Voice of America, 97-10-12

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY HOLBROOKE (L-O) BY ISTANBUL (KYLE KING)

[01] TURKEY HOLBROOKE (L-O) BY ISTANBUL (KYLE KING)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL ENVOY, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, IS TO HOLD A NEW ROUND OF TALKS WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS IN ANKARA (MONDAY). AS CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL, THE LATEST DIPLOMATIC PUSH TO SETTLE THE LONG-STANDING CYPRUS CONFLICT COMES AMID INCREASING TENSIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY MR. HOLBROOKE'S VISIT TO ANKARA IS DESIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CYPRUS ISSUE HELD RECENTLY IN NEW YORK.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ENGAGED IN AN ACTIVE PROCESS OF DISCUSSIONS TO SEE WHAT ASSISTANCE THE UNITED STATES CAN PROVIDE TO RESOLVE THE LONG-STANDING DISPUTE.

OFFICIALS SAY STATE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR CYPRUS, TOM MILLER, IS TO TAKE PART IN THE ANKARA TALKS. HE IS TO FLY LATER TO ATHENS, WITHOUT MR. HOLBROOKE, FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH GREEK OFFICIALS.

RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY HAVE WORSENED SINCE GREEK CYPRIOTS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO DEPLOY RUSSIAN-MADE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES. TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE DEMANDED THE GREEK CYPRIOTS SCRAP THE DEPLOYMENT PLAN, SAYING MISSILES WOULD UPSET THE STRATEGIC BALANCE OF THE REGION AND WORSEN TENSIONS ON THE ISLAND.

GREEK OFFICIALS, WHO HAVE A JOINT-DEFENSE AGREEMENT WITH CYPRUS, SAY TURKISH MILITARY EFFORTS TO BLOCK NEXT YEAR'S SCHEDULED DEPLOYMENT COULD SPARK A WIDER CONFLICT BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY. ANKARA BACKS THE BREAKAWAY TURKISH-CYPRIOT STATE IN NORTHERN CYPRUS, AND TURKEY HAS SEVERAL-THOUSAND TROOPS STATIONED ON THE ISLAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
12-Oct-97 3:14 PM EDT (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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