Reagan Urges Renewed Effort on Cyprus Problem

President Reagan called today for a “fair and lasting settlement” of the Cyprus problem, and he assured Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal that the United States is committed to high levels of aid to help Turkey modernize its armed forces.

As he escorted his guest to his limousine following their White House talks, Reagan said it is “essential that our two governments do all we can” to help find a solution to the division of Cyprus, nearly 40% of which is now occupied by Turkish Cypriots.

“Resolution of the Cyprus problem remains a high priority for our Administration,” Reagan said. “Though the January summit held under the U.N. secretary general’s auspices did not succeed, we remain hopeful that a fair and lasting settlement can be achieved.”

Ozal, the first Turkish prime minister to visit the United States in 14 years, did not specifically refer to Cyprus, but he told reporters he had “explained to the President our views as far as the situation in our region is concerned. I must say that we view this situation as quite dangerous and unstable.”

Despite concerns by Greece, Reagan pledged to continue high levels of aid to Turkey, but he made no comment on Turkey’s desire for still more U.S. aid.

For the fiscal year 1986, the Reagan Administration has requested that Congress approve $939 million in aid--military and economic--for Turkey, which is the third largest recipient of U.S. assistance.