30 January 1996 SG/SM/5887
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER SUDDEN OUTBREAK OF TENSION BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY 19960130The following is a statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General:The Secretary-General is concerned by the sudden outbreak of tension between Greece and Turkey as a result of incidents in the neighbourhood of the uninhabited islet of Imia in the Aegean Sea. On his instructions, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs has this morning seen separately the Charg� d'Affaires of the Permanent Missions of Greece and Turkey and, on the Secretary-General's behalf, urged that both Governments exercise restraint. Specifically, the Secretary-General believes that the best way to avoid further escalation would be for each side to withdraw its naval vessels and other forces from the vicinity of Imia, to avoid public statements which could encourage its citizens to initiate further incidents, and to take steps to resolve the differences between the two sides by peaceful means. The Greek and Turkish Charg� d'Affaires undertook to transmit the Secretary-General's views to their authorities immediately. * *** *
United Nations
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