Press Conference by the US Secretary of State (96-02-04)

From: DOSFAN <gopher://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/>

U.S. State Department Directory

For Immediate Release
February 4, 1996

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QUESTION: Form the Greek television Omega: Mr. Secretary, these days after Bosnia we were close to another conflict on the south of Balkans, between Greece and Turkey. The question is: whether the United States supported more the position of Turkey and have you in your plans to visit soon Athens and Ankara?

SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: I am very sorry. Could someone help me with that question, or could you just repeat it? I didn't hear the introduction to it.

QUESTION: Did the United states support in this case more the positions of Turkey? Have you plans to visit soon Athens and Ankara?

SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Did I support the position of Turkey?

SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Oh, I am sorry. You are talking about the conflict that arose over the island last week?

QUESTION: Yes.

SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: I was deeply involved in that and contacted the Foreign Ministers of both countries, and also talked briefly with Prime Minister Ciller. Our aim in that situation was to urge restraint on behalf of both of the parties, to urge them to draw away from the confrontation. We did not take sides in the matter. We simply said to both NATO allies that we thought the matter ought to be resolved peacefully by discussions between the two of them and I strongly urged that on the two Foreign Ministers and I am very glad that the outcome was a peaceful one and I certainly don't want to characterize the United States as taking sides between either of the parties. I don't have any present plans to travel to those countries, but I wouldn't be surprised if I do so before the year is out, and other members of the State Department will be following through, to see if we can be helpful in that matter as the two countries themselves move to discussions and resolution.

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