<It may be noted that to offset Mr Alemao's move last Sunday 5th March, 2006 both Mr Sardinha and Mr Faleiro pledged to expose Mr Alemao over his remarks in the Goa Assembly in 2000 wherein he had supported the idea of two airports since it was being operated by a private party. Mr Alemao however denied this and alleged that he was quoted out of context.>
When will we get to see the full transcript of Alemao's speech in the Assembly along with the date when it was made? <Mr Alemao chose the Navelim turf of Mr Faleiro to read out the contents of a letter by CM Faleiro dated 22/10/1999 addressed to Mr Ravindra Gupta Secretary Civil Aviation New Delhi wherein he stated among other things --- quote " I expect that you .... expedite the upgradation of the existing airport at Goa" " I would also like to take action on our agreement to have an International Airport of North Goa the process of which can be initiated immediately" --- unquote.sd / Luisinho Faleiro Yet another letter which was merely showed on a power point presentation (but reserved for distribution at the Curtorim meet on 9th March, 2006) of then CM Francisco Sardinha date 21.2.2000 addressed to Union Minister for Civil Aviation New Delhi Mr Sharad Yadavji ---wherein he stated -- quote " The international flights consist mainly of direct chartered flights bringing in Goa more than 1 lakh tourists per year" " --- capacity of the Goa airport in handling flights to the optimal number has been severely affected by the restrictions imposed by the Navy under whose administrative control the Goa airport at present functions. ....The Government of India constituted a Committee ...in November 1977 [?]... amongst the sites available the one at Mopa was the most suitable... The proposal is presently with Cabinet Secretariat, awaiting consideration by the Union Council of Ministers . I wish to request you for intervention in the matter for an early decision in the interest of our State sd/ Francisco Sardinha. This clearly proved that both M/s Faleiro and Sardinha were for both airports which according to Mr Alemao is nothing short of the demand also of the BJP. Therefore it is clear that they were not in favour of retaining ONLY DABOLIM.> Both the dates 22/10/99 and 21/2/2000 predate the March 2000 GOI decision to close Dabolim when Mopa is ready. As such they do confirm that both the persons named were interested in "two airports" in Goa. What's wrong with that? In these circumstances Churchill's statement n the Assembly assumes crucial significance. That will show if HE is the one adopting "double standards". Cheers!