1.
GV PAN DOWN Republica news-paper office and crowd in street
0.11

2.
SV Demonstrators
0.14

3.
SV PAN FROM Demonstrators to troops on guard (2 shots)
0.27

4.
CU Statuette PAN TO Posters
0.37

5.
TGV Maoists gathering in square
0.40

6.
SV Demonstrators marching through streets (3 shots)
0.58



Initials BJB/0030 BJB/0040



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Portuguese government closed down one of the few remaining non-communist newspapers in Lisbon yesterday (May 20), at a time of mounting crisis between Communists and Socialists.

Republica, the evening newspaper, was temporarily closed down after a tug-of-war between Socialist journalists and Communist printers for its control.

The minister of Information, Commander Jorge Correia Jesuino, personally intervened and ordered the printers to be evacuated in armoured cars -- accusing Socialist demonstrators, headed by party leader Mario Soares, of causing public disorders by keeping up a vigil outside.

In retaliation, the Socialists threatened to resign from the government unless the Communists end their encroachment of the press, trade unions and local administration.

Simultaneously yesterday, Maoists called for a mass anti government rally in Lisbon, prolonging the wave of demonstrations that has cast doubts on the authority wielded by the country's military rulers. About 4,000 Maoists marched on government headquarters shouting "Death to the CIA and KGB" and "Arms for the people."