View Header

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release August 31, 2000
                  TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
                    TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
                  REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CHAIRMAN OF
               THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

                            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

# # #