TURKEY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0002036767
• Release Decision: IPPUB U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 28, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-01912
• Publication Date: June 29, 1960

:(b)(1 )ine 1960
Cot
(b)(3)
TURKEY
I. The military regime which took over in Turkey five weeks ago (27
May) remains in firm control; however, personality and policy
conflicts within the controlling National Unity Committee constitute
a potential threat to the provisional government and to domestic
stability.
A. The first major schism appeared in mid-June when twelve members
of the Committee's original 50 either withdrew or were dropped
when they disagreed on the question of a public oath pledging
the return of government to a duly elected parliament.
Remaining members of the Committee have since taken such a
public oath.
1. Some participants in the coup have charged that recent
publication of the names of the Committee members was a
breach of faith, in that by oath it had been agreed all
would remain anonymous.
B. There are also suggestions of personal jealousy among prominent
officers on the Committee and the possible development of an
internal struggle for power.
II. Leaders of the regime still insist they will hold early elections
and restore civil authority as soon as possible. It does not appea:
likely, however, that national elections will be possible before
early 1961.
A. To delay elections beyond early 1961 might generate another
explosive situation.
APPROVED FOR
RELEASEL DATE:
19-Sep-2011
---7ii GfCG
D 'MENT NJ.
 B. The military regime,A.iag discredited the Democratic party
leadershipp now faces the problem of encouraging a balanced
political situation by,-promoting the growt of another
effective second party.
C. At the same time the leadership of the Republican Peoples'
Party of Ismet Inonu, now the strongest party and probably the
winner in any early election, is worried over its deteriorating
relations with the Military Committee.
1. Some leaders of the Committee strongly oppose Inonu's
return to power and they may foster a new political movement.
2. Elections under a system of proportional representation, as
currently planned, could result in a weak coalition type
government marked by friction and increasing dissension.
III. Meanwhile the interim government is trying to find early solutions
to the many political, economic, and administrative problems. It
is somewhat unsure of itself and regards even minor criticism as
opposition. It is apparently uneasy over possible popular and
military disaffection.
A. Accordingly its speeches, demonstrations, and press interviews
are designed to justify the coup d'etat, to make the new regime
acceptable to the Turkish people, and to arouse resentment
against the former government.
B. Like all revolutionary regimes, the new government now realizes
that it must liquidate or nullify the leaders of the former
regime. 4
i e' '!kl_ta t r
IV. jhile we do not vieyJ the current situation in Turkey sas being more?
$ u ntP. a..,ij {
confused. han is to be expected', we see several potential hazards
 A. Dissension within the Military Committee, and between senior of-
ficers and the Committee could lead to a struggle for power.
B. Prosecution and punishment of leaders of the former regime,
which still has strong support in the countryside, could re-
sult in popular disaffection.
C. A resurgence of the strong leadership pattern of the early
days of the Turkish Republic under Ataturk could lead to an
extended period of repression and violence.
D. The present regime, while clearly Western in orientation, has
given some indication that it will probably not be as
,enthusiastically pro-West as the Mendeyes government.
1. LUnfortunately~, US representativeshave not Not been able to
establish the same close relationship with the leaders of
the current regime as was possible with the Menderes govern-
2. Although our information is incomplete, we have established
that at least 8 of the 38 members of the Military
Committee have been in the US, attending army schools.
E. At the same time Moscow is likely to increase efforts to
develop better relations with Ankara.
CRET