Brasília, July 18, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Nations (CPLP), at their session, yesterday (17), in Coimbra (Portugal), called on the military officers who took over power on Wednesday in San Tomé and Principe to release all detainees immediately. The Ministers also condemned the interrumption of the country's democratic regime.

Among the people being held by the Military Junta for National Salvation, led by Major Fernando Pereira Cobó, is the Prime Minister, Maria das Neves.

The Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Celso Amorim; Angola, João Bernardo de Miranda; Cape Verde, Fátima Veiga; Mozambique, Leonardo Simão; Portugal, Antônio Martins da Cruz; East Timor, José Ramos Horta; and San Tomé and Principe, Mateus Meira Rita, urged the rebels to take steps for the immediate and unconditional restoration of democratic institutions.

The Ministers, who met yesterday morning to analyze the situation in San Tomé and Principe, also expressed their firm desire to contribute to the speedy institutional normalization of the country, coordinating their efforts with African regional bodies. They declared their willingness to establish a mission to find a solution to the crisis in San Tomé and Principe. (DAS)