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...year-old President, Américo Thomaz, retreated to the barracks of a loyal regiment of lancers. Before surrendering, Caetano, in an effort to preserve the dignity of the state, asked if he could formally turn over the powers of his office to General António de Spínola, the spiritual leader of the rebellion, rather than let the government "fall in the streets." Spínola, who claimed to be aloof from the plotting, replied that he would have to consult the junior officers who had led the coup. "I am not the leader of this movement...
...cheers of a waiting crowd, Spínola, who had been one of the country's best guerrilla fighters, entered Republican National Guard headquarters for what was reportedly a polite, even friendly talk with Caetano, who had governed Portugal since 1968 when Dictator António de Oliveira Salazar suffered a stroke. (Salazar died in 1970.) To emphasize the continuity of power despite the coup, the general went to Lisbon's Portela Airport the next morning to bid farewell to Caetano, Thomaz and their senior Cabinet Ministers; they were jetted to exile on the tourist island of Madeira...
...nation's $1.3 billion annual budget, claimed the lives of some 250 Portuguese troops every year, and caused profound frustration in the army, which felt that it was trapped in an unwinnable battle. Disenchantment with the Caetano government's colonial policy climaxed in February when Spínola added his prestigious name to those of the dissenters with his book against the war. Young officers enthusiastically echoed Spínola's criticisms and in March even attempted an ineffectual coup that was smashed within hours. They were better prepared this time...
...Carnations. Lisbon reacted like a liberated city. People joked with the soldiers guarding the main streets and squares, and long stemmed red carnations, a symbol of support for the army, appeared everywhere. Cheers and hurrahs greeted every mention of Spínola's name. Appointed to the seven-man ruling junta group that he clearly dominated, Spínola went on television with his colleagues to promise free elections "as soon as possible," a phrase later defined as some time within the next year. They also pledged to abolish the hated secret police in Portugal itself and grant full...
...police or the soldiers would do. For the moment the authorities did nothing. The city police had been withdrawn for their own protection, so that mobs would not mistake them for the odious D.G.S. men and lynch them, and army troops stood idly by. It was doubtful, however, that Spínola, who was somewhat alarmed at the city's mood, would let the leftists do more than march and sing. There seemed little chance that the army's coup would be captured by the left...