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

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.