Newly Disclosed Diaries Shine Light on May 27 Coup

7/31/2019 Newly Disclosed Diaries Shine Light on May 27 Coup

1/4

y disclosed diaries shine light on May 27 coup

www.todayszaman.com/news-281573-newly-disclosed-diaries-shine-light-on-may-27-coup.html[05.06.2012 03:33:01]

About us | Advertising | Contact | Get Home Delivery | RSS | Share on your site | MULTIMEDIA June 05, 20

NATIONAL DIPLOMACY WORLD

HOME NEWS BUSINESS INTERVIEWS COLUMNISTS OP-ED ARTS & CULTURE EXPAT ZONE SPORTS FEATURES CARTOONS LIFE PRESS REVIEW ALMA

2 1

27 May 2012 / AHMET MUSTAFA GRLEK, FATIH UUR, STANBUL

The disclosure of diaries and handwritten notes belonging to former Chief of General Staff

Gen. Rt Erdelhun, who was arrested after the May 27, 1960, coup dtat and later tried

by a military junta and sentenced to death, has shed light for the first time on the generals

sufferings under the perpetrators of the coup.

The discovery of the diaries and notes comes just before the 52nd anniversary of the first

military coup in Turkeys history, staged by junta cells nested in the Turkish Armed Forces

(TSK). The fresh revelations have added another layer to the pain and shame surrounding

memories of the coup.

The Zaman daily, a sister paper of Sundays Zaman, started investigating the details behind

the arrest of Gen. Erdelhun, which have until now remained largely secret, about three

months ago. We wondered about his thoughts and feelings upon being detained by a group

of young officers he had commanded for long years, and what his days were like in the

notorious Yassada Prison, located on a small island in the Sea of Marmara. While many

have told stories about the deplorable circumstances of the Yassada trial and the

humiliation that Erdelhun and his friends were subjected to, their actual experiences remain

a matter of great curiosity to us.

We managed to trace official documents recording Erdelhuns fate following his detention

after the May 27 coup, but these documents yielded little of particular interest; then, just a

few weeks ago, we received a phone call from Turgut Sayarer, the nephew of Erdelhuns

wife, Vasfiye, offering to provide us with a suitcase full of diaries and other documents -- all

Newly d i s c losed d ia r ie s sh in e l igh t

o n M a y 2 7 co u p

The family of Gen. Erdelhun kept his diaries, which tell of the May 27 coup, in a red wooden suitcase.

Archive

Columnists

ABDULLAH BOZKURT

Cost of Syrian crisis to Turkish economy

LALE KEMAL

Why is Turkey in reform fatigue?

NICOLE POPE

Divide and rule

ORHAN KEMAL CENGZ

How did abortion come to our agenda?

MMTAZER TRKNE

Reaching compromise with coup supporters

AL BULA

Search for a new model

HASAN KANBOLAT

Kyrgyz prime ministers delayed visit to Turkey

Recommend

Archive Sea
http://www.todayszaman.com/constantHtmlModuleAction_getHtmlModule.action?sectionId=75http://www.todayszaman.com/constantHtmlModuleAction_getHtmlModule.action?sectionId=147http://www.todayszaman.com/constantHtmlModuleAction_getHtmlModule.action?sectionId=76http://www.todayszaman.com/subs.actionhttp://www.todayszaman.com/rss_rssMainPage.action?sectionId=341http://www.todayszaman.com/addToYourWebSite_addRequest.action?sectionId=344http://www.todayszaman.com/multimedia.action?sectionId=79http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=101http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=102http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=104http://www.todayszaman.com/http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=100http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=105http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=8http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistMenuDetail.action?sectionId=6http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=109http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=110http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=132http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=5http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=116http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=146http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=133http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=130http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=161http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282448-cost-of-syrian-crisis-to-turkish-economy.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282448-cost-of-syrian-crisis-to-turkish-economy.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282449-why-is-turkey-in-reform-fatigue.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282449-why-is-turkey-in-reform-fatigue.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282479-divide-and-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282479-divide-and-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282355--how-did-abortion-come-to-our-agenda.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282355--how-did-abortion-come-to-our-agenda.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282481-reaching--compromise-with-coup-supporters.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282481-reaching--compromise-with-coup-supporters.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282483-search-for-a-new-model.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282483-search-for-a-new-model.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282485-kyrgyz-prime-ministers-delayed-visit-to-turkey.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282485-kyrgyz-prime-ministers-delayed-visit-to-turkey.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?action=recommend&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D6%23cb%3Df60acd8d1e2b8a%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.todayszaman.com%252Ff1383d8c20f37a8%26domain%3Dwww.todayszaman.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&extended_social_context=false&font=verdana&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.todayszaman.com%2FnewsDetail_getNewsById.action%3FnewsId%3D281573&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&show_faces=false&width=130#http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?action=recommend&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D6%23cb%3Df60acd8d1e2b8a%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.todayszaman.com%252Ff1383d8c20f37a8%26domain%3Dwww.todayszaman.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&extended_social_context=false&font=verdana&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.todayszaman.com%2FnewsDetail_getNewsById.action%3FnewsId%3D281573&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&show_faces=false&width=130#http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?action=recommend&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D6%23cb%3Df60acd8d1e2b8a%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.todayszaman.com%252Ff1383d8c20f37a8%26domain%3Dwww.todayszaman.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&extended_social_context=false&font=verdana&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.todayszaman.com%2FnewsDetail_getNewsById.action%3FnewsId%3D281573&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&show_faces=false&width=130#http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282485-kyrgyz-prime-ministers-delayed-visit-to-turkey.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282485-kyrgyz-prime-ministers-delayed-visit-to-turkey.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282483-search-for-a-new-model.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282483-search-for-a-new-model.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282481-reaching--compromise-with-coup-supporters.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282481-reaching--compromise-with-coup-supporters.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282355--how-did-abortion-come-to-our-agenda.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282355--how-did-abortion-come-to-our-agenda.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282479-divide-and-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282479-divide-and-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282449-why-is-turkey-in-reform-fatigue.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282449-why-is-turkey-in-reform-fatigue.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282448-cost-of-syrian-crisis-to-turkish-economy.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282448-cost-of-syrian-crisis-to-turkish-economy.htmlhttp://fusion.google.com/add?source=atgs&feedurl=http%3A//http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=281573http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=161http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=130http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=133http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=146http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=116http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=5http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=132http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=110http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=109http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistMenuDetail.action?sectionId=6http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=8http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=105http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=100http://www.todayszaman.com/http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=104http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=102http://www.todayszaman.com/menuDetail.action?sectionId=101http://www.todayszaman.com/mainAction.actionhttp://www.todayszaman.com/multimedia.action?sectionId=79http://www.todayszaman.com/addToYourWebSite_addRequest.action?sectionId=344http://www.todayszaman.com/rss_rssMainPage.action?sectionId=341http://www.todayszaman.com/subs.actionhttp://www.todayszaman.com/constantHtmlModuleAction_getHtmlModule.action?sectionId=76http://www.todayszaman.com/constantHtmlModuleAction_getHtmlModule.action?sectionId=147http://www.todayszaman.com/constantHtmlModuleAction_getHtmlModule.action?sectionId=75


2/4



in Erdelhuns hand -- depicting the coup and its aftermath.

We couldnt have been happier. Handing over the red wooden suitcase, Sayarer said, I am

entrusting the 50-year-old memory to you.

Erdelhun joined the Turkish army in 1921. He received a medal for his service in the War of

Independence. When a group of young and low-ranking officers staged a coup on May 27,

1960, he was the chief of General Staff. Erdelhun was initially forced to resign and

consequently stripped of his rank, a first in the history of Turkey. He was later arrested by

coup leaders on grounds of supporting the overthrown Democrat Party (DP) against the

military, becoming the first chief of General Staff to be arrested and jailed in Turkey.

Erdelhun stood trial at Yassada as a private and was sentenced to death. His sentence was

later commuted to life imprisonment, and he was subsequently pardoned by then-head of

state Cemal Grsel after serving approximately one year in jail.

It was 4.30 a.m. Gen. Burhanettin le and a War Academy student were at my door. They

started to break my door using the butt ends of their rifles because I was late opening the

door as I was talking on the phone at the time. [When they broke the door] I was holding my

hat in my hand and getting ready to go outside. I was told that we would go to the Turkish

Military Academy. I said OK. I saw a tank and jeeps equipped with machine guns in front of

the door. When I stepped outside a lieutenant colonel shouted at me Sold man! and turned

his semi-automatic gun on me, recalls Erdelhun in one of the diaries, yellowed from being

kept in the suitcase for so many years. Inside we also found photographs dating from the

aftermath of the May 27 coup. Erdelhun records in one of the documents that he carried the

suitcase with him everywhere to continue writing his story; he was hoping to publish a book

some time in the future. His reasons for never doing so remain a mystery.

On May 27, 1960, the powerful military overthrew the government of then-Prime Minister

Adnan Menderes. Menderes, his fellow DP members and a number of high-ranking officers

of the TSK were tried in 14 separate cases in Yassada by junta-sponsored prosecutors and

judges. Among the sentences handed down were 15 death penalties, 12 life sentences and

hundreds of long-term imprisonments. Three executions by hanging were carried out:

Menderes, Foreign Minister Fatin Rt Zorlu and Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan.

Erdelhuns diaries and notes bear witness to the years of the coup and paint a picture of the

last days of Turkeys martyrs to democracy. The generals memories are a record of

traumatic events that have seeped into the nations psyche. In his diaries Erdelhun notes

that he began writing down his memories of the coup period only in 1967 after receiving a

letter from Celal Bayar, serving president at the time of the May 27 coup. Bayar was among

the 15 sentenced to death, but his execution was not carried out due to his advanced age.

In the letter Bayar asked Erdelhun to write his story so that coming generations would one

day learn the truth about events long past. The general included in his memoirs his analysis

of the coups impact on the future of Turkey.

What surprised Erdelhun most in the events surrounding May 27 was a proposal from the

military junta for him to become the leader of the coup, even as he was detained at the

War Academy. A number of [military] officers came to me toward noon on May 27 and told

me they were expecting the coup to be led by me. They said I did badly by myself and that

the coup was the result of my imprudent support to the [DP] government. One of my friendsfrom the War Academy, who was a lieutenant colonel at the time, came to visit me along

with around 20 young officers and told me to make an address to the nation on the radio

and declare my decision to join the coup stagers and become the leader of the coup, the

general records in the diaries. In response I thanked him for the interest he showed in me

and reminded him that I had said I would never approve of and support a coup dtat during

one of my earlier addresses at the General Staff. I said I was kept under detention for an

unknown accusation for several hours, and I would never eat my words about coups, even if

it would mean losing my life.

1960 marks a turning point in Turkeys political history as the first time the military moved to

take control of the country due to its dissatisfaction with the political landscape. No one has

MER TAPINAR

Syria, Europe and inaction

PAT YALE

A Nevehirli in anakkale

MERVE BRA ZTRK

Little hope in Diyarbakr

BLENT KENE

Those who are not part of the solution to the

Syrian crisis are part of the problem

EKREM DUMANLI

Those who avoid applause!

GKHAN BACIK

Is Turkey exhausted?

SEYFETTN GRSEL

Sluggish growth and AK Party rule

EMRE USLU

Erdoan: one-man show

Finde uns auf Facebook

Erstelle ein Konto oder meld

dich an , um zu sehen, was

deinen Freunden gefllt.

Soziales Plug-in von Facebook

The most read articles

Turkish-Jewish businessman dies in

suspected suicide

Coup suspect Balanl threatens PM,

pres ident i n vo ice record ing

Parents have no right to end fetuss life,

says Grmez

Major , spec ia l sergeant k i l l ed by PKK in

Turkey s southeast

PKK releases British tourist kidnapped in

Diyarbakr

Niger ians search wreckage a f te r p lane

crash k i l l s 153

Turkey welcomes efforts to unseat Maliki

amid political crisis in Iraq

WEF d i rector w ants to see Turk ish

p re m i e r b a ck a t Da vo s

Syria, trade in focus at Putin's summit with

EU

Norway k i l l e r c la ims ch i ldhood s l i gh ts

b y T u rk i sh m a n

Registrieren
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282518-syria-europe-and-inaction.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282518-syria-europe-and-inaction.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282519-a-nevsehirli-in-canakkale.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282519-a-nevsehirli-in-canakkale.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282488-little-hope--in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282488-little-hope--in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282381-those-who-are-not-part-of-the-solution-to-the-syrian-crisis-are-part-of-the-problem.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282381-those-who-are-not-part-of-the-solution-to-the-syrian-crisis-are-part-of-the-problem.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282381-those-who-are-not-part-of-the-solution-to-the-syrian-crisis-are-part-of-the-problem.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282401-those-who-avoid-applause.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282401-those-who-avoid-applause.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282349-is-turkey-exhausted.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282349-is-turkey-exhausted.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282371-sluggish-growth-and-ak-party-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282371-sluggish-growth-and-ak-party-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282379---erdogan-one-man-show.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282379---erdogan-one-man-show.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftodayszamancom&width=292&height=120&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&border_color&stream=true&header=true#http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftodayszamancom&width=292&height=120&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&border_color&stream=true&header=true#http://developers.facebook.com/plugins/?footer=1http://www.todayszaman.com/news-282422-turkish-jewish-businessman-dies-in-suspected-suicide.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282422-turkish-jewish-businessman-dies-in-suspected-suicide.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282430-coup-suspect-balanli-threatens-pm-president-in-voice-recording.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282430-coup-suspect-balanli-threatens-pm-president-in-voice-recording.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282429-parents-have-no-right-to-end-fetuss-life-says-gormez.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282429-parents-have-no-right-to-end-fetuss-life-says-gormez.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282421-major-special-sergeant-killed-by-pkk-in-turkeys-southeast.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282421-major-special-sergeant-killed-by-pkk-in-turkeys-southeast.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282419-pkk-releases-british-tourist-kidnapped-in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282419-pkk-releases-british-tourist-kidnapped-in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282418-nigerians-search-wreckage-after-plane-crash-kills-153.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282418-nigerians-search-wreckage-after-plane-crash-kills-153.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282522-turkey-welcomes-efforts-to-unseat-maliki-amid-political-crisis-in-iraq.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282522-turkey-welcomes-efforts-to-unseat-maliki-amid-political-crisis-in-iraq.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282461-wef-director-wants-to-see-turkish-premier-back-at-davos.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282461-wef-director-wants-to-see-turkish-premier-back-at-davos.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282425-syria-trade-in-focus-at-putins-summit-with-eu.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282425-syria-trade-in-focus-at-putins-summit-with-eu.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282464-norway-killer-claims-childhood-slights-by-turkish-man.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282464-norway-killer-claims-childhood-slights-by-turkish-man.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282464-norway-killer-claims-childhood-slights-by-turkish-man.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282464-norway-killer-claims-childhood-slights-by-turkish-man.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282425-syria-trade-in-focus-at-putins-summit-with-eu.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282425-syria-trade-in-focus-at-putins-summit-with-eu.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282461-wef-director-wants-to-see-turkish-premier-back-at-davos.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282461-wef-director-wants-to-see-turkish-premier-back-at-davos.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282522-turkey-welcomes-efforts-to-unseat-maliki-amid-political-crisis-in-iraq.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282522-turkey-welcomes-efforts-to-unseat-maliki-amid-political-crisis-in-iraq.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282418-nigerians-search-wreckage-after-plane-crash-kills-153.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282418-nigerians-search-wreckage-after-plane-crash-kills-153.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282419-pkk-releases-british-tourist-kidnapped-in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282419-pkk-releases-british-tourist-kidnapped-in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282421-major-special-sergeant-killed-by-pkk-in-turkeys-southeast.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282421-major-special-sergeant-killed-by-pkk-in-turkeys-southeast.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282429-parents-have-no-right-to-end-fetuss-life-says-gormez.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282429-parents-have-no-right-to-end-fetuss-life-says-gormez.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282430-coup-suspect-balanli-threatens-pm-president-in-voice-recording.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282430-coup-suspect-balanli-threatens-pm-president-in-voice-recording.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282422-turkish-jewish-businessman-dies-in-suspected-suicide.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/news-282422-turkish-jewish-businessman-dies-in-suspected-suicide.htmlhttp://developers.facebook.com/plugins/?footer=1http://developers.facebook.com/plugins/?footer=1http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftodayszamancom&width=292&height=120&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&border_color&stream=true&header=true#http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftodayszamancom&width=292&height=120&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&border_color&stream=true&header=true#http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282379---erdogan-one-man-show.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282379---erdogan-one-man-show.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282371-sluggish-growth-and-ak-party-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282371-sluggish-growth-and-ak-party-rule.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282349-is-turkey-exhausted.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282349-is-turkey-exhausted.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282401-those-who-avoid-applause.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282401-those-who-avoid-applause.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282381-those-who-are-not-part-of-the-solution-to-the-syrian-crisis-are-part-of-the-problem.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282381-those-who-are-not-part-of-the-solution-to-the-syrian-crisis-are-part-of-the-problem.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282381-those-who-are-not-part-of-the-solution-to-the-syrian-crisis-are-part-of-the-problem.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282488-little-hope--in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282488-little-hope--in-diyarbakir.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282519-a-nevsehirli-in-canakkale.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282519-a-nevsehirli-in-canakkale.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282518-syria-europe-and-inaction.htmlhttp://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-282518-syria-europe-and-inaction.html


3/4



2 1

yet been tried in connection with their role in the May 27 coup, but there is an expectation

mounting in society that involved parties will stand trial -- albeit symbolically, as none of the

coup stagers are alive today.

According to the diaries, Erdelhun later learned that the request for him to join and lead the

coup was driven by threats from Konya 3rd Army Commander Gen. Ragp Gmpala that

he would take charge of the coup if they failed to find a leader for themselves. If you do not

have a high-ranking leader [to lead to coup] then I will order my army to walk to Ankara,

Gmpala reportedly told coup stagers. Gmpalas maneuver would have signaled the

failure of the coup for the military junta, as the general would have taken control of the coup

and rearranged the state as he wished. In an effort to counter Gmpalas threats the juntaselected then-Land Forces Commander Gen. as its leader. Grsel was later elected

president.

The first politician to be arrested after the May 27 coup was President Bayar, residing at

ankaya palace. Bayar, who had learned of the coup by telephone, had dressed and was

waiting in the living room to be taken into custody. Arriving at the palace, a senior officer

charged to arrest Bayar demanded his resignation, but Bayar refused, saying, I was

brought here by the will of the people, and thats how I will go. As Bayar spoke he first

pointed his gun at the officer and then turned it on himself, but the soldiers intervened and

Bayar surrendered. He was dragged from ankaya palace and taken directly to the military

War Academy premises.

Menderes was in Eskiehir on an official visit when he learned the news. He set outimmediately for Ktahya with his entourage, arriving at the governors office with the

intention of resisting arrest, but surrendered when he realized the building was surrounded.

He joined Bayar and others in detention at the War Academy. Within days all of those under

arrest had been transferred to Yassada.

Post your comments/ Share your thoughts

Display Name (What's this) Your e-mail address

Comment (Required) Characters Remaining:

Enter the following code:

Refresh

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-

topic and not abusive. For more in formation, please see our Comments

FAQ.

COMMENTS

Great to see the truth coming out! Well done to the family for releasing these documents so

that younger generations can learn what price was paid for democracy. Only recently are we

seeing the military take it's place- being under the command of the government the people

City>> ISTANBUL

Today W ed Th u

19C

30C

19C

25C

18C

25C

Weather

ISTANBUL

Recommend

5000

Submit Your Comment

ISTANBUL
http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?action=recommend&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D6%23cb%3Df4aacd7f59253%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.todayszaman.com%252Ff1383d8c20f37a8%26domain%3Dwww.todayszaman.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&extended_social_context=false&font=verdana&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.todayszaman.com%2FnewsDetail_getNewsById.action%3FnewsId%3D281573&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&show_faces=false&width=130#http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?action=recommend&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D6%23cb%3Df4aacd7f59253%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.todayszaman.com%252Ff1383d8c20f37a8%26domain%3Dwww.todayszaman.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&extended_social_context=false&font=verdana&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.todayszaman.com%2FnewsDetail_getNewsById.action%3FnewsId%3D281573&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&show_faces=false&width=130#http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?action=recommend&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D6%23cb%3Df4aacd7f59253%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.todayszaman.com%252Ff1383d8c20f37a8%26domain%3Dwww.todayszaman.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&extended_social_context=false&font=verdana&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.todayszaman.com%2FnewsDetail_getNewsById.action%3FnewsId%3D281573&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&node_type=link&sdk=joey&show_faces=false&width=130#http://fusion.google.com/add?source=atgs&feedurl=http%3A//http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=281573


4/4


www todayszaman com/news-281573-newly-disclosed-diaries-shine-light-on-may-27-coup html[05 06 2012 03:33:01]

Feza Gazetecilik A.. 2007, Ahmet TanerKlal Cad. No: 6, Bahelievler - stanbul 34194 Turkey, +90 (212) 454 1454, +90 (212) 454 1497(fax)

elected!

Metin 27 May 2012 , 16:25

A true Turk.

Turkish Canadian 27 May 2012 , 09:31

Click here to read all user comments

National Other T i t l es

Former Ergenekon judge rejects claims he worked to ruin DVD No. 51

Erdoan says gov't steps for Uludere victims amount to apology'

Rear Adm. Ilgar threatens civil war after release from prison in recording

Bomb attack kills 2 policemen, wounds several in Kayseri

General Staff: Dersim archives will be opened

stanbul Bar Association officials refuse to testify in coup case probe

Gov't to introduce regulations on stanbul's conquest celebrations

Terrorist PKK kidnaps 10 villagers in Diyarbakr

Bill to protect immigrants, foreigners to be enacted before recess

Ministry takes strict measures against noise pollution from nightclubs

Doctor attacked by patients relative

PKK wakes up from its winter sleep, steps up acts of terrorism
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281510http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281334http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281424http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281429http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281432http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281435http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281436http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281437http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281438http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281440http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281471http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281504http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281510http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281510http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281504http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281471http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281440http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281438http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281437http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281436http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281435http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281432http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281429http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281424http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=1210857E40067A180BB0984AF1C619EA?newsId=281334

Newly Disclosed Diaries Shine Light on May 27 Coup

Documents

Transcript of Newly Disclosed Diaries Shine Light on May 27 Coup