U.S. Wouldn’t Support Turkey Military Coup

The Clinton administration has warned Turkey’s military leaders that the United States will not support a coup d’etat against the country’s Islamic-led government, officials said Friday.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright said any changes in Turkey’s government should occur “within a democratic context and with no extra-constitutional approach.”

The U.S. position has been delivered to Turkish military leaders at least twice in the last two weeks by U.S. emissaries, following statements by Turkish generals that suggested they were considering a coup.

Turkey’s military has intervened several times in the nation’s modern history to restore law and order, with at least tacit U.S. support each time.

But in this case, officials said, a coup might strengthen the Islamist party of Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan and lead to more unrest.