Word: cemal
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Turkey seemed calm but uneasy. Since the execution of ex-Premier Adnan Menderes, ex-Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan, and ex-Foreign Minister Fatin Rustu Zorlu, for "crimes against the Turkish constitution" (TIME, Sept. 22), the big question was whether Strongman Cemal Gursel would allow free elections to take place, as promised, next month. Cryptically last week, he warned of "provocative elements" that might prevent the election. Obviously disturbed by the executions, the entire Cabinet reportedly offered its resignation, then agreed to stay on at Gursel's insistence...
When General Cemal Gursel and his military junta put Menderes & Co. on trial last year after seizing power from them in a bloodless coup, the legal case against the ex-Premier and his associates was based on the Turkish penal code, which can prescribe death for those who "attempt by force to change, replace or abrogate the Constitution." There is no doubt that by vast, showy projects and wild fiscal extravagance, Menderes had brought Turkey close to ruin, and consistently tried to hide the fact by severe press censorship and high-handed rule. But many Turks wondered whether the death...
...guarantee of the right to strike. As the pundits saw it, some "no" voters wanted to show their disapproval of the Republicans; others felt that a vote against the constitution might save Menderes & Co. from the gallows; still others were trying to voice dissatisfaction with the regime of General Cemal Gursel, whose military coup had thrown the Menderes government out of power in May 1960. Reportedly, some Menderes supporters in rural areas campaigned for "no" votes by telling credulous peasants that a "yes" would bring to power an infidel named "Mister Referendum." who would close mosques, substitute Christianity for Islam...
Seven months ago, when Turkey's Strongman General Cemal Gursel ordered the leaders of the deposed regime of Adnan Menderes to stand trial, expectation was that their cases would be wrapped up expeditiously, the junta's revolt against the Menderes government vindicated neatly, and Menderes & Co. put out of the way conveniently. But by last week, the i sth trial on Yassiada Island ended inconclusively, the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th trials were under way, the 1,000th witness took the stand to give testimony, and the Turks were frankly tired of the whole thing...
Unvindicated morally, facing a growing though still underground challenge, the junta is in a quandary. Its members are committed by Cemal Gursel's word to hold free elections by October at the latest. But if they hang Menderes and Bayar, how will the predictably sharpened rancor among Democrats weigh in the election? Cynics suggest that the junta should have shot Menderes and Bayar as soon as they got their hands on them. Sighed an Istanbul businessman: "The greatest error was attempting to carry out the trials in a legal...