Prof. Leo Antonio de Sousa's Speech
© 2003, A.D., P.J. Mascarenhas, Goa Livre Organisation
Address Delivered By Prof. Leo Antonio de Sousa, Pakistan Delegate, To The Goan Conference, Paris
Mr. President,
My dear Fellow-Goans all over the world:
For me, today is a great day. It has always been said, almost as a proverb, that wherever there are two Goans, they never agree. Today you have lied — you have proved that that has been a lie. (Cheers). Today, my dea Fellow-Goans, you have proved that when it is a question of the happiness of all fellow-Goans wherever they may be, we stand united (Cheers).
I am not going to inflict on you a detailed speech because I do not think that it is necessary. Our august President and the previous speakers have in detail given you all the reasons possible but there is one reason that I wish to stress — WE LOVE GOA! (Prolonged cheers).
Whatever our differences we have come together to declare to the world that we want our Goa, our beloved motherland, free. (Prolonged cheers).
I did not come to you with a prepared speech, I speak from the bottom of my heart and from the fullness of my heart my mouth speaks, my beloved fellow-Goans. It may be that the world will say where the hell were they these two years that have passed. We were scattered but the call of the motherland has brought us together.
It does not matter what happens but today we pledge ourselves to our free Goa, we pledge ourselves to work for the happiness of all the Goans in bour beloved motherland, who have acquired through no fault of theirs today the status of refugees andthey want that this should be removed. The right to Self-Determination is a God-given gift, it is not given to us by any individuals, by any nation not even by the United Nations. It is the birthright of every individual group of people whom God has created in this free world under Him. (Cheers).
Ladies & Gentlemen, my dear fellow-Goans — I say: GOA FOR THE GOANS! (Prolonged cheers).