    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 1, 1996]
    [Page 675]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 675]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus
    May 1, 1996

    Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Chairman:)
        In accordance with Public Law 95-384 (22 U.S.C. 2373(c)), I submit
    to you this report on progress toward a negotiated settlement of the
    Cyprus question. The previous submission covered progress through
    January 31, 1996. The current submission covers the period February 1,
    1996, through March 31, 1996.
        In support of the U.N. Secretary General's good office mission on
    Cyprus, my Administration hopes to be able to take an initiative on
    Cyprus this year. If the two communities possess sufficient political
    will to make tradeoffs required for an intercommunal agreement, we
    believe it should be possible to arrive at a fair and just solution.
    Attaining this goal requires the active support of Turkey and Greece.
    Although unavoidable events have delayed the launching of our Cyprus
    initiative, we have been preparing its groundwork. In this respect, in
    March I had a useful session on Cyprus with Turkish President Demirel
    who expressed his government's desire to be helpful. I plan on engaging
    other visitors similarly in the lead-up to our Cyprus effort.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Jesse Helms, chairman, Senate Committee on
    Foreign Relations.