Word: gursel
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Chaos & Coups. The aim of General Cemal Gursel's coup had been to eliminate financial chaos and corruption, invigorate the stagnant economy, restore political liberty. While the ghost of the hanged Menderes still haunted the nation, the army returned the country to civilian rule last October and sponsored parliamentary elections that made Gursel President, but failed to provide a stable majority to enact essential reforms. The result is a freakish two-party coalition government that joins the army-favored Republican People's Party of Premier Ismet Inonu with its archenemies, the political heirs of Menderes gathered...
...political deadlock frustrated a group of young army officers and cadets who, in February, tried a coup but were quickly crushed by the regime. Nevertheless, the meaning of the young Turks' impatience was plain. Warns President Gursel earnestly: "For six months not a single issue of importance has been dealt with. The present situation cannot continue indefinitely. Either the nation's affairs will be led into a rational channel, or other means will be sought...
Plans & Problems. The government can take credit for some rational accomplishments. Determined to level extremes of wealth by heavy taxation ("Just as it is done in the U.S.," says Gursel), it has pushed a law through Parliament requiring an honest declaration of assets-previously unimaginable in Turkey. The measure has increased tax receipts by a modest $60 million a year...
...growth rate of 7% (current U.S. rate: about 3%). But the plan is not scheduled to get under way until next March. Like so many other nations, Turkey seems to think that association with the thriving Common Market, for which it has applied, will solve its economic troubles. Says Gursel: "Membership in NATO is meaningless without membership in the Common Market...
Five weeks after indecisive Turkish elections substituted shaky civilian rule for a military junta, the nation still had no functioning government. But after prodding by Junta Strongman Cemal Gursel, now President, squabbling politicians last week finally formed a Cabinet, result of a shotgun wedding between the two parties that most strenuously campaigned against each other and then received an almost equal share of the popular vote...