[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 35 (Monday, September 4, 2000)]
[Page 1981]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus

August 30, 2000

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

    In accordance with section 13(b) of the International Security 
Assistance Act of 1978, 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-July 31, 2000. The previous 
submission covered events during April and May 2000.
    The United Nations resumed its efforts to bring about comprehensive 
negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities 
in Geneva on July 5. These proximity talks, which began in December 1999 
in New York, are continuing. However, as my colleagues at the G-8 Summit 
in Okinawa and I agreed, the two parties need to intensify negotiations 
in order to bring about a just and lasting settlement. The United States 
remains committed to the United Nations process and efforts to bring 
about a solution based upon a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
    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 letter was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on August 31.