[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
[November 7, 1997]
[Page 1512]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 1512]]


Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus
November 7, 1997

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 May 
31, 1997. The current submission covers the period June 1, 1997, through 
July 31, 1997.
    The reporting period was marked by two important developments. The 
first was my appointment on June 4 of Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke as 
the new Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus. This appointment of 
one of our most capable negotiators demonstrates our commitment to help 
promote a final political settlement for Cyprus.
    The second key development was U.N. Secretary General Annan's June 9 
invitation to the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President 
Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, to engage in 
direct talks under U.N. auspices. These were the first face-to-face 
meetings of the two leaders since October 1994. Two rounds of direct 
talks were held, the first from July 9 to July 13 in Troutbeck, New York 
(which is treated in this report), and the second from August 11 to 
August 15 in Switzerland (which will be covered in the next report). 
United Nations Special Advisor for Cyprus Cordovez noted that the 
cordial atmosphere between the parties at Troutbeck was a good beginning 
for subsequent negotiating sessions. A U.S. diplomatic effort for the 
U.N. settlement process was led by Ambassador Holbrooke, who met with 
Messrs. Clerides and Denktash before and after the talks.
    Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

November 7, 1997

Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Jesse Helms, chairman, Senate Committee on 
Foreign Relations. The letter referred to United Nations Special Advisor 
for Cyprus Diego Cordovez.