NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05903572
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: May 30, 2024
• Document Release Date: April 2, 2024
• Case Number: F-2012-01748
• Publication Date: September 12, 1980

Approved for Release: 2024/03/18 C05903572
Director of
Central
Intelligence
(b)(3)
Sct
National Intelligence Daily
Friday
12 September 1980
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CIA LATE ITEMS
TURKEY: Military Takeover
The Turkish military took control of the government early
today out of exasperation with the growing anarchy and political
stagnation in the country. Preliminary indications are that the
military will stay in power long enough to make some fundamental
political and constitutional changes while keeping Turkey on a
solid pro-Western course
. . _
A National Security Council; composed of Principal
military commanders and headed by Chief of Staff Kenan
Evren, has assumed power. .The:council has4bOlished the
civilian government, canceled parliamentary immunity,
and suspended the constitution. Martial law has. been
extendedJthroughout the country and a curfew imposed.
A military communique issued shortly after theHdoup
singles out the -constant bickering and fail-
ure to come-together to.steM terrorism as justification
for the takeover.
The military's move apparently occurred after Gen-
eral Evren met with service commanders under the pretext
of discussions concerning NATO exercises in western
Turkey. . The takeover-was accOmplished.with
however; and the curfew appears to be effective Accord-
ing to press. reports Prime Minister QeMir4.'and-opposi-
tion leader Ec been temporarily placed under
.,",
house arrest.
The Intervention
The timing of the intervention Was connected more
to the worsening internal security situation and the
continuing failure of the parties to agree on a president
than to the economic situation. There were more than
600 deaths in July and August and these included prominent
political and trade union leaders as well as military of-
ficers and policemen.
The last straw for the military appears to have been
the efforts by the opposition Republicans and.Demirel's
erstwhile partner, the Islamic-oriented National Salvation
Party, to bring down the Demirel government. The com-
manders apparently concluded that the politics as usual
--continued
12 September 1980
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approach by civilian leaders would continue indefinitely
while the country headed toward civil war and remained
without a president.
Outlook
The generals appear intent on instituting funda-
mental changes before they return power to the politi-
cians. Initially, they are likely to try to break the
back of terrorist groups, particularly on the left, by
imposing a harsh martial law regime that could include
arrests of leftist and religious-oriented politicians.
The generals' economic policy will probably adhere to
the main lines of the conservative, market-oriented
stabilization program Demirel introduced, mainly because
it is beginning to produce results and will help ensure
the flow of external assistance.
In the foreign policy area, the new military govern-
ment clearly is inclined to pursue a pro-NATO and pro-US
course. Almost all the leaders have had some training
in the US and they are known to value Turkey's membership
in the Alliance. At the same time, however, their
specific policies will be conditioned by the US and West
European response to their takeover. They Will be look-
ing for a measure of understanding and support for their
efforts to restore order. Barring that, they may be as
difficult to deal with as were the series of weak civil-
ian
governments that ruled the country throughout the
1970s.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Dissidents Reported Released
Emigre circles in Vienna this morning claimed that
11 Czech dissidents arrested Tuesday have been released.
(For an earlier report, see page 3.)
12 September 1980
Approved for Release: 2024/03/18 C05903572