revolution

Greece. The cradle of democracy exercised its birthright last week-end, voting by a 90 per cent majority to abolish the monarchy and replace it with a constitutional republic. Sound progressive?

The plebescite was actually to ratify a decision made several months ago by right-wing dictator George Papadopoulous, who has ruled the country since he and his cohorts seized power in a 1967 coup.

A blizzard of pro-government propaganda accompanied the vote, while many of the opposition leaders are either in exile or were not permitted to speak out.

And even if the government had lost, it retained the option to continue in power and resubmit the proposal at a later date. With those odds, Jimmy the Greek probably found few takers for bets that Papadopolous would lose.

Portugal. The outcry against Portuguese colonial policy in Africa continued last week, while the official news organs of dictator Marcello Caetano denying all allegations of atrocities. The week before, several thousand British demonstrators protested during a Caetano visit to England's Conservative prime minister Heath.

Cambodia. Counting today, Lon Nol has little more than 16 days left in power. Both the American bomber pilots and Prince Sihanouk and the Khmer Rouge will be back home very very soon.