    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 16 (Monday, April 25, 1994)]
    [Pages 834-836]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Cyprus Conflict

    April 18, 1994

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Chairman:)

        In accordance with Public Law 95-384 (22 U.S.C. 2373(c)), I am
    submitting to you this report on progress toward a negotiated settlement
    of the Cyprus question. The previous report covered the remainder of
    September 1993, through November 15, 1993. The current report covers the
    remainder of November 1993, through March 1, 1994.
        Ambassador Richard A. Boucher, my new representative in Cyprus,
    presented his credentials at a ceremony in Nicosia on November 22. In
    his remarks, Ambassador Boucher reiterated the strong commitment of my
    Administration in supporting efforts to resolve the Cyprus question.
    Stressing the importance of breaking down barriers of mistrust,
    Ambassador Boucher said he would actively promote bi-communal contacts
    and measures to enhance confidence between the two communities.
        On November 22, 1993, the U.N. Secretary General issued his report
    in connection with the Security Council's comprehensive review of the
    U.N. Peacekeeping Operation in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Secretary General
    concluded that while UNFICYP has successfully kept the peace, the
    resulting opportunity has not been used properly by the two sides to
    reach an overall settlement. The Secretary General had no doubt that,
    were UNFICYP to be withdrawn, the present buffer zone would be a vacuum
    that each side would want to fill. He thus recommended that the mandate
    of UNFICYP be extended for a further 6-month period, until June 15,
    1994. The Secretary General also stated emphatically that the two sides
    on the island, as well as Turkey and Greece, should work more
    effectively for a negotiated settlement. He called on all parties to
    show a serious willingness to negotiate and urged both sides to work to
    promote tolerance and reconciliation. He faulted both sides for their
    reluctance to undertake bi-communal activities.
        On December 1, 1993, Mr. Robert Lamb was appointed as U.S. Special
    Cyprus Coordinator. Robert Lamb, having served as U.S. Ambassador to
    Cyprus from 1990 to 1993, brings valuable experience to the position. I
    would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of Mr. John
    Maresca, who, as U.S. Special Cyprus Coordinator, contributed
    significantly to the process.
        Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb traveled to Cyprus December 1. His
    arrival in Cyprus on the first day of his appointment underlined my
    Administration's resolve to achieve progress on the island. He conveyed
    the message that the confidence-building measures (CBMs) are a balanced,
    workable package for both communities, and that the United States was
    prepared to work with both communities to ensure that their concerns are
    addressed satisfactorily.
        Assistant Secretary Stephen Oxman traveled to Turkey December 8-9,
    1993, for the United States-Turkey Joint Economic Commission. While
    there, he met with Prime Minister Ciller and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Under Secretary Sanberk. He told Prime Minister Ciller that after the
    December 12, 1993, Turkish-Cypriot election, the United States wanted to
    move the process forward. The Turkish side pointed out that Turkey had
    spoken out in support of the Secretary General's efforts for the CBM
    package, and assured Mr. Oxman of Turkey's continued cooperation.
        The Director of the Department of State's Office for Southern
    Europe, Marshall Adair, accompanied Assistant Secretary Oxman to Turkey
    and also met with a variety of Turkish government officials and
    parliamentarians to emphasize the importance of moving forward on the
    CBM package. He then visited Athens and met with Ministry of Foreign
    Affairs officials on this subject there. On December 12, 1993, Mr. Adair
    traveled to Cyprus. He and Ambassador Boucher met with President
    Clerides and Mr. Denktash on December 13, 1993, and stressed that the
    United States believes we are at a stage where a step forward could be
    taken.

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        In New York, Mr. Lamb met December 14, 1993, with the U.N. Special
    Negotiator for Cyprus, Joe Clark, and his deputy, Gustave Feissel. Mr.
    Clark said that the Turkish-Cypriot elections created a favorable
    atmosphere for progress on the CBMs. The United Nations noted, however,
    that both sides had legitimate questions that should be answered before
    implementation.
        Also in New York on December 15, 1993, the U.N. Security Council
    Resolution 889 (1993) was adopted unanimously, extending UNFICYP's
    mandate for another 6 months. The resolution also called upon the
    authorities to ensure that no incidents occurred in the buffer zone and
    to extend the 1989 Unmanning Agreement. It also welcomed the Secretary
    General's decision to resume extensive contacts with both sides in order
    to achieve an agreement on the CBMs, and requested the Secretary General
    to submit a report in late February on the outcome of his efforts with
    respect to the CBMs.
        On the same day, the Secretary General released two studies on the
    CBMs. The reports concluded that the reopening of Nicosia International
    Airport and the closed city of Varosha would offer significant economic
    benefits for both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities.
    They went on to say that the CBMs were not a substitute for a
    comprehensive political solution, but rather were intended to create
    momentum to reach an overall agreement. The reports also noted that the
    work required to reopen Varosha and Nicosia International Airport would
    lead to much-needed direct contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
        Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb traveled to Athens on December 21,
    1993. He met with Director General of the Foreign Ministry Christos
    Zacharakis and Deputy Foreign Minister George Papandreou. On December
    22-23, 1993, he continued to Ankara where he met with Foreign Minister
    Hikmet Cetin and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He
    thanked Turkey for its support for progress on the CBMs and an early
    resumption of the talks. The Foreign Minister assured Mr. Lamb that
    Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots wanted to work within the United Nations
    process. The Athens and Ankara meetings were very positive. Mr. Lamb
    stressed that the United States wanted an agreement soon on Cyprus, but
    it had to be a fair agreement that takes into account the interests of
    both communities. He said that we should concentrate first on the CBMs,
    as they offered the most promising approach.
        Throughout the period, Ambassador Boucher remained in close contact
    with the two sides to offer U.S. encouragement and assistance to the
    process.
        On January 10, 1994, following the December 12, 1993, Turkish-
    Cypriot elections, the Democratic Party and the Republican Turkish Party
    completed their coalition and received a vote of confidence. The stage
    was thus set for a quick resumption of the negotiations.
        While in Brussels January 9-11, 1994, I had the opportunity to raise
    many issues of U.S. concern, including Cyprus, with Greek Prime Minister
    Andreas Papandreou and Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller. I told them
    that we must move forward with a fair and permanent settlement. Both
    leaders assured me of their interest in finding a solution on Cyprus and
    promised to work diligently towards this goal.
        In Cyprus Mr. Feissel continued his contacts, seeking an agreement
    in principle on the CBMs from the two leaders. Mr. Clark visited Cyprus,
    Greece, and Turkey January 22-28, 1994. He stressed the importance of
    proceeding quickly and directly. Following additional exchanges of
    correspondence with the U.N. Secretary General, both leaders confirmed
    their acceptance in principle of the CBMs and their willingness to
    discuss modalities for implementing them.
        Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb traveled to Nicosia on January 31,
    1994, to consult with each side. He reiterated the U.S. message that
    there was an urgent need for progress on the CBMs. Both sides stated
    their willingness to negotiate in good faith. On February 3, U.N.
    Secretary General Boutros-Ghali wrote to the parties welcoming their
    acceptance in principle of the package and urging the discussions on key
    issues be completed within 2 months.
        U.N. Special Negotiator Clark opened proximity talks on key issues
    related to the

    [[Page 836]]

    CBMs in Nicosia on February 17-18, 1994. He characterized these talks as
    constructive, and praised the goodwill he found on both sides. The talks
    are continuing under Deputy Representative Feissel.
        Special Cyprus Coordinator Lamb consulted on February 25, 1994, with
    Russian Foreign Ministry officials in Moscow. These consultations were
    in the context of our continuing dialogue with the Russians on a variety
    of international issues. He also met with British Foreign Office
    representatives in London on February 28, as part of our routine,
    periodic discussions with the British. These meetings with two
    representatives of the Permanent Members of the Security Council once
    again demonstrated the international resolve to find a fair solution to
    the Cyprus question.
        There is currently a window of opportunity that should not be
    allowed to close without an agreement being reached on the CBMs. They
    provide real benefits to both communities, not least of which is that
    they can form the base from which the two parties could resume
    discussions on an overall settlement.
        Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Claiborne Pell, Chairman of the Senate
    Committee on Foreign Relations.