    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
    [Page 1725]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Cyprus

    September 10, 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 June 1, 1999, to July 31, 1999. The
    previous submission covered events during April and May 1999.
        Cyprus was one of the many issues raised at the G-8 Summit in
    Cologne, Germany, this past June. My colleagues agreed that a resolution
    to the dispute is long overdue and issued a statement urging U.N.
    Secretary-General Kofi Annan to ``invite the leaders of the two parties
    to negotiations in the fall of 1999.'' This is a positive step toward
    addressing the legitimate concerns of both sides and reaching a just and
    lasting solution for all Cypriots.
        In July, Secretary of Defense William Cohen traveled to Greece and
    Turkey to enhance our bilateral relations and underscore the important
    role Greece and Turkey play in maintaining stability in the southern
    European region. Secretary Cohen also emphasized the U.S. commitment to
    reaching a Cyprus solution.
        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 item was not received in time for publication in
    the appropriate issue.