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CONTENTS
Portuguaaa Social Ut Party Supports Gameral Eanea for
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SEb^ET
the announcement of support today by Socialist Party laadar Mario Soaxet, Army Chiaf of Staff General Ramalho Eanes has no* emerged as the clear front-runner in the presidential election on Banes is assured of the backing of the three major democratic parties as well as most of che operational military, but he may yettiff challenge from left-leaning Prime Minister Pinheiro de Axevedo.
In announcing the Socialises endorsement of Eanes, Soares said that although both the Popular Democrats aid the Social Democratic Center Party were also backing the general, the Socialist Party had reached no agreement with either group and still intended toinority government. Soares also denied having extracted any promise from Eanes to back this move in exchange for his party's support.
Eanes in fact still has not declaredandidate. Be has delayed announcing in order to sound out the views of military colleagues concerning his oandidacy. Be reportedly has succeeded inthe solid support of key officers in both the army and air force and is expected toormal announcement by this weekend.
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Eanes has been reluctant to give up his prosent powerful position and his military career for the vagaries of elected office. He has expressed concern that efforts over the past few months to restore discipline and purge Communist sympathizers from the army could be undone if he leaves his post.
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GEGRET
rime Minister Azevedo issued aon Monday refuting press stories saying that he is supporting Banes. The communique, rejecting theingle military candidate, indicated that Azevedo would probably announce hisew days.
A- electoral confrontation between Eanes andavy admiral, carries with it some risk of splitting the armed forces, but it avoids the problem of having only ono viable candidate. Both military and civilian leaders have been concerned that the presidential election wouldilitary candidate ran unopposed.
Azevedo's challenge muat be taken seriously in lightecent opinion poll which showed him to be much better known than Eanes, who has preferred to work quietly behind the scenes. With Eanesarray of military and party support, however, heood chance of overcoming this disadvantage between now and the election.
The Communist Party has yet to endorse any candidate and might find Azevedo preferable to Eanea, although President Costa Gomes is probably their first choice within the military. Open Communist support for any candidate, however, would be moreetriment than advantage.
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Original document.
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