Military

DATE=10-27-00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268539

TITLE=CLINTON / CYPRUS (L ONLY)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Clinton says he is disappointed that he has not been able to resolve the dispute between Turkey and Greece over Cyprus, but says he is willing to continue working on the issue after he leaves office next year. V-O-A Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White House.

TEXT: Mr. Clinton had made resolving the Cyprus issue a high priority in his second term.

Last year, he visited Greece and Turkey in an effort to promote reconciliation between the two NATO allies, saying their dispute was a roadblock to a united, stable Europe. His trip paved the way for the resumption of talks aimed at reunifying Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.

But tensions escalated again this week, prompting Greece to pull out of NATO military exercises in Turkey.

In an appearance before reporters Friday, Mr. Clinton said he is disappointed that he has not been able to do more to resolve the Cyprus problem. He did not comment directly on the latest tensions, saying he had been focused on developments in the Middle East.

/// CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

I can say that one of the relatively small number of real disappointments I have after eight years of working in the foreign policy field is that I have not made more progress in helping to resolve the Cyprus issue, because I have always felt that Turkey should be integrated into Europe, I have always felt that Turkey and Greece should be natural allies because they are allies in NATO, and I have seen them work together.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Clinton expressed hope that more progress could be made toward resolving the dispute before he leaves office. But if not, he said he would be willing to continue working on the issue after his term ends in January.

The President said the whole world was - in his words - "profoundly moved" by the way the two nations came to each other's aid after earthquakes struck each country last year.

He said Greece and Turkey are paying a price not worth paying by continuing their impasse over Cyprus. (Signed)

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