PORTUGAL PRIME MINISTER ANTONIO DE OLIVEIRA SALAZAR

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06782148
• 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: September 1, 1968

Approved for Release: 2019/03/11 C06782148
PORTUGAL Antonio de Oliveira SALAZAR
Prime Minister
Dr. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, the oldest-estab-
lished and perhaps least-known dictator in the world,
has ruled Portugal since 1928 when he became Finance
Minister. Never wavering in his belief that his form
of government is best for Portugal and her overseas
territories (which he has never visited), he continues
to espouse, with only minor alterations, the same con-
servative political and financial doctrines which have
characterized his regime for the past 39 years. A man
of exceptional intellect, strong religious belief and
complete devotion to duty, Salazar, since 1928, has
been content to run the government without the benefit of limelight and, for
the most part, opposition. Although popular discontent over social and
economic conditions does exist, organized opposition remains weak and divided,
and the main supporting groups behind the regime -- the armed forces, business-
men and the church -- remain loyal to Salazar. Further, his ability to
maintain domestic order -- despite occasional opposition from students,
mutinous military officers and, most recently, Roman Catholics -- and to hold
on to the African provinces has reportedly resulted in renewed support for
his regime from not only the key supporting groups but also much of the
populace.
Since he regards the preservation of Portugal's presence in Africa as
the principal achievement of his long rule, Salazar's reaction to both UN and
US pressures designed to convince the regime that it should recognize the
right of the inhabitants of Portuguese Africa to self-determination has always
been negative and scornful. Although he does appreciate American generosity
and accepts the necessity of American support for the defense of Western
Europe, he has accused the United States of undermining the worldwide posi-
tions of its allies, notably Portugal, and has warned that the Western powers
should no longer expect "automatic cooperation" from Portugal. Describing
NATO in 1966 as totally "inadequate" for the present needs and as a source
of "disastrous results," he proclaimed a policy of bilateral cooperation with
countries that are ready to cooperate fully with Portugal. .Regarding Portugal's
relations with the Eastern countries, he has emphasized the continuation of
his "policy of seeking to broaden the economic and commercial contacts."
His strongly anti-Communist regime maintains diplomatic ties only with Cuba
in the Communist world, but has been trading with several Eastern European
nations. Salazar has stoutly supported the US effort in Vietnam.
Born on 28 April 18890 the only son of a farm laborer, Salazar was
raised by his mother (whose maiden name, Salazar, he prefers to use instead
of his father's surname de Oliveira) and four unmarried sisters in an
wk.??
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Antonio de Oliveira SALAZAR (Contld.)
unpretentious whitewashed cottage on the outskirts of Santa Combs to, a
village north of the old university center of Coimbra. Although his mother
hoped he would enter the church, Salazar, after attending the Jesuit seminary
in Viseu, entered the University of Coimbra, where he earned a law degree in
1914 and a full professorship in political economics in 1918. A leader of
the Christian Democratic Academic Center, he was one of three Roman Catholics
elected to Parliament in 1921. When the military junta established its
dictatorship in 1926, Salazar, who had earned a reputation as a brilliant
economist, was called by the junta to straighten out the chaotic state .
finances. Although he quit after two months because the junta refused to
accept his austere concepts and demands for administrative control, he was
called upon again in 1928, named Minister of Finance, and given the powers
he demanded. His success in bringing stability to the economy brought him
overwhelming public support, and in 1932 his position as the actual head
of the government was formalized by his appointment as Prime Minister.
Persistent in his refusal to accept the popular adulation so common to
totalitarian rulers, Salazar wears no medals on his conservative business
suits and avoids public ceremonies and travel. Apart from maintaining ,a,
heavy work schedule, he lives a quiet, ascetic life in a small austere
apartment behind a walled garden in Lisbon, refraining from smoking and
drinking nothing stronger than a diluted wine.
On 7 September 1968, however, Dr Salazar underwent brain surgery to have
hematoma (blood-filled swelling) removed from the right side of his head.
his condition was caused by a- head injury
which occurred when a canvas deck chair collapsed under him sometime during
August 1968.
A bachelor, Salazar is said to be, despite
a
the severity of his nature, a man of grave courtesy, with an excellent sense
of humor and considerable personable charm. He speaks English.
September 1968
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