O Combatente
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January 31 j 196*9<
'puppet President, America Thoma'z , .-.to appoint Professor Marcello
Caetano successor tò the Portugalfs durable dictator Prime Minister.
Caetano, who was heading the law faculty of the Lisbon
University and who huâ backing among the Roman Catholics was
assigned Premier of the Portuguese Empire on tho evening of September,
1968.
The following is the official text of the announcement
made by Thomaz of Portugal to the nation, regarding to the forced
retirement of Dr. Salazar :-
"The few words I have to say are very necessary at this
grave, difficult juncture in tho life of the nation.  They can
only come directly from me as Head of the State.
"On the sixth of this month, Prime Minister fell seriously
ill.  After a timely, successful operation it seemed that a rapid
eventful convalescence would restore him to his normal activity.
But at that point another, far more serious illness, affected him
and left him in a state of coma early in the afternoon of September
16.  In spite of his exceptional stamina and untiring, constant
care of his highly competent Doctors in attendance, he has still
not come out of his coma.
"An unexpected and extremely grave problem has thus been
put to the country.  It has deeply worried all Portuguese citizens,
who have nevertheless, and with the utmost calm, shown the world
a consolingly outstanding maturity and civic sense.  Among them all
the most concerned is necessarily the Head of State.  Before, he
was the first authority which is an undesirable position.  All eyes
are fixed on him in anxiety,'which it was travelling amidst
innumerable difficulties.
"For the last 10 days the Head of State has been torn
between his feelings of affection and gratitude and the feelings
imposed on him at this critical juncture in the life of the nation
by reason and a sense of duty.  It is no longer possible in the
highest interests of Portugal to postpone a decision any further.
I know that this decisiop would-, gain the unreserved approval of
the. Prime liinister   woro  v"  ho able to express an opinion.
A PAINFUL DECISION
"Dr. Salazar is very seriously ill and even if he survives
his illness - there is no hope of his being able ever again to carry
out his duties in full.
"Since tho highest interests of his nation must prevail
over any feelings, this circumstance must lead to the painful
decision to replace Dr. Salazar as leader of the Government. He
is a true patriot who deserves well of his country, which he has
served with greatness and absolute, untiring devotion for over 40
years. The better to serve it, he gave up all else in an act of
a complete renunciation without equal in over eight centuries of
Portuguese history.
I have sought the advice of the Council of State and I
cannot delay this decision any longer.  It is with deep bitterness,
which is only lessened by the intimate knowledge of his desire
not to die in office, that I exercise my constitutional power and
release Dr. Salazar from his post as chairman of the Council  of
Ministers, all the honours cf which post he will continue to enjoy.
Under the same constitutional provision, I appoint Dr. Marcelo
Jose das Neves Alves Caetano to replace him".
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