[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[April 18, 1994]
[Pages 712-714]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 712]]


Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Cyprus Conflict
April 18, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Chairman:)
    In accordance with Public Law 95-384 (22 U.S.C. 2373(c)), I am 
submitting to you this report on progress toward a negotiated settlement 
of the Cyprus question. The previous report covered the remainder of 
September 1993, through November 15, 1993. The current report covers the 
remainder of November 1993, through March 1, 1994.
    Ambassador Richard A. Boucher, my new representative in Cyprus, 
presented his credentials at a ceremony in Nicosia on November 22. In 
his remarks, Ambassador Boucher reiterated the strong commitment of my 
Administration in supporting efforts to resolve the Cyprus question. 
Stressing the importance of breaking down barriers of mistrust, 
Ambassador Boucher said he would actively promote bi-communal contacts 
and measures to enhance confidence between the two communities.
    On November 22, 1993, the U.N. Secretary General issued his report 
in connection with the Security Council's comprehensive review of the 
U.N. Peacekeeping Operation in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Secretary General 
concluded that while UNFICYP has successfully kept the peace, the 
resulting opportunity has not been used properly by the two sides to 
reach an overall settlement. The Secretary General had no doubt that, 
were UNFICYP to be withdrawn, the present buffer zone would be a vacuum 
that each side would want to fill. He thus recommended that the mandate 
of UNFICYP be extended for a further 6-month period, until June 15, 
1994. The Secretary General also stated emphatically that the two sides 
on the island, as well as Turkey and Greece, should work more 
effectively for a negotiated settlement. He called on all parties to 
show a serious willingness to negotiate and urged both sides to work to 
promote tolerance and reconciliation. He faulted both sides for their 
reluctance to undertake bi-communal activities.
    On December 1, 1993, Mr. Robert Lamb was appointed as U.S. Special 
Cyprus Coordinator. Robert Lamb, having served as U.S. Ambassador to 
Cyprus from 1990 to 1993, brings valuable experience to the position. I 
would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of Mr. John 
Maresca, who, as U.S. Special Cyprus Coordinator, contributed 
significantly to the process.
    Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb traveled to Cyprus December 1. His 
arrival in Cyprus on the first day of his appointment underlined my 
Administration's resolve to achieve progress on the island. He conveyed 
the message that the confidence-building measures (CBMs) are a balanced, 
workable package for both communities, and that the United States was 
prepared to work with both communities to ensure that their concerns are 
addressed satisfactorily.
    Assistant Secretary Stephen Oxman traveled to Turkey December 8-9, 
1993, for the United States-Turkey Joint Economic Commission. While 
there, he met with Prime Minister Ciller and Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Under Secretary Sanberk. He told Prime Minister Ciller that after the 
December 12, 1993, Turkish-Cypriot election, the United States wanted to 
move the process forward. The Turkish side pointed out that Turkey had 
spoken out in support of the Secretary General's efforts for the CBM 
package, and assured Mr. Oxman of Turkey's continued cooperation.
    The Director of the Department of State's Office for Southern 
Europe, Marshall Adair, accompanied Assistant Secretary Oxman to Turkey 
and also met with a variety of Turkish government officials and 
parliamentarians to emphasize the importance of moving forward on the 
CBM package. He then visited Athens and met with Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs officials on this subject there. On December 12, 1993, Mr. Adair 
traveled to Cyprus. He and Ambassador Boucher met with President 
Clerides and Mr. Denktash on December 13, 1993, and stressed that the 
United States believes we are at a stage where a step forward could be 
taken.
    In New York, Mr. Lamb met December 14, 1993, with the U.N. Special 
Negotiator for Cyprus, Joe Clark, and his deputy, Gustave Feissel. Mr. 
Clark said that the Turkish-Cypriot elections created a favorable 
atmosphere for progress on the CBMs. The United Nations noted, however, 
that both sides had legitimate questions that should be answered before 
implementation.

[[Page 713]]

    Also in New York on December 15, 1993, the U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 889 (1993) was adopted unanimously, extending UNFICYP's 
mandate for another 6 months. The resolution also called upon the 
authorities to ensure that no incidents occurred in the buffer zone and 
to extend the 1989 Unmanning Agreement. It also welcomed the Secretary 
General's decision to resume extensive contacts with both sides in order 
to achieve an agreement on the CBMs, and requested the Secretary General 
to submit a report in late February on the outcome of his efforts with 
respect to the CBMs.
    On the same day, the Secretary General released two studies on the 
CBMs. The reports concluded that the reopening of Nicosia International 
Airport and the closed city of Varosha would offer significant economic 
benefits for both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities. 
They went on to say that the CBMs were not a substitute for a 
comprehensive political solution, but rather were intended to create 
momentum to reach an overall agreement. The reports also noted that the 
work required to reopen Varosha and Nicosia International Airport would 
lead to much-needed direct contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
    Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb traveled to Athens on December 21, 
1993. He met with Director General of the Foreign Ministry Christos 
Zacharakis and Deputy Foreign Minister George Papandreou. On December 
22-23, 1993, he continued to Ankara where he met with Foreign Minister 
Hikmet Cetin and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He 
thanked Turkey for its support for progress on the CBMs and an early 
resumption of the talks. The Foreign Minister assured Mr. Lamb that 
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots wanted to work within the United Nations 
process. The Athens and Ankara meetings were very positive. Mr. Lamb 
stressed that the United States wanted an agreement soon on Cyprus, but 
it had to be a fair agreement that takes into account the interests of 
both communities. He said that we should concentrate first on the CBMs, 
as they offered the most promising approach.
    Throughout the period, Ambassador Boucher remained in close contact 
with the two sides to offer U.S. encouragement and assistance to the 
process.
    On January 10, 1994, following the December 12, 1993, Turkish-
Cypriot elections, the Democratic Party and the Republican Turkish Party 
completed their coalition and received a vote of confidence. The stage 
was thus set for a quick resumption of the negotiations.
    While in Brussels January 9-11, 1994, I had the opportunity to raise 
many issues of U.S. concern, including Cyprus, with Greek Prime Minister 
Andreas Papandreou and Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller. I told them 
that we must move forward with a fair and permanent settlement. Both 
leaders assured me of their interest in finding a solution on Cyprus and 
promised to work diligently towards this goal.
    In Cyprus Mr. Feissel continued his contacts, seeking an agreement 
in principle on the CBMs from the two leaders. Mr. Clark visited Cyprus, 
Greece, and Turkey January 22-28, 1994. He stressed the importance of 
proceeding quickly and directly. Following additional exchanges of 
correspondence with the U.N. Secretary General, both leaders confirmed 
their acceptance in principle of the CBMs and their willingness to 
discuss modalities for implementing them.
    Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb traveled to Nicosia on January 31, 
1994, to consult with each side. He reiterated the U.S. message that 
there was an urgent need for progress on the CBMs. Both sides stated 
their willingness to negotiate in good faith. On February 3, U.N. 
Secretary General Boutros-Ghali wrote to the parties welcoming their 
acceptance in principle of the package and urging the discussions on key 
issues be completed within 2 months.
    U.N. Special Negotiator Clark opened proximity talks on key issues 
related to the CBMs in Nicosia on February 17-18, 1994. He characterized 
these talks as constructive, and praised the goodwill he found on both 
sides. The talks are continuing under Deputy Representative Feissel.
    Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb consulted on February 25, 1994, with 
Russian Foreign Ministry officials in Moscow. These consultations were 
in the context of our continuing dialogue with the Russians on a variety 
of international issues. He also met with British Foreign Office 
representatives in London on February 28, as part of our routine, 
periodic discussions with the British. These meetings with two 
representatives of the Permanent Members of the Security Council once 
again demonstrated the international resolve to find a fair solution to 
the Cyprus question.

[[Page 714]]

    There is currently a window of opportunity that should not be 
allowed to close without an agreement being reached on the CBMs. They 
provide real benefits to both communities, not least of which is that 
they can form the base from which the two parties could resume 
discussions on an overall settlement.
    Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Claiborne Pell, Chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations.