Army Kicks Out Syrian Regime - 28/03/1962

Army Kicks Out Syrian Regime

United Press International

 

Damascus, Syria - The Syrian army seized power early today and promised to continue the principles of last fall’s military coup which split Syria from Egypt.

 

The takeover topped the short-lived elected government of President Nazim El Koudsi who resigned along with his cabinet and 172-member parliament.

 

A series of army communiques established military rule but promised eventual return of the government to civil control.

 

Damascus Radio charged the Koudsi government was corrupt and riddled with “reactionary elements” and some political leaders would be brought to trial. The army decreed the closing of borders, airports and harbors until further noticed and banned all demonstrations.

 

“Pending the formation of the a transitional cabinet, the army will shoulder the legislative and executive functions in Syria.” Damascus Radio said.

 

IT SAID Gen. Abdul Kerim Zahredeen, commander in chief of the army, had accepted the resignations of political leaders. This seemed to place him as the leader of the coup.

 

Damascus Radio said “reactionaries” and “plotters” had infiltrated the government seeking to enrich themselves at the expense of workers and had delayed reforms demanded by the military.

 

The radio proclaimed that the new regime would seek Arab unity, carry out Socialist reforms, follow a foreign policy of neutrality and nonalignment, respect treaties with other nations and adhere to its loyalty to the United Nations.

 

THIS WAS basically the platform outlined after the Sept. 28 revolution by the trasnitional premier, Dr. Mamoun Kuzbari.

 

One army communique indicated the recent Syrian-ISraeli border clashes may have precipitated the takeover.

 

“The army kept warning against imperialism and its intentions - this imperialism which has instigated Israel to attack Syria,” the broadcast said.

 

The proclamation of the coup came while Koudsi was trying to find a new premier to replace Dr. Marouf Dawalibi who resigned Sunday.

 

The bulletins broadcast by the army today indicated it was dissatisfied with the way conservatives were eliminating Socialist measures instituted in Syria during its three and a half year union with Egypt.