Be Strong to Avoid War, Reagan Warns Portuguese Leaders

President Reagan, lashing out at Soviet and Nicaraguan leaders, declared today that Western nations must remain militarily strong “so that never again would we be forced . . . to resort to violence” to safeguard liberty.

Citing threats of Soviet aggression that have persisted since the end of World War II, Reagan rejected criticism from Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev and accused Nicaragua of “interfering with democracy in the Americas.”

Arriving at Sao Bento Palace for talks with Prime Minister Mario Soares, the President had harsh words for Gorbachev. At a Kremlin rally Wednesday marking the 40th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Soviet leader called the United States “the forward edge of the war menace to mankind.”

Asked what he thought of Gorbachev’s speech, Reagan replied, “What I usually think of him.” When a reporter said Gorbachev had called him a menace to mankind, the President snapped, “Who is he to talk?”

Reagan also lashed out at Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Told that Ortega, who is touring Eastern Europe, had called for an end to U.S. interference in Nicaragua, Reagan replied: “We are not interfering. They’re interfering with democracy in the Americas.”

Moscow ‘His Patron Saint’

The President said he was not surprised that Ortega visited Moscow last week. “That’s his patron saint,” Reagan said.

Later, at lunch with Soares at the 14th-Century National Palace in the Serra de Sintra mountain area north of the capital, Reagan said that when he returns to Washington on Friday, the Administration will begin a review of its strategy to help rebel contra guerrillas in their battle against the leftist Sandinista government.

About 40 Communist Party delegates to Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic walked out of the chamber before Reagan delivered the final major speech of his 10-day European tour today, after he conferred with Soares.

The President ad-libbed to the remaining delegates, “I’m sorry that some of the chairs on the left seem to be uncomfortable.”

At another point in his address, which was warmly applauded by the 250-member Assembly, Reagan interjected that the meaning of democracy included “the right to speak, to assemble, to publish and to vote, even to walk out.”

Congratulates Portugal

The President congratulated Portugal for turning away from 42 years of dictatorial rule to embrace democracy, and criticized communist societies.

He said it is in “the collectivist world that economies stagnate, that technology is lagging and that people are oppressed and unhappy with their lives.”

After the speech, the Communists issued a statement saying their walkout was intended to display their “indignation and repulse as to Mr. Reagan’s presence, especially after his homage to Nazi criminals, members of the SS, in the cemetery of Bitburg.”