RESTRICTED
023505
67
MDLIAN 2177
RESTRICTED
FM LISBON
TELNO 185
(AMENDED DISTRIBUTION)
TO PRIORITY FCO
OF 281106Z AUGUST 87
Para 3(c): Macan HKB 020/2
INFO ROUTINE OTHER EC POSTS, LUANDA, MAPUTO
02 SEP 1987
INFO SAVING DAKAR, BRASILIA, HONG KONG, PEKING, JAKARTA, WASHINGTON
MY TELNO 175. PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME.
SUMMARY
1. NEW PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT. PRIVATISATION MAIN THEME, BUT SOME INTERESTING POINTS ON FOREIGN POLICY (ESPECIALLY EC FINANCING, RELATIONS WITH ANGOLA/MOZAMBIQUE, TIMOR).
DETAIL
2. CAVACO SILVA PRESENTED HIS GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME TO THE ASSEMBLY ON 26 AUGUST. HE EMPHASISIED THAT HE WISHED TO WORK WITH THE ASSEMBLY, WHILE CHALLENGING THE OPPOSITION TO BEHAVE CONSTRUCTIVELY. MAIN POINTS OF HIS SPEECH WERE:
(A) REDUCTION OF STATE INVOLVEMENT IN PORTUGUESE LIFE, IN PARTICULAR THROUGH A PROGRAMME OF PRIVATISATION OF STATE COMMERCIAL
INTERESTS.
(B) LIBERALISATION OF THE MEDIA: MOST GOVERNMENT-OWNED MEDIA INTERESTS TO BE SOLD OFF. GOVERNMENT'S ROLE TO BE REDUCED TO PROVIDING A MINIMUM RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICE.
(C) AGRARIAN REFORM: CURRENT LOCAL REGULATION OF FARMERS TO BE REPLACED BY NATIONALLY APPLICABLE LAWS. INCENTIVES FOR MORE VIABLE FARM UNITS.
(D) LABOUR REFORM: NEW LAWS TO BE INTRODUCED WITH THE AIM OF GIVING GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO EMPLOYERS.
(E) FISCAL REFORM: INCOME TAX TO BE SIMPLIFIED. (F) REFORM OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
(G) CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM: THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO REMOVE THE POST-REVOLUTION, COMMUNIST INSPIRED IDEOLOGIAL LANGUAGE WHICH IT SEES AS INHABITING PROGRESS, ESPECIALLY ON PRIVATISATION.
(H) REFORM OF THE ELECTORAL LAW: CAVACO SILVA POINTED OUT THAT IT TOOK ALMOST FIVE MONTHS FROM THE START OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS TO THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE OF THE RIGID TIMETABLE LAID DOWN BY ELECTORAL LAW.
3, POINTS OF INTEREST ON FOREIGN POLICY WERE:
1
PAGE RESTRICTED
8/9
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.