Evening star., 1962-05-22

SCAlII al 4dCI VI pOllLlCdl lie III
Turkey today. 1t is also the
most powerful card in Mr.. mo
NUS hand forcing some measure
Of cooperation on the unwilling
coalition.
Menderes' Tactics Reviewed
In the meantime, however,
the country is in a state of
permanent unrest which pre-
vents the accomplishment of
Urgent Government business. To
keep this unrest under control,
Mr.. Inonu has resorted to a
series of harsh restrictions,
known as the Measures Law
which make it illegal to criti-
cize the revolution, the junta
or the military, or to defend the
record of the old regime. Many
Turks who argue the necessity
Of the Measures Law today are
painfully aware that it is ex-
actly the kind Of law for which
MendereS was hanged.
Even with such measures, 1t
has not been easy to keep the
lid on the cauldron. Contro-
versy over the amnesty for the
officers of the February %
putsch brought to a head the
larger issue Of amnesty for
members Of the old regime still
serving prison sentences S.
Though this problem seems
likely to be settled by COM
promise "a partial amnesty
which would not amount to
outright Reputation of the rev.
olution other more difficult
questions remain unsolved.
With business at a standstill
and capital in hiding, Turkey
is rapidly approaching an eco
nomic crisis that demands
energetic action by the govern
ment. Drastic economic and
social reforms are needed to
get the country back on the
rails. But there Is no evidence
that the government, paralyzed
by its own internal divisions,
will be able to supply them.
'R1gged" Election Urged
It is q situation for which
there are no easy answers. New
elections-at least honest ones
are hardly a solution, since
the results would be almost
certain to widen the existing
splits that put the army in an
even more awkward situation.
Some Turks argue seriously
in favor of a new electoral law
which would rig the results Of
an election by system OF pro-
portional representation along
European lines. Others suggest
a literacy qualification which
would automatically eliminate
the large majority of rural
(pro-Menderes) voters. Either
solution would mean the end
of effective democracy in Tur-
key, which is the oldest democ-
racy in the Middle East.
The alternative, however, may |
be some form Of authoritarian
rule based on the power Of the
army. Many Turks favor this
as at least q temporary way
out Of the current dilemma.
The army is less enthusiastic,
having learned over the course
of 10 months that it Is easier
to seize power than to govern
a country.
There Is also the problem Of
leadership. Apart from the
aging Mr.. Inonu, no outstand-
ing strongmen have appeared
on the horizon to lead an ex-
pertinent in dictatorial rule. In
more extreme circles, the name
of Alpaslan Turkish is mem
toned with some frequency.
But the prospect of a racist-
Fascist radical coming to power
is anything but reassuring to
Turkey and its allies.
Peasant Rising Seen
There is finally another
danger in any drastic change
in the present stu ation.
Already the peasantry of the
country has shown its dis
pleasure with the course of
events by systematic sabotage
of the governments agricul-
tural program, refusing to plant
the required acreage and burn
ing crops.
There have even been open
clashes such as occurred re-
Gently at Mardin near the
Syrian frontier when several
thousand peasants attacked
army and police units at a
football match. Many observ-
ers are convinced that any new
seizure of power by the military