[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
[April 25, 1997]
[Pages 511-512]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus
April 25, 1997

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Chairman:)
    In accordance with Public Law 95-384 (22 U.S.C. 23732(c)), I submit 
to you this report on progress toward a negotiated settlement of the 
Cyprus question. The previous submission covered progress through 
November 30, 1996. The current submission covers the period December 1, 
1996, through January 31, 1997.
    As I noted to you in my last report, we have been very concerned 
about the decision by the Government of Cyprus to purchase the SA-10 
anti-aircraft missile system and the resulting threats of a military 
strike by Turkey. The United States and its allies tried hard to 
persuade Cyprus that purchasing these missiles was a step leading away 
from negotiations, which remain the only way to solve the Cyprus 
problem. In the context of the already excessive levels of armaments on 
Cyprus and last summer's intercommunal violence, the government's 
decision to go forward with the purchases was doubly regrettable. 
Additionally, I remain disappointed that the parties have not 
implemented alternative measures to reduce tensions along the cease-fire 
lines. Despite these clear setbacks, I believe the decision by Cyprus, 
at our urging, to defer importation of components of the SA-10 system 
for 16 months is a step in the right direction and provides us with a 
window of opportunity to make progress in resolving the Cyprus issue.
    As Secretary Albright noted at her confirmation hearings, the 
parties need to take further steps to reduce tensions and improve the 
climate for negotiations. The United States remains committed to 
promoting a Cyprus settlement but needs the full cooperation of the 
parties, including Greece and Turkey, to achieve our mutual goals. We 
continue to see that the only way forward is direct, good faith 
negotiations between the parties themselves. The United States will 
continue to work toward bringing these negotiations about.
        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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on April 29.

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