Deaths on April 17

Turgut Özal, Turkish engineer and politician, 8th president of Turkey (b. 1927)

Halil Turgut Özal (Turkish pronunciation: [haˈlil tuɾˈɡut øˈzɑɫ]; 13 October 1927 – 17 April 1993) was a transformative figure in modern Turkish politics, an engineer and economist who profoundly shaped the nation's trajectory during a pivotal era. His career spanned from influential roles in economic policy-making to leading the country as both Prime Minister and, ultimately, as its eighth President. Özal's time in office is largely synonymous with Turkey's embrace of a more liberal, market-oriented economy and a dynamic foreign policy that repositioned the country on the global stage.

From Technical Expertise to Political Influence

Before stepping onto the national political stage, Özal garnered considerable experience in various sectors. He worked briefly at the World Bank in the United States, gaining invaluable insights into international economic dynamics. Upon returning to Turkey, he served as a university lecturer, sharing his expertise, and later became the general secretary, then the leader, of Turkey’s main miners' trade union in 1979. In this capacity, he notably served as a chief negotiator during significant industrial action in 1977, demonstrating an early aptitude for leadership and problem-solving. His initial foray into electoral politics, however, proved unsuccessful when he ran for Parliament in the 1977 general election as a National Salvation Party (MSP) candidate from İzmir.

A critical turning point in his career came in 1979 when he was appointed Undersecretary to Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel's minority government. It was here that Özal truly began to leave his indelible mark on Turkey's economic landscape. He played a central role in conceptualizing and implementing a radical package of economic reforms, famously known as the '24 January decisions'. These measures were designed to pivot Turkey away from its historically protectionist, state-dominated model towards a more open, neoliberal economy. This shift aimed to stimulate exports, attract foreign investment, and integrate Turkey more deeply into the global economy, laying the groundwork for significant structural changes.

Navigating the Post-Coup Landscape

The political instability of the late 1970s culminated in the 1980 military coup. Despite the dramatic change in governance, Özal's indispensable economic expertise meant he was retained in a key position. He was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister, specifically tasked with overseeing the economy, within Bülend Ulusu's military-backed government. In this powerful role, he continued to champion and implement the economic reforms he had helped initiate, pushing for further liberalization and market integration. However, his strong convictions eventually led to disagreements over economic policy with other members of the administration, prompting his resignation in 1982.

Founding ANAP and Becoming Prime Minister

With the military government gradually lifting restrictions on political activity, Özal seized the moment. In 1983, he founded the Motherland Party (Anavatan Partisi - ANAP), a center-right, liberal conservative party that resonated with a populace eager for stability and economic progress. ANAP quickly gained traction, winning a decisive parliamentary majority in the 1983 general election. This victory propelled Turgut Özal to the office of Prime Minister of Turkey, marking the beginning of an era often referred to as the "Özal years."

As Prime Minister, he vigorously pursued his vision of an export-oriented, market-driven economy. His government implemented numerous economic reforms, including significant adjustments to the exchange rate regime and sweeping deregulation measures across various sectors. These policies aimed to foster economic growth and enhance Turkey's competitiveness. However, this period was not without its challenges. A notable rise in inflation became a persistent concern, and the long-simmering conflict with Kurdish separatists in the country's southeast began to escalate, posing significant social and security challenges. These issues contributed to ANAP securing reduced pluralities in the 1984 local elections, indicating some public dissatisfaction despite overall economic expansion.

Özal's political resilience was evident in the subsequent years. Despite a 1987 referendum that allowed politicians banned during the 1980 coup to resume their political activities, which might have been expected to dilute ANAP's support, the Motherland Party was re-elected with another parliamentary majority in the 1987 general election. Although their share of the vote was somewhat reduced, it reaffirmed Özal's enduring popularity and the public's continued trust in his leadership. During a party congress in 1988, Özal survived an assassination attempt, a stark reminder of the intense political climate of the time.

A Decisive Hand in Foreign Affairs

Beyond domestic reforms, Özal's premiership was also characterized by a proactive foreign policy. He played a crucial role in averting a potential war with Greece following the Şimşek Incident – a tense period involving oil exploration rights in the Aegean Sea in 1987. His pragmatic approach helped de-escalate tensions and maintain regional stability. Furthermore, in a significant humanitarian move, his government temporarily allowed hundreds of thousands of ethnic Turks fleeing oppressive assimilation policies in Bulgaria to emigrate to Turkey in 1989, an event known as the "Great Excursion," which saw Turkey embrace a large wave of refugees.

The Presidency: An Active Ceremonial Role

In 1989, Turgut Özal was elected President of the Turkish Republic, succeeding Kenan Evren. This marked a transition from the executive power of the Prime Minister's office to the more traditionally ceremonial role of the President. Yıldırım Akbulut took over as Prime Minister. However, Özal, with his dynamic personality and deep engagement in national affairs, was not content with a merely symbolic presence. He often remained actively involved in government activities, famously intervening in the 1990 Zonguldak miners' strikes to mediate a resolution, demonstrating his continued influence and hands-on approach.

This active presidential style, however, sometimes led to friction. While Akbulut generally adopted a more docile approach as Prime Minister, significant disputes over the precise division of duties between the President and Prime Minister became particularly prominent when Süleyman Demirel, Özal's long-time political rival, returned to the premiership after the 1991 general election. These constitutional debates highlighted Özal's determination to maintain a strong hand in national governance, even from a less executive position.

During his presidency, several landmark initiatives took shape. The colossal Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), a multi-sectoral integrated regional development project focused on water resource management, hydroelectric power, and agricultural development, truly began to take flight with the construction of the Atatürk Dam in Şanlıurfa, one of the world's largest. Furthermore, Özal, deeply aware of Turkey's cultural heritage and strategic position, participated in the first-ever summit of Turkic Republics in 1992, held in Ankara. This initiative underscored Turkey's renewed focus on its connections with newly independent Central Asian states following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

On the international stage, Özal maintained particularly close relations with the President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, during the critical period of the Gulf War and the broader end of the Cold War. His decision to align Turkey firmly with the Western alliance during the Gulf War, despite some domestic opposition, solidified Turkey's strategic importance and its pro-Western foreign policy orientation.

An Unexpected Demise and Unanswered Questions

Tragically, Turgut Özal died unexpectedly while in office on 17 April 1993, at the age of 65. His sudden passing sent shockwaves across the nation and left many questions unanswered. Decades later, an exhumation of his body in 2012, authorized amidst persistent public speculation and conspiracy theories, yielded evidence of poisoning. However, despite this finding, the precise cause of death ultimately remained unclear, adding a mysterious chapter to the legacy of one of Turkey's most consequential leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turgut Özal

1. What were Turgut Özal's most significant contributions to Turkey?

Özal is primarily remembered for transforming Turkey's economy from a state-controlled, import-substitution model to a more liberal, export-oriented, and market-driven system. He also played a crucial role in opening Turkey to the global economy and fostering stronger ties with both Western and Turkic states.

2. What were the '24 January decisions'?

These were a set of comprehensive economic reform measures introduced in January 1980, largely spearheaded by Özal. They aimed to liberalize the Turkish economy, reduce state intervention, promote exports, control inflation, and attract foreign investment, marking a pivotal shift towards neoliberal policies.

3. How did Özal come to power after the 1980 military coup?

Following the coup, Özal, already recognized for his economic expertise, was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the economy in the military-backed government of Bülend Ulusu. After resigning in 1982 and the subsequent lifting of political bans, he founded the Motherland Party (ANAP) in 1983, which then won the general election, making him Prime Minister.

4. What was the Motherland Party (ANAP) known for?

ANAP, under Özal's leadership, was a center-right, liberal conservative party that advocated for free-market economics, modernization, and closer integration with the West. It dominated Turkish politics throughout the 1980s and was instrumental in implementing the economic reforms of that era.

5. What was Özal's approach to foreign policy?

Özal pursued a pragmatic and active foreign policy. He cultivated strong relations with Western allies, particularly the United States during the Gulf War, and worked to de-escalate regional conflicts, such as with Greece. He also initiated a "Turkic world" foreign policy, fostering relations with newly independent Turkic republics after the Soviet Union's collapse.

6. How did his presidency compare to his premiership?

While the presidency is traditionally a more ceremonial role in Turkey, Özal maintained a highly active and influential presence even as President. He often intervened in government affairs and public debates, which sometimes led to constitutional discussions about the division of powers, especially during Süleyman Demirel's premiership.

7. What were the circumstances surrounding Turgut Özal's death?

Özal died suddenly in office in 1993, which led to widespread speculation. An exhumation in 2012 revealed evidence of poisoning, including the presence of four different poisons in his body. However, due to various factors, including the long period between his death and the exhumation, the precise and definitive cause of death remained officially unclear, and no one was ever conclusively charged.