Generals tighten grip after initial success

Press, 23 September 1980, Page 8

Generals tighten grip after initial success

NZPA-Reuter Ankara After their first full week in power since ousting the civilian Government, Turkey’s military coup leaders have achieved their immediate aims. They acted swiftly on the twin "challenges, to theirj troubled country — theytemporarily halted the politi-i cal violence which threatened to develop into civil; war and embraced the stri-; ngent economic policies of! the old Government aimedat wrenching Turkey out of its economic crisis. The ruling National Security Council, chaired by the Army chief of staff (General Kenan Evren) and including the Navy, Air Force. Army, and Gendarmerie commanders, also fulfilled one of their first promises by appointing a Prime Minister. Their selection was retired Admiral Bulent Ulusu, who stood down as Navy chief in August and whom they know and trust as a close colleague. Mr Ultisu, an unassuming man who according to diplomats would not have sought the Prime Ministership, quickly set about forming a Cabinet, which included former military men and a number of civilian bureaucrats not involved with political parties. As much as was possible in Turkey, which is polarised between Left . and Right, Mr Ulusu sought apolitical men not aligned with any particular faction. Within hours of the. coup on the morning of September 12, the military leaders extended martial law, already in force in 20 of 67 provinces, to cover the whole country.-

The success of the increased patrols and detention of hundreds of suspects was quickly felt. Reliable reports said 99 people died in inter-factional strife in the week before the coup. In the following week only four Ideaths were recorded. i At the week-end the genlerals gave themselves toughI er powers under martial law las their grip on the country j tightened. Regional martial-law commanders were given authority to monitor mail, shut down or censor publications, ban meetings, order an end to strikes, lock-outs, or other' union activities, and shut down printing presses. In addition the commanders could dismiss or transfer State or municipal employees and control businesses and. shops dealing in essential goods. In effect the military were given virtually a free hand to act in local communities whenever “it is necessary to maintain public order.” Stiff prison sentences were introduced for spreading rumours about martial law and giving false information at an identity check. Although the break in the violence brought welcome relief, it was a disconcerting week for most Turks. The reality of Turkey’s economic crisis was brought home by a decision to increase the prices on oil, sugar, and fertiliser. The increases underlined the commitment of the new authorities to the austerity programme in force since the beginning of the year and urged on the country by Western Governments. The policy, introduced by<

Turgut Ozal. the chief .economic planner and adviser to the ousted Rightwing Prime Minister, Suleyman Demirel. called for successive price rises and devaluations of the Turkish lira as shock therapy. The new rulers emphasised the point by making Mr Ozal a Deputy Prime Minister. Inflation has dropped from a monthly 29.2 per cent it February to less than 1 per cent in July. In response to the policies international organisations like the International Monetary Fund, the European Economic Community, and Western Governments have promised more than $6OOO million in loans and debt rescheduling. General Evren has pledged to return the country to democratic rule as soon as is feasible, but he made it clear he wanted reforms in the Constitution first. These would be aimed at preventing the kind of parliamentary stalemate and political paralysis which characterised recent civilian governments. The general roundly condemned the politicians for bickering among themselves while the economy deteriorated and the gunfights spread. The Ruling Council has underlined its intention to clamp down on any attempt to undermine the secular nature of the State. More than 90 per cent of the population are Muslims, but religion and the State administration were split under the reforms of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey who founded . the republic and became ifs ’ first President in 1923.