NATO CALLS ON GREECE AND TURKEY TO AVOID FORCE

  Greece and Turkey's NATO allies today
  called on both countries to avoid any action that could
  aggravate an explosive situation in the Aegean and "avoid
  recourse to force at all costs."
      After an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors, a statement
  was issued saying "the present situation damages the interests
  of Greece and Turkey, and of the Alliance as a whole."
      Secretary-General Lord Carrington also offered himself as a
  mediator in the dispute on the Western Alliance's southern
  flank.
      The meeting was called after reports that warships of both
  countries were sailing towards a disputed oil exploration zone
  of the Aegean.
      The statement said the tensions in the area had reached a
  serious level and called on both countries to begin immediate
  discussions. "Any intensification would make things worse," it
  added.
      No attempt was made at the meeting to resolve the complex
  dispute which was aimed at damage-limitation. Carrington said,
  "I am of course anxious to help in any way I can, provided that
  both Greece and Turkey, and the other allies, wish me to do so."
  

