US ambassador in Turkey assures Washington's desire to resolving the Cyprian case

US Ambassador Mark Paris said he has faith in Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit's ability to play a major role in reaching a permanent settlement for the Cyprus issue which is placed currently by the US administration at the top of international issues it wants to solve and which will be one of the major subjects raised on the agenda of US President Bill Clinton's meeting with Ecevit in Washington on Tuesday.

Paris referred to Washington's desire to make haste in reaching a solution to this problem, fearing that the continuation or escalation of the current situation may lead to throwing heavy shadows on Turkey's relations in general both with the USA and the European Union.

He added that the passage of time may mean changes in the military balance in Cyprus to Turkey's detriment.