DATE=7/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235597
TITLE=CYPRUS / PENTAGON L UPDATE
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: TURKEY'S TOP GENERAL AND THE TOP U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS
TALKED OVER WAYS TO REDUCE TENSIONS IN CYPRUS AT THE PENTAGON
THURSDAY. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE DISCUSSIONS PRODUCED NO
MAJOR PROGRESS ON THE COMPLEX ISSUES THAT DIVIDE THE ISLAND INTO
GREEK AND TURKISH SECTORS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE TALKS
ARE PART OF A LONG-TERM EFFORT TO FIND PEACE ON THE DIVIDED
ISLAND.
TEXT: THE CHIEF OF THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF, GENERAL ISMAIL
KARADAYI (PRONO: KARA-DIE-YAH) MET PRIVATELY WITH U-S DEFENSE
SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS, GENERAL
HUGH SHELTON.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS A 'DRAMATIC NEED' TO REDUCE TENSIONS
BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY OVER CYPRUS, BUT PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN
BACON SAID HE HAD LITTLE SPECIFIC PROGRESS TO REPORT.
/// BACON ACT ///
WE ARE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE BOTH THE GREEK SIDE AND THE
TURKISH SIDE TO STEP BACK FROM POTENTIAL CONFLICT, TO
STEP BACK FROM THE CURRENT CONFRONTATION, AND TO LOOK
FOR MORE PEACEFUL, MORE STABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE
PROBLEMS.
/// END ACT ///
MR. BACON SAYS WASHINGTON HAS PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO RESOLVING
THE CYPRUS ISSUE. HE SAYS A HIGH RANKING PENTAGON OFFICIAL IS
ABOUT TO RETURN FROM TALKS IN TURKEY ON THE MATTER, THE GREEK
DEFENSE MINISTER VISITED FOR DISCUSSIONS LAST WEEK AND SECRETARY
COHEN VISITED BOTH GREECE AND TURKEY EARLIER THIS YEAR.
MR. BACON SAYS GREEK CYPRIOT PLANS TO BUY SOPHISTICATED
ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES FROM RUSSIA ARE A STEP IN THE WRONG
DIRECTION. HE SAYS THE 'S-300'S' INCREASE TENSIONS ON THE ISLAND
AND MAKE THE GREEK CYPRIOTS LESS SECURE.
CYPRUS HAS BEEN SPLIT BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH SIDES SINCE A
TURKISH INVASION IN 1974. THAT ACTION FOLLOWED DAYS AFTER A COUP
AGAINST THE ISLAND GOVERNMENT BACKED BY THE GREEK MILITARY
GOVERNMENT.
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN TRYING TO RE-START TALKS BETWEEN THE
TWO SIDES, BUT THE TURKS COMPLAIN THAT THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES THE GREEK-LED CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION AS THE
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF THE ENTIRE ISLAND, WHILE IGNORING THE
TURKISH COMMUNITY THERE.
MR. BACON SAYS BESIDES CYPRUS, THE TURKS AND AMERICANS DISCUSSED
PEACEKEEPING IN THE BALKANS BY BOTH GREECE AND TURKEY, AS WELL AS
THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO.
THEY ALSO DISCUSSED NATO SUGGESTIONS FOR 'CONFIDENCE BUILDING
MEASURES' IN THE AEGEAN. THESE MEASURES ARE THOUGHT TO INCLUDE
THINGS LIKE IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO
MILITARIES TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL CONFRONTATION, AND BANNING ARMED
TRAINING FLIGHTS BY MILITARY AIRCRAFT.(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/LTD/JO
16-Jul-98 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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