THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
November 7, 1997
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
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 May
31, 1997. The current submission covers the period June 1, 1997,
through July 31, 1997.
The reporting period was marked by two important developments. The
first was my appointment on June 4 of Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke
as the new Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus. This appointment
of one of our most capable negotiators demonstrates our commitment to
help promote a final political settlement for Cyprus.
The second key development was U.N. Secretary General Annan's June 9
invitation to the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President
Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, to engage
in direct talks under U.N. auspices. These were the first face-to-face
meetings of the two leaders since October 1994. Two rounds of direct
talks were held, the first from July 9 to July 13 in Troutbeck, New
York (which is treated in this report), and the second from August 11
to August 15 in Switzerland (which will be covered in the next
report). United Nations Special Advisor for Cyprus Cordovez noted that
the cordial atmosphere between the parties at Troutbeck was a good
beginning for subsequent negotiating sessions. A U.S. diplomatic
effort for the U.N. settlement process was led by Ambassador
Holbrooke, who met with Messrs. Clerides and Denktash before and after
the talks.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
(End text)
