On the eve of his inauguration as Brazil's President on March 15, Tancredo Neves underwent emergency surgery for diverticulitis, an inflammation of the intestinal tract. The operation was judged a success, but five days later Neves was back in surgery. The second operation, last week, was to remove adhesions that prevented the bowel from functioning and caused a buildup of gas and swelling. Doctors predicted afterward that Neves, 75, would recover fully but slowly. One physician reportedly told the President-elect, "You need to get better." Replied Neves: "I don't need to. I must."
His countrymen would agree. Without the Great Conciliator,...
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