Eugene Correia Subject: Re: The liberation of Goa: How Nehru defied the U.S. and used force against the Portuguese The story of Nehru defying Kennedy is "diplomatic" spin. Kennedy seemingly okayed India's plan but kept public silence. The US didn't get NATO into action as Portugal demanded. Portugal was part of the alliance. Kennedy was convinced that Portugal was adamant in clinging to Goa, USA Ambassador, John Kenneth Galbraith, a Canadian-born US diplomat, played a big role. earlier, Canadian Ambassador, Escott Reid, was also on India's side. Portugal was not paying heed to USA's plea to give up Goa. Portugal also defied India's diplomatic efforts, till Nehru, pushed by circumtances and pressure from the freedom fighters and Defence Minister Krishna Menon, ordered the army to march into Goa. What has happened since then, and the current problems, were not expected. But they are realities now.
