[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[December 23, 1998]
[Page 2210]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2210]]


Statement on United Nations Efforts Toward a Political Settlement in 
Cyprus
December 23, 1998

    The United States remains deeply committed to finding a viable 
solution to the Cyprus problem. A political settlement that would put an 
end to the tragic division of Cyprus has been and continues to be a high 
priority of my administration.
    The United States strongly supports U.N. Secretary-General Annan's 
September 30, 1998, initiative to reduce tensions and promote progress 
toward a just and lasting settlement on Cyprus. The Security Council has 
adopted UNSCR 1218 endorsing Secretary-General Annan's initiative and 
requesting him to intensify his efforts to achieve specific objectives 
to reduce tensions and promote a comprehensive settlement to this 
longstanding dispute.
    The United States wholeheartedly supports this resolution. We will 
take all necessary steps to support a sustained effort to implement 
UNSCR 1218.
    I am encouraged by the cooperation and engagement demonstrated by 
the two sides thus far in working with the U.N. I believe 1999 can offer 
significant opportunities to achieve progress toward a Cyprus settlement 
that will meet the concerns of the parties involved. The Secretary-
General's ongoing initiative is critically important to making those 
opportunities a reality.
    Just as the international community is stepping up its efforts on 
Cyprus through the U.N., it is important for the Cypriots themselves to 
support those efforts. I urge all the parties to avoid taking any steps 
that could increase tensions on the island, including the expansion of 
military forces and armaments. This will make possible the significant 
efforts that I and others want to make in order to promote substantial 
progress toward a political settlement of the Cyprus problem in 1999.