[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 28 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Pages 1037-1038]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Cyprus

July 8, 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 March 
31, 1997. The current submission covers the period April 1, 1997, 
through May 31, 1997.
    During this reporting period, I was particularly pleased by the 
decisions taken by the Governments of Cyprus and Turkey to observe 
moratoriums on flights over Cyprus.

[[Page 1038]]

In April, the Government of Cyprus announced that it would not invite 
Greek aircraft to overfly Cyprus during a joint military exercise in 
May. It also indicated no other overflights are planned at this time. 
Turkey, later, decided to refrain from overflying Cyprus as long as 
Greece does not. As I noted in my last letter to you, these actions 
should help lessen regional tensions and contribute to a proper climate 
for negotiations.
    I was also encouraged by the effective action taken against 
extremists on both sides of the island when they attempted to disrupt a 
concert in May. The event proceeded without incident and the two 
communities mixed freely together in a very positive atmosphere.
    Finally, although it did not occur during this reporting period, the 
appointment June 4 of Richard Holbrooke as my Special Presidential 
Emissary for Cyprus reflects our strong and continued commitment to 
promoting Cyprus reconciliation efforts. The Special Presidential 
Emissary will lead our Cyprus diplomacy and I will inform you of his 
activities in upcoming reports.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, 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 July 9.