Following meetings with Turkey's military chiefs, President Cevdet Sunay on Friday (29 October) warned that Turkey's current political crisis could have serious consequences for the parliamentary system, and he urged the majority Justice Party to reconsider its decision to withdraw support from Dr. Nihat Erim's new government. The warning was seen as an indication of a possible military takeover if Dr. Erim's reform programme, which the Army demands must be carried out quickly, is not given parliamentary support.

President Sunay also held consultations with Turkey's oldest politician, Ismet Inonu, leader of the Republican People's Party. The meetings took place against the background of the bitter feud that has arisen between former Premier Suleyman Demirel and Dr. Erim. Suleyman Demirel's Justice Party is refusing to cooperate with Dr. Erim. Suleyman Demirel's Justice Party is refusing to cooperate with Dr. Erim's newly-formed government.

SYNOPSIS: President Sunay of Turkey, after meetings with his military chiefs, has warned the country that their parliamentary system is in danger if the newly-formed government of Dr. Nihat Erim does not receive support soon. The Army wants Dr. Erim's reform programme put into action quickly. Its progress is being held up due to bitter feuding between Dr. Erim and the Justice Party of former Premier Suleyman Demirel.

President Sunay's latest announcement came against a background of political crisis. Since forming a new government earlier in October, Dr. Erim has been unsuccessful in coming to any form of compromise agreement with the majority Justice Party. The feud has developed into personal animosity between Dr. Erim and Suleyman Demirel. On Wednesday, Dr. Erim tendered his resignation to President Sunay. He withdrew it only twelve hours later under strong pressure from the Army's top generals.

Former President Ismet Inonu, leader of the Republican People's party and the oldest strong man in Turkish politics, was also called in for consultations with President Sunay. The President wanted to hear what Mr. Inonu saw in the current situation, with the Army presenting a threat of a takeover if the crisis is not resolved. Hopes of settlement between the new government and the Justice Party are reported to be almost totally non-existent, however.