Afm Moves Right

Scan page 2

The continuing strength and confidence of the working class, especially of the rank and file soldiers and sailors, remains the most powerful motor of the Portuguese Revolution. This is still the case despite the efforts of the military dictators of the Armed Forces Movement to balance between the competing social classes.

They lurch uncertainly from the short-lived fifth provisional government since the overthrow of fascism to the unstable political combinations necessary from them to set up a sixth. In their efforts to shore up the capitalist state that still remains, the military will find willing allies in the leaders of the Communist and Socialist parties.

As these efforts continue, the forces of counter-revolution continue to gather. There can be no doubt fascist militias are preparing themselves in Spain, and possibly France. They have clearly been involved in some of the anticommunist and anti-trade union rioting that has taken place.

Encouraged by these developments, the discredited leader of the last counter-coup attempt, axGeneral Spinola, is currently touring Europe to win support of his own Peaceful Co-existence: Chou En Lai with Nixon working class.

Since the overthrow of proStalinist Prime Minister Vasco Gonzalves, efforts have been made to consolidate the hold of the more openly pro-capitalist sections of the Armed Forces Movement. The right wing leaders of the 'Group of Nine', Antunes and Alves, have been re-admitted into the ruling body of the movement.

Efforts are being made to bring the bourgeois PPD and other rightwing parties, into the new administration. In a clear effort to influence the situation, EEC foreign ministers meeting at Venice, inspired apparently by British foreign secretary Callaghan, have offered to loan £80 million to a 'suitable administration'.

Mean while, the American monopolists of the multi-national Party cells throughout the country. through Lisbon shouting such slogans as 'Soldiers are not cannon fodder!', and 'We will turn our guns against the bourgeoisie' . A further demonstration on 12th. September included other sections of the armed forces and indicated that this resistance is continuing.

CENSORSHIP

Efforts to impose press censorship also met of course with opposition from the press itself, including the well-known daily paper Diaro de Lisboa which is close to the Communist Party, and the Republica which now reflects the views of political movements to the left of the Stalinists.

The largest and most open defiance of the various AFM bans inevitably fail. The Spinolists anc their friends are still waiting ir the wings.

Social democratic leader Soare: is said to have asserted tha Spinola could return to the countr! "providing he obeys the law". Thi Stalinists try still to find allie: among all supporters of thi bourgeois state and they retain thi confidence of the new Primi Minister Azevada.

The workers, soldiers and smal farmers of Portugal will have t break from such leaders as thes before they will be able i guarantee the democratic right which they have been tenaciousl defending, as well as the socialis revolution which alone can guarat tee the gains that have so fa been made.