Turkey to bury former PM Ecevit
Big crowds are expected in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Saturday for the funeral of former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who died last Sunday. Mr Ecevit, who was prime minister five times in five decades, died at the age of 81 after almost six months in a coma following a stroke. The funeral was moved from Wednesday to allow more people to attend. Mr Ecevit was probably best known for ordering Turkish troops into Cyprus in 1974 after a Greek-backed coup.
Many people in Turkey saw him as hero for taking such action and tens of thousands are expected to pay their respects.
Law change
Mr Ecevit was also prime minister when the EU accepted Turkey as an accession candidate and when the Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan was caught. But his last years in office were beset by his own ill-health and an ailing economy. His party suffered a landslide defeat in 2002, allowing the current government to sweep to power. Following a change in the law made this week, Mr Ecevit will be buried at Ankara state cemetery, alongside the founders of the republic.
There is some speculation the funeral of this staunch secularist could develop into a protest against the government, which has its roots in political Islam. At least 10,000 security officers will be on duty.
Many people in Turkey saw him as hero for taking such action and tens of thousands are expected to pay their respects.
Law change
Mr Ecevit was also prime minister when the EU accepted Turkey as an accession candidate and when the Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan was caught. But his last years in office were beset by his own ill-health and an ailing economy. His party suffered a landslide defeat in 2002, allowing the current government to sweep to power. Following a change in the law made this week, Mr Ecevit will be buried at Ankara state cemetery, alongside the founders of the republic.
There is some speculation the funeral of this staunch secularist could develop into a protest against the government, which has its roots in political Islam. At least 10,000 security officers will be on duty.