The White House

                  Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                        September 27, 1996


               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

                       September 27, 1996


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

In accordance with Public Law 95-384 (22 U.S.C. 2373(c)), I 
submit this report on progress toward a negotiated settlement of 
the Cyprus question.  The previous submission covered progress 
through May 31, 1996.  The current submission covers the period 
June 1, 1996, through July 31, 1996.

I was pleased to welcome President Clerides to the White House 
on June 17.  His visit capped a series of personal consultations 
on Cyprus I have had with regional leaders, beginning with 
Turkish President Demirel this March.  During the reporting 
period, I dispatched U.N. Ambassador Albright and my Cyprus 
emissary, Richard Beattie, to the region to explore opportunities 
for progress toward a comprehensive solution.  Following their 
trip, Ambassador Albright and Mr. Beattie confirmed to me that, 
notwithstanding the many disagreements between the parties, the 
United States should stay actively engaged on Cyprus.  I remain 
committed to doing all we can to support the parties' efforts to 
bring about a settlement.

Based on consultations with the U.N. force commander in Cyprus, 
Ambassador Albright and Mr. Beattie proposed during their trip 
that the military commanders on the island meet to discuss 
implementation of practical measures to reduce tensions along 
the U.N. Buffer Zone.  We hope that the parties will overcome 
their disagreement over whom should participate in the meeting, 
which has prevented it from taking place.  We believe the tragic 
events of August underscore the urgent need to move immediately 
to reduce the potential for violence along the Buffer Zone.

                              Sincerely,

                              William J. Clinton

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