PORTUGAL: The Rebels' Second Coup

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In Lisbon, they called them os homens sem sonho: the men who never sleep. They worked night and day, much to the dismay of more conventional politicians and bureaucrats addicted to Portugal's leisurely working hours and three-hour lunches, and they seemed equally tireless in keeping their identities hidden. Last week the young officers of the Armed Forces Movement, the rebel group that overthrew the regime of Marcello Caetano last April and ended half a century of dictatorial rule in Portugal, finally decided to flex their muscles publicly. In short order, the men of A.F.M. forced the resignation of civilian Prime Minister Adeline da Palma Carlos, a moderate, and got their own man installed as his successor. They then presided over the appointment of a new military-dominated Cabinet. As one Lisbon newspaper editor observed, "The young officers have carried out a second coup d'état. "

Obscure Choice. The swift turn of events climaxed the most uncertain week in Lisbon since the April coup and came as something of a rebuff to General António de Spinola, 64, the soldier-hero who has served since then as provisional President and has allowed an unprecedented measure of political freedom. Spinola's choice for Prime Minister after Palma Carlos' ouster had been conservative Defense Minister Lieut. Colonel Mario Firmino Miguel. Instead, the A.F.M. chose one of its own: an obscure army colonel, Vasco dos Santos Gonçalves, 53, a left-leaning officer-engineer and chief ideologist for the A.F.M. Later in the week, Spinola announced the new 16-member Cabinet. Though Spinola had never been an active member of the A.F.M., he was pushed into power by the group because of his great prestige, and obviously still retains considerable clout.

The new Cabinet maintains a semblance of the revolutionary government's political coloration, but civilian representation has been pared down. Socialist Leader Mario Scares remains as Foreign Minister, while the Communists' Alvaro Cunhal continues as a minister without portfolio. The Communists, however, lost the important labor post to a young air force captain, who presumably will be more inclined to take a tough stand against demands for higher wages. The Popular Democrats, a left-center party that had two portfolios in the old Cabinet, now have only one post.

Seven key positions, including Labor, Internal Affairs and Mass Communication, go to military men.

In addition, Spinola announced the formation of a new security force, COP-CON (for Commando Operacional do Continente), which will have the power to intervene to maintain order. Heading COPCON will be left-leaning Brigadier General Otelo Saraiva de Carvahlho, 37, the audacious young firebrand who organized the April revolution down to the tons of red carnations that suddenly blossomed all over the country as the rebels' symbol.

Spinola said that the changes will mean "a new phase with more discipline" and "reinforced authority." Even though the young officers lean to the left —and the events last week were interpreted as a triumph of the left over the right in the military—they have a reputation for being strict disciplinarians.