Speech #940080370

With this centralization came an exploitation of the Azorean economy for the benefit of the mainland. and an impoverishment through taxation of the flourishing agriculture. Ironically. the high taxation had the effect of drawing the Azores closer to the United States. Emigration from the islands to the United States has proceeded at a rapid rate. until today there are at least 700.000 nativeborn Azoreans in the United Statestwice as many in the United States as are left on the islands. This close relationship between families here and families in the Azores has brought the Azoreans very close to the United States in recent years. and reoriented their outlook toward our country and away from the mainland. When the Armed Forces Movement took over in Portugal last year. many Azoreans expected that conditions would improve on the islands. and that their rights of autonomy would return.