[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 39 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Pages 1863-1864]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Cyprus

September 22, 1998

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 June 1 to July 31, 1998. The 
previous submission covered events during April to May 1998.
    Landings of combat aircraft on Cyprus by Greece and Turkey in mid-
July escalated tensions in the region and complicated efforts to reach a 
bizonal, bicommunal settlement on the island. Despite this, we 
intensified our efforts to restart the negotiating process. United 
States representatives underscored my concern with the leaders of both 
Cypriot communities as well as Greek and Turkish officials and urged all 
parties to concentrate on ways to take those steps that will lead to 
solving the Cyprus problem.
    United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued two reports on 
the U.N. Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the U.N. Mission of 
Good Offices in Cyprus (copies enclosed). Thereafter, the U.N. Security 
Council adopted two resolutions, one renewing the UNFICYP mandate for a 
6-month period and another endorsing the Secretary-General's Good 
Offices Mission (copies enclosed).
    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.

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