While Israel is happily announcing that the indirect talks with Damascus that were mediated by Turkey may be replaced by direct talks between the countries, Syrian news agencies report President Bashar al-Assad is now insisting that prior to entering into talks, Israel must agree to retreat to the northeastern coastline of the Kinneret. In essence, the Syrian leader insists on defined borders before talks even get underway.
The document with the Syrian leader’s demands was given to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a number of weeks ago during a meeting he had in Syria with Assad. The document has since been passed to Israel.
Syrian officials pointed out that the document is not a matter that is up for discussion, but a firm Syrian precondition to entering into talks with Israel, demanding a withdrawal from the entire Golan Heights up to and including the northeastern border of the Kinneret. The document also states that Syria refuses to cut ties with Iran and terror organizations as Israel is demanding, stating if Israel agrees to these conditions, an agreement is possible in 2009.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office responded by stating, “We do not conduct talks via the media”.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated the declaration are not exactly clear, but acknowledged an agreement with Syria would involve major territorial concessions.
Defense Minster Ehud Barak reaffirmed his support of direct negotiations with Syria, reminding the media that he has done so in the past.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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4 Responses
“Nuts!”
..and that is why it is IMPERATIVE that Netanyahu wins. Make no mistake – Netanyahu and the Likud are not tzadikim. They are guilty of givebacks too. The only difference is they at least make a show of not making it easy…and try to get something in return. On the other hand, the “ma yofa niks”, Olmert, Livni and Barak, fall over themselves in attempting to curry favor with “sonei yisroel” by begging “what else can we give you”.
Mottel1 you are so wrong. Netanyahu gave Chevron away and what did he get in return? Sharon gave Gaza away what did he get in return? Neither made it look difficult they just simply gave it away for free.
Sure Assad, they can define the borders for you, straight from the Torah!….From river of Mitzrayim (some say this is the Nile) to great river Euphrates (after Moshiach, all of Syria including Damascus), up to Har HaHor (most of Lebanon including Beirut). Assad that means you’ll either need to behave yourself like a nice ger toshav, or move back to Saudi Arabia where Mohammed the epilectic junkie came from.