The World: Straight Talk From an Admiral

Shortly after Premier José Batista Pinheiro de Azevedo took office last month, Portuguese Socialists dubbed him “the admiral without fear. “A warm, outgoing man with ruddy skin, thick hands and peasant features, Pinheiro de Azevedo, 58, does not much like the nickname but concedes: “In some ways it is correct because when I have a decision in my head, I put it into action immediately. ” Last week, at his office in Lisbon ‘s São Bento palace, Pinheiro de Azevedo talked candidly about some of the decisions he faces with TIME Correspondent George Taber. It was the first interview that the Premier has given to an American journalist. Excerpts from the conversation:

HIS DISCIPLINE PROGRAM. I believe my way is correct. I do not like to use pressure in this way. I don’t like pressure, especially on the press. But I believe it is necessary to explain thoroughly to our people what we are doing and what is best for them. We must do this very quickly. If we wait more than one week, military discipline can break down very suddenly. If [our] army breaks down, we will have no army, and after that we will have no force, and after that we will have no authority and no government. All steps run together. Restoring discipline at this moment is our No. 1 problem. The economic difficulty is as important as discipline, but today I must get discipline in the right place. We are very anxious about the future of our revolution. I think if the government can’t get the confidence of the soldiers it is not possible to go ahead with the revolution.

POLITICAL SITUATION. Lisbon is further down the road to the revolution. In Lisbon, the best workers, the best politicians and the best military men come together.

It is different in the countryside. The men are not as politicized. They have worked in agriculture and they are very religious. They are poor men. They are also our concern. I don’t say they are better or worse; we must also have their support. It is not easy [for them] to change suddenly. We must be patient. There are two countries in [Portuguese] politics: Lisbon and outside Lisbon.

There is still a danger of armed conflict within the army. I am quite certain that the [right-wing forces] are interested in setting the best units we have against each other.

THE LONGEVITY OF HIS GOVERNMENT. It is too early to say how long my government will last. In my opinion, it is not now going in a good direction. The left in Portugal is unhappy. They believe the government is too far to the right. And it is necessary to do something about this because the government is not of the right. I intend to convince them with action. On subjects like agrarian reform, I am quite sure that just talking is the wrong way to resolve things. Action is the only way.

HIS GOVERNMENT’S RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY. I talk often with the leaders of the Communist Party. I am not quite sure that they support me very strongly. But they like me. I explain to them everything I think. That is why they like to hear me. I am quite certain that they support me sufficiently. Not very strongly but strongly enough so that I can work with them. The Communist Party is not yet dangerous. All Communist parties can become dangerous, but it is not now. The Italian, French and Spanish Communist parties are now mild. But in the future? We don’t know. Portugal has the same problem.

ON RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. AND WESTERN EUROPE. Our relations with the U.S. are beginning to improve. If I can run my country one month more like this, I am quite certain that the relations between us and the U.S. and Europe will be much better. But we must stay one month more. The apprehension in the U.S. from the time of my predecessor is a little weaker but not completely gone.