Turkish Cabinet Resignations

Press, Volume C, Issue 29624, 21 September 1961, Page 21

Turkish Cabinet Resignations

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, September 20. The wherte Turkish Cabinet resigned in a body 24 hours after the execution of the former Prime Minister, Adnan Menderes, but all the resignations except one were taken back after insistence by the head of State, General Gursel, said “The Times” Istanbul correspondent.

The Foreign Minister (Mr Selim Sarper) is said to have insisted on quitting his post and is omsidered as having resigned. But whether the resignations were connected with the executions of Menderes and his companions is not confirmed. “The executions seem to have left the Turkish people either stunned or completely unmoved.” said the correspondent. “In his days of power and for months after his fall, Menderes was immensely popular in many parts of the country: yet in spite of black headlines six inches high in the press announcing his execution and photographs of the body hanging from gallows, not a tear seems to have been shed, at least in public. “In the 48 hours between sentence and execution not a finger seems to have been lifted anywhere in Turkey to save him.” “What is the reason? The Turks are undemonstrative people. Furthermore, martial law is in force and strictest security measures have been taken. A ban on all public discussion about the trials on the pain of severe penalties has been imposed by the

Military Government. . Any public demonsitration for Menderes. even one of grief, is dangerous.” the newspaper said Services’ Opposition "Foreign circles are for most part openly shocked. It is reliably reported there was not a majority in favour of the executions in the ruling junta, the National Unity Committee, when it reviewed the death sentences. The junta came up against opnosition of the Army and Air Force. especially among younger officers, who are reported to have threatened to take direct action if their demand for the executions were refused.

“The junta was finally obliged to compromise at three executions, the minimum required to buy off the armed forces.

“The hardening of opinion inside the Army is believed due to growing anxiety among the leaders of the revolution at the recent activities of political parties “The executions were probably intended as a warning to the so called reactionary elements that subversive activities will not be tolerated," the correspondent said. *