[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.