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USIA - Text: Clinton Letter to Congress on Cyprus Situation, 97-07-08
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>
TEXT: CLINTON JULY 8 LETTER TO CONGRESS ON CYPRUS SITUATION
(Progress report for April 1-May 31, 1997) (430)
Washington -- President Clinton sent to Congress July 8 a periodic progress
report on efforts toward a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question,
covering the period April 1-May 31, 1997.
"During this reporting period, I was particularly pleased by the decisions
taken by the Governments of Cyprus and Turkey to observe moratoriums on
flights over Cyprus," he said in a letter to Congress.
"I was also encouraged by the effective action taken against extremists on
both sides of the island when they attempted to disrupt a concert in May.
The event proceeded without incident."
Following is the text of Clinton's letter.
(Begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
July 9, 1997
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
July 8, 1997
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. The previous submission covered progress through March 31, 1997,
The current submission covers the period April 1, 1997, through May 31,
1997.
During this reporting period, I was particularly pleased by the decisions
taken by the Governments of Cyprus and Turkey to observe moratoriums on
flights over Cyprus. In April, the Government of Cyprus announced that it
would not invite Greek aircraft to overfly Cyprus during a joint military
exercise in May. It also indicated no other overflights are planned at this
time, Turkey, later, decided to refrain from overflying Cyprus as long as
Greece does not. As I noted in my last letter to you, these actions should
help lessen regional tensions and contribute to a proper climate for
negotiations.
I was also encouraged by the effective action taken against extremists on
both sides of the island when they attempted to disrupt a concert in May.
The event proceeded without incident and the two communities mixed freely
together in a very positive atmosphere.
Finally, although it did not occur during this reporting period, the
appointment June 4 of Richard Holbrooke as my Special Presidential Emissary
for Cyprus reflects our strong and continued commitment to promoting Cyprus
reconciliation efforts. The Special Presidential Emissary will lead our
Cyprus diplomacy and I will inform you of his activities in upcoming
reports.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
(End text)
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