Clifford in vital talks on N.A.T.O.

Press, 23 February 1977, Page 8

Clifford in vital talks on N.A.T.O.

[NZPA-Reuter Ankara I The special United States i envoy, Mr Clark Clifford, has concluded two days of [talks with Turkish leaders in 'Ankara after reporting “exponent progress” in his [efforts to smooth relations (with the crucial North Atlantic Treat j' Organisation (member. [ Mr Clifford. sent to [Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus (by President Carter to help [promote progress towards a [Cyprus settlement and to (shore up N.A.T.O.’s strained (southern flank, has had long (private talks with the Prime [Minister (Mr Suleyman Demirel) and the Foreign [Minister (Mr Ihsan Sabri ICaglayangil). Turkish official sources (said that the Ankara Government was keen to have a (full flow of American arms [supplies resumed. United States arms credits have been limited since Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974, and the Carter Admin[istration has withheld approval of an agreement: negotiated last year to step up the flow, apparently waiting .to see what happens over Cyprus The Turkish official position is normally to reject any suggestion of a link between United States arms' [credits and the Cyprus issue. Mr Demirel, asked by reporters whether he and Mr' Clifford had discussed Cyprus,; replied that al! aspects of; Turkish-United States relations had been discussed, and this included Cyprus because “Cyprus is the begin-, ning of everything.”

The United States was understood to want to see evidence that the resumption of negotiations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, agreed in Nicosia earlier this month, would produce more useful efforts than the discussions which Ibroke down last year.