USA: WASHINGTON: TURKEY'S PM BULENT ECEVIT VISIT (2)

Описание: (28 Sep 1999) English/Nat

Turkey's Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, has held talks at the White House with U-S President Bill Clinton to discuss rebuilding efforts in the wake of last month's devastating earthquake.

President Clinton and Prime Minister Ecevit are also expected to talk about Cyprus.

The Turkish Prime Minister arrived for his second meeting at the White House with ceremony.

Once inside the Prime Minister was expected to discuss with President Clinton the ongoing rebuilding efforts after last month's earthquake, the situation in Kosovo and Turkey's foreign relations.

President Clinton says the meeting occurs in an atmosphere of optimism.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I would like to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to Turkey for the outstanding leadership exhibited during the crisis in Kosovo and the role Turkey played working with our NATO allies. We have must to discuss today, including the progress in dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake, the improving relationships between Turkey, Greece and the European Union and questions involving Cyprus, human rights, economic reform; many other things."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, United States President

The official death toll from the August the 17th quake is nearly 16-thousand, but hundreds, perhaps even thousands, are missing.

President Clinton was asked by reporters what he thought was the state of Turkey's relationships with European Union and NATO countries.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"First of all I believe there has been some progress. There has been a change of attitude in some of the European capitals about Turkey's integration into the EU. I think that the actions that have been taken to improve relations with Greece have helped. I think some of the actions on human rights have helped. And I think more movement in those directions will eventually get the result that Turkey wants."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, United States President

Also on the agenda for discussion between the two leaders was Cyprus.

Turkey and Greece have been at odds over Cyprus since Turkey sent troops to the island in 1974, but relations between the two countries have warmed following the Turkish quake.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What we have been working for all along is a resumption of UN sponsored talks without preconditions and we hope that somehow we can find a way to get there."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, United States President

U-S officials have also been urging Turks to cut back military spending and use the savings for reconstruction.

Clinton is due to visit Turkey in November.

In addition to attending a European summit in Istanbul, he's expected to see quake recovery efforts.

The president plans to visit Greece on the same trip.

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