World Notes Brazil

The occasion was to be a historic one: the inauguration of Brazil's first civilian President after more than 21 years of military rule. Elaborate festivities were planned, and dignitaries from more than 100 countries, including Vice President George Bush, were on hand in the capital, Brasilia. Then came word that Tancredo Neves, 75, the genial politician who was scheduled to don the green-and-yellow presidential sash in the modernistic Planalto Palace, had been hospitalized. Ten and one-half hours before his scheduled March 15 swearing-in, Neves underwent emergency surgery for Meckel's diverticulum, an intestinal ailment. The two-hour operation was a success, but the President-to-be was confined to his hospital bed.

Momentarily fazed, the Brazilians decided to go ahead with the transfer of power anyway, if in a less exuberant fashion. Inauguration parades were canceled, but Neves' Vice President, Jose Sarney, 54, took his oath of office as planned. Sarney then swore in Neves' 28-member Cabinet and prepared to serve as acting President until Neves finally takes his own oath, possibly this week.