Press statement of the Portuguese Communist Party
July 3, 2013

The Portuguese Communist Party condemns in strongest terms the decision by the Portuguese authorities, acting under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to cancel and deny the fly over and landing authorisation to the Republic of Bolivia’s presidential plane carrying President Evo Morales.

This decision, in line with the decisions of other countries like France, Spain and Italy, endangered the safety and life of President Evo Morales - whose aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Vienna, after three and half hours of flight - constitutes an outrageous act of international provocation and intimidation against the President of a sovereign country and an unlawful act under the Constitution of the Republic, of international conventions on air traffic that Portugal is bound to comply, as well as under International Law and international agreements that result from the diplomatic immunity of Heads of State.

The argument used that Edward Snowden was aboard the presidential plane to try to justify this action is totally unacceptable and deplorable. The Portuguese government’s decision once again highlights the complete subservience to the interests, manoeuvres and pressures by the US, NATO and European Union.

The resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Portas, who made this decision, and the imminent fall of the government, cannot serve as an excuse to avoid a full explanation by the Portuguese government, or to investigate all the political and legal responsibilities of this decision.

The PCP demands immediate and formal apologies from the Portuguese government to President Evo Morales and the Bolivian State, as well as the opening of an investigation to clarify all the aspects of this shameful and unacceptable decision.