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DSK 11C
5. In 1951 Macau was proclaimed an Overseas Province of
Portugal. The Portuguese revolution of 1974 and subsequent
political upheavals led to considerable changes in the
administration of the territory. A Statute of the territory of
Macau was promulgated in February 1976 defining Macau as a
"collective entity with internal legislative sovereignty",
which would enjoy "administrative, economic, financial and
legislative autonomy". It prescribed the powers of the
Governor and Legislative Assembly (the latter having a
4-year term), provided for an Advisory Council, and defined
various judicial and administrative procedures. It required
also that the Governor be appointed after consultation with
the Macau Legislative Assembly, although in practice, the
latter plays little if any rôle in his selection. Moves
begun in 1973 to introduce an element of election to Macau's
Legislative Assembly were extended to allow for the direct
election of six members of the 17-man Assembly. Six others
were to be indirectly elected as representatives of "moral,
cultural, welfare and economic interests" (ie from business
and charity associations), and five to be appointed by the
Governor. The Portuguese Constitution of April 1976 described
the status of Macau as a "territory under Portuguese adminis-
tration" distinct from other Portuguese overseas territories
(eg Azores and Madeira) which were described as "Portuguese
territory defined by history". Article 306 of the Constitu-
tion confirmed the Statute.
6.
Portuguese troops were withdrawn in 1975-76, and were
replaced by a locally recruited security force of about
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/2,000