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Olmert wants to talk to Syria
25/12/2006 21:17 - (SA)
Jerusalem - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday said he would like to renew peace talks with Syria, but insisted that Damascus first end its support of anti-Israel militant groups in the Palestinian areas and Lebanon.
Syria has said on several occasions recently that it would like to resume negotiations with Israel, which broke down seven years ago. Olmert has rejected the offers, citing Syria's support for Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and other militant groups.
"I hope we will be able to arrive at dialogue with Syria at some point if Syria upholds the most basic of commitments, the cessation of violence - the same commitment we demand of anyone we talk to," Olmert told a meeting of lawmakers from his Kadima party.
"If Syria agrees to stop the violence, stop its support for Hamas, stop its support for Hezbollah, and sever its appalling connection with Iran, then we'll be able to engage in a diplomatic process," Olmert added. "I have no doubt that this is something we want to happen." Syrian offer 'genuine'
Israeli officials have been divided over whether Assad's latest gestures are sincere. A senior military intelligence official said on Monday that he believed the Syrian offer was genuine, lawmakers said.
Brigadier-General Yossi Baidatz, head of military intelligence's research decision, told parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee that Syria was interested in talks to boost its international standing, said committee member Yuval Steinitz.
But the officer stopped short of saying Syria was interested in a peace agreement, committee members said.
Steinitz said he thought Syria wanted to open negotiations to buy itself time to topple the government in neighbouring Lebanon. Syria controlled its smaller neighbour for 29 years before being forced to withdraw its troops in 2005.
Last week, Meir Dagan, director of the Mossad spy agency, took the opposite view of Baidatz's, saying Syria was not prepared to return to the negotiating table, despite its overtures.
Peace talks between Israel and Syria broke down in January 2000 over Syria's demand for a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Israel captured the plateau, which overlooks northern Israel, in the 1967 Mideast War.
- AP
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