    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [December 31, 1999]
    [Page 5]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus
    December 31, 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 October 1 to November 30, 1999. The
    previous submission covered events during August and September 1999.
        United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
    announced on November 13 the start of proximity talks in New York on
    December 3 to work towards a resolution to the long-standing Cyprus
    dispute. The goal of these talks is to prepare the ground for meaningful
    negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus
    problem.
        This welcome news was highlighted during my trip to Turkey and
    Greece from November 15-20 as a positive step toward bringing about a
    just and lasting solution for all Cypriots and improving Greek-Turkish
    relations for a more secure southern Europe.
            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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on January 3, 2000.