A Whiff of Freedom for the Oldest Empire.

The article discusses the struggle of Portugal, considered as the first and the last great European empire, to obtain freedom from the totalitarian regime of Premier Marcello Caetano and establish a democratic government. It states that the move to eradicate the totalitarian government was led and controlled by army officers. It notes that the war had cost 40% of the nation's 1.3 billion-dollar annual budget, claimed the lives of 250 Portuguese troops and caused frustration in the army. It further cites the assurance of military junta to abolish eliminate the hated secret police and grant full civil liberties in the country.