Loyal Opposition

When Dr. Kasim Gulek, 45, was invited to lecture in the U.S., Canada and Germany, it took him a month to clear his passport through the Turkish government. Although he is recognized as a distinguished statesman, he is a leader of the opposition Republican Party. The men in power in a democracy that held its first free election only nine years ago were afraid he might criticize them abroad.

Last week Dr. (of both law and economics) Gulek was near the end of his stay in the U.S. He had lectured at Columbia, Princeton, Harvard, M.I.T., spoken before influential groups in New York, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Birmingham, Nashville and Washington, D.C. Everywhere, he refused to be drawn into a discussion of domestic politics: "Foreign policy is not a party matter in Turkey . . . I have been conscious of my opportunity to serve my country, and I have tried to emphasize the broad national issues. I've tried to emphasize the constructive part of my country's policies. In this way, I think, because I'm a member of the opposition, I've been a better salesman for my country."

Instead of criticizing his political opponents, Dr. Gulek emphasized Turkey's basic strength and unity: "In the past 200 years Turkey has fought 14 wars with Russia. No family history in Turkey is without its losses to some Russian campaign. When the child is naughty, the mother warns that the Muscovite is coming. When, in 1946, Russia was in great favor among the Western allies, Turkey was alone. One day the Cabinet received a note demanding three strategically placed provinces and 'participation' in defense of the straits . . . The Cabinet met immediately, but there was almost no discussion. There could be only one answer. No. Turkey would not even discuss the Russian demands. It was the right answer. It was clear that if Russia moved, no one could be counted on to come to our aid. Yet we were ready to fight. Nothing happened. Nothing at all."

As Kasim Gulek finished his visit, which was a model for any country's opposition leader abroad, he had in his pocket a long cable from home: the Premier congratulated him for the patriotic way in which he had conducted himself and had served the best interests of Turkey.

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