No More In

As war hero, Premier and President, Ismet Inoenue has occupied center stage in Turkish politics for more than half a century. He helped modern Turkey's founding father, Kemal Atatuerk, win the country's battle for independence in 1923, and succeeded him as President in 1938. After 1950, when he was defeated for the presidency, Inoenue continued to rule the Republican People's Party with an iron hand. Last week, at the age of 87, Turkey's elder statesman was finally forced into retirement.

The revolt against Inoenue was led by his protege and heir apparent, Buelent Ecevit. When Turkey's elected government was toppled last year by a military coup, Inoenue and Ecevit disagreed over the future course of party policy. Ecevit resigned as the Republican People's secretary-general, and Inoenue, perhaps unwisely, called the party to an extraordinary congress last week for a vote of confidence. "Either you choose me or him," Inoenue told members. By a vote of 709 to 503, they chose Ecevit.

Even though he is deaf and almost blind, Inoenue will be missed in the corridors of power. Because of his vast prestige as a national hero, Inoenue was probably the only Turkish politician with enough stature to apply a moderating pressure on the generals, who may now be tempted to take an even greater role in the country's internal affairs in order to crack down on leftist dissent.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.