Rui Moreira and TAP: “Costa has not reassured me” – TSF Online

The mayor of Porto confesses that he was not reassured by what he heard from the Prime Minister’s mouth about the future TAP . . I was perplexed before the conversation and says so still

Rui Moreira writes in the book “TAP – Black Box” that still did not understand the justification for the current government to privatize the company. It evokes two reasons. “The fact that the state remains exposed to the debt of the company” and not yet understood “what reacquired the country in strategic terms”

In the final chapter of the book, which is today presented in Porto, Rui Moreira says that the idea of ​​the government to partially reverse the privatization, passed through “to control better the strategic options of TAP, does not understand that does not have a say on the commercial operation of the company, in their routes and operations, unless they “agree with the path that is being followed.”

Rui Moreira regrets that, in this process, the deputies elected by the North and Center if they have not united, not have been able to put aside partisan differences;. and directs then another critical to Lisbon, strictly speaking, to the published opinion that in the mayoral assessment, “originates almost exclusively in the capital”

Rui Moreira recalls that suffered many attacks, but admits that it did not surprise him. it recognizes that “any capital worth its salt does everything not to give up power,” and that in the case of Lisbon, “this tic is even more evident because you miss be the capital of an empire that left. “

at the conclusion of this book, written in co-authorship with Nuno Nogueira Santos, Rui Moreira admits he does not know what will happen to TAP, described as” the last of the companies colonial “, but one risk prediction. Says that fears that “we are witnessing the end of the TAP”, which will prove that “the company’s options are wrong” and that in the end are the taxpayers to pay “their massive passive” and end up “more poor, no glory and no flag carrier. “

the TSF is here pre-publication of some of the end of the book chapter excerpts, the” Conclusion “.

There will always be those who do not like to hear the claims of Porto.

This annoyance, tinged with some sleaze, was visible in recent weeks and in several opinion columns.

so, for the same reason, there will be those who, reading this book, olvide arguments, ignore the facts here are depicted, and ensure that this it is only a self-justification exercise.

 And there will also be, of course, those who exalt and insurja without even bothering to read it. For these, and in the unlikely event of passing eyes for these lines, I would remember that what is at stake is not just about a city or a region. Concerns Portugal.

 (…)

 There were many attacks? Yes, it is true, and regular, because the published opinion originates almost exclusively in the capital. And face it, our capital is not, even in this respect, an exception. Any self-respecting capital and our prizes up as needed, does everything in their power not to give up power.

 And in the case of our capital, this tic is even more evident because you miss being the capital of an empire that has abandoned.

 (…)

 The truth is I finish this book without knowing for sure what will happen. Not wanting to be right, I fear we are witnessing the end of the TAP. I fear that at the end of this operation, and when it is established that the options of the company are wrong, we will be called upon to pay, as taxpayers, its liabilities gigantic and end up, then, the poor, no glory and no flag carrier.

 (…)

 As for the other contours, my perplexity remains, despite all the contacts. I did not realize what the justification to privatize a company if the state does not guarantee their debt exposure; nor I understood what was reacquired in strategic terms.

 That is what I have been told by Mr. Prime Minister António Costa has not reassured me. If the government remains the intention of the partial reversal of privatization, can better control the strategic options of TAP, does not understand that does not have a say in the commercial operation of the company in its routes and operations. Unless, of course, agree with the path that is being followed.

 (…)

 Objectively, and regardless of what will be the evolution of the market, the macroeconomic impact of this paradigm shift is very clear. The transaction announced will accelerate the depletion of the Portela airport, which hardly meets any national strategic concept when you know that Porto and Faro have available capacity, and contribute to the emptying of the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, reducing its hinterland and fostering the airport that is closest to you, outside our borders.

 (…)

 What was missing, again, the Port and the North was a support of party forces in its representation in Parliament. Again, the deputies elected by the Northern and Central circles were not able to put aside their party differences.

 It is also true that this time, some of the elites of the region abstained, spoke little and softly. I understand that is not available to be rescinded and offended, but it would be important not to forget that their civic participation remains essential.

 (…)

 The truth is that regardless of the pressure, we enlighten people. And this book is part of that our commitment to provide citizens with the argument that need not to let stay.

 The North can not continue to be looked upon with contempt by the powers, entrenched in the capital, Porto look with paternalism, arrogance and spite.

 (…)

 So this war was worth it; because the port can not accept candy, when what should you is more. It was worth it because whenever they want to make a return to the Port evil will hear my voice and will hesitate. So this war was worth it. And not over.