[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 2, 1992]
[Page 1741]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Telephone 
Conversation With Turkish Leaders on the Missile Accident
October 2, 1992

    The President spoke today with President Turgut Ozal and Prime 
Minister Suleyman Demirel of Turkey to express the intense sorrow and 
regret of the United States for the unfortunate and tragic accident 
involving ships of our two navies during the multination NATO exercises 
in the Mediterranean. The President expressed profound sympathy for the 
families of the victims and assured the Turkish leaders that a full and 
complete investigation of this tragic accident would be undertaken.

                    Note: On October 2, the U.S.S. ``Saratoga'' 
                        accidentally fired two missiles, hitting a 
                        Turkish destroyer and killing five of its crew.