Today in History – 18 December

İsmet İnönü goes to Paris for eye care

İsmet İnönü’s eye disease had progressed considerably in the 1970s. Having difficulty particularly with reading and writing, İnönü was often assisted by his granddaughter Gülsün.

A few days after the government was formed, İnönü had cataract surgery on December 11, 1972 and left for Paris on December 15th to have special glasses made. During his weeklong stay, İnönü not only had an ophthalmological exam, but also held some diplomatic meetings, including one with the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schumann at the Turkish Embassy. President Georges Pompidou received İnönü at the Elysée Palace.