KARACHI: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has expressed his willingness to visit Ankara and Athens to bring together the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Greece for a just settlement of the Cyprus problem which would be honourable for both the countries, according to a statement issued … on Monday [Sept 2] by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement said that the Prime Minister had recently spoken to the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Greece.

It added: “A suggestion was received from an important foreign source some weeks ago that Prime Minister Bhutto may personally help to bring together the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Greece for a settlement of the Cyprus problem. … In response the Prime Minister made it clear that he had no personal ambition to play a mediatory role and that he would not like to cause any distraction in … the diplomatic efforts undertaken by other Powers. … However, he could not assume a negative attitude and withhold his good offices wherever these would be serviceable to world peace. … Prime Minister Bhutto has … signified his willingness to visit the two capitals, if necessary, at short notice, compatibly with certain important commitments at home.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2024