TURKISH CRISIS

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33158, 23 February 1973, Page 9

TURKISH CRISIS

Military intervenes (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright i ■ ANKARA, Feb. 22. Turkey’s military leaders intervened again today in the country’s political life to demand new laws to ensure honest General Elections. A statement from the Supreme Command Council, which includes all the Chiefs of Staff, criticised the behaviour of some politicians, saying that they had no sense of responsibility. It mentioned especially the former Prime Minister, Mr Demirel, who, “because of his peculiar behaviour,” had I not accepted an invitation | last week to hold talks with I military leaders on the present national crisis. Mr Demirel, who is the ’leader of the majority bustice Party, was forced to ’resign from the Prime Ministership in March, 1971. j when the generals threatened to take power unless an | “above-party politics” government was formed, and t tough measures were taken against Left-wing terrorism. ! Since then, Turkey has been ; ruled by a series of shaky coalition governments. The Supreme Command | Council’s statement, broadcast over the national i service radio, said that last week the military leaders had | discussions with political ’party leaders, aimed at finding ways of implementing the reforms demanded by the military two years ago; of ending direct and indirect attacks on the armed forces; and of changing the election laws to reflect the national will and to ensure honest elections.”