    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 30, 1999]
    [Page 468]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus
    March 30, 1999

    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 covering the period December 1, 1998, to January 31,
    1999.
        In an important step toward easing tensions on Cyprus, the
    Government of Cyprus announced on December 29 that the S-300 anti-
    aircraft missiles that it had ordered from Russia would not be delivered
    to the island. This positive and welcome decision gave important new
    impetus to efforts to reduce tensions and promote a just and lasting
    settlement of the Cyprus dispute.
        The United Nations remained active during the reporting period in
    the effort to resolve the Cyprus dispute. In addition to renewing the
    mandate for the U.N. Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the U.N. Security
    Council adopted Resolution 1218 that endorsed the Secretary
    General's September 30 initiative to reduce
    tensions and promote a just and lasting peace on Cyprus. In a December
    23 statement, I wholeheartedly endorsed Resolution 1218 and directed
    that the United States take all necessary steps to support a sustained
    effort to implement it. As I said then and wish to emphasize now, the
    United States remains deeply committed to finding a viable solution to
    the Cyprus problem.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

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