Students' Statement

University students from the Portugese colonies, including Angola, issued a statement (in November, 1960), to the Portugese people:

"Our main wish is to link hands with all those who want to join us in building up our countries in a democratic way . . . But, if our hope for a future of close co-operation with Portugal is not to be deceived, an end must be put to the preparations now being made for a colonial war which will shed our blood and sacrifice the blood of your youth in vain."

The ruction of the government was swift. On December 30, 1960, they removed the executive committee of the Association of African Students and replaced it with Portugese officials from Lisbon.