Toppling governments

The military may seize power in a coup, coup d’etat, putsch or military takeover and impose martial law, or military control, on the country.

In a revolution, there is a sudden, often violent, change of regime involving ordinary people, political parties and usually the military.

In revolutions and military takeovers, the previous government is overthrown, deposed, or in media terms, toppled. A revolution or coup is bloodless if there is no fighting, and bloody if there is.

The military may promise a return or handover to civilian rule, or rule by non-military politicians, after a time.

For Chilean President Patricio Aylwin, it was a chance to heal old wounds. Aylwin who’s a center-right Christian Democrat, once supported Allende’s overthrow. But for General Augusto Pinochet, who toppled Allende and then seized power for 16 years, the ceremony was an affront.

The coup that deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has left Haitians and their diplomats angry and frustrated with the United Nations.

But who would be the strongmen in a coup? Yakovlev himself thinks admits an army putsch is unlikely.

About every ten years, something sensational happens in Turkish politics. On the past three occasions that something has been a military takeover. This time change may come through the ballot box.

This so called coup d’etat was like a bad play with a second-rate cast. Some say it turned into a second Russian revolution, but I say history repeats itself – the first time as tragedy, the second as farce.

It is unclear what has happened to the president, although reports from the area indicate that it was a bloodless coup.

But in fact martial law seems to have been replaced by equally severe laws limiting political and religious freedom.

The return to civilian rule, which begins with local government elections in December, is being carefully monitored by the current military government.

The League won a sweeping majority in elections two months ago, but the authorities have set no timetable for a handover to civilian rule.

UNREST

Where opposition to a regime is widespread, there may be periods of civil or social unrest with protests or demonstrations: groups of protesters and demonstrators marching through the streets perhaps silently, or perhaps chanting, or rhythmically shouting, slogans.

Mugabe is taking no chances. With the threats of industrial and social unrest real, new water cannon and riot gear have been ordered for the police.

The star’s entourage were said to be shocked that they had arrived in the West African country in the middle of a period of civil unrest, with student groups trying to overthrow the government. Mr. Jones said he did not know how the plans for the making of ‘A Return to Africa’ video would be affected.

In Romania, a relatively quiet day of demonstration erupted into noisy protest by hundreds of people chanting anti-government slogans in Bucharest’s University Square.

Пособие по работе с газетой (ключи)