PORTUGAL PRIME MINISTER ANTONIO DE OLIVEIRA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06782150
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-01469
• Publication Date: February 1, 1966

Approved for Release: 2019/03/11 C06782150
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PORTUGAL
PRIME MINISTER
ANT6NIO DE OLIVEIRA SALAZAR
Dr. Ant6nio de Oliveira Salazar, the oldest-established
and perhips least-known dictator in the world, has ruled
Portugal since he became Finance Minister in 1928. A man of
exceptional intellect, strong religious belief and complete
devotion to duty, Dr. Salazar has maintained himself in power
with the triple support of the armed forces, the Roman Catholic
Church and the Portuguese upper classes. Although he is not
an admirer of the US and is resentful of the US tendency toward
'anti-colonialism he appreciates American generosity and accepts
.the necessity of American support for the defense of Western
Europe.
!sI believe democracy is a fiction. -I do not believe in
runivermWsuffrage. I do not believe in equality (among men).
.but. in hierarchy." This is the creed of a man who has for
.-36 years maintained financial stability, largely abolished
corruption and preserved internal order in Portugal.
'porn 28 April 1889 of a poor, lower-class family, Salazar.
Attended the Jesuit seminary in Viseu, and received a law
degree
from the University of Coimbra, where he also earned
a full professorship in economics. Having earned a reputation
as a brilliant economist, he was called in by the governing
military junta in 1926 to straighten out the chaotic state
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finances. Called upon again in ln'zs, he was made Minister of
Finance and was successful in bringing stability to the economy.
In 1932 his position as actual head of the government was
formalized by his appointment as Prime Minister.
Salazar continues to adhere ipthe political ideology that
has characterized his regide for the past 34 years, despite
the unfavorable impact. it has had on many sectors of world
opinion and the considerable opposition-it has created at.
*Ode.: :Only in�the last:few years has. he reluctantly modified
some of'hisconservative financial policies in 'Order to tidily.'
iMplementation-Of the government's economic development
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Silazar'is.linmarried and lives a 40.ei;-igioaiic...life.�
� ,- - ;:"
iti:4(Asmalk*uaterai'-aOartniciat behind a walled garden in Lisbon
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