Syria released statements on Monday quoting President Bashar al-Assad that direct talks between his country and Israel are a possibility. Assad telephoned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shortly before he met in Turkey with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, stating that he sees direct talks in the future, but the process will not get underway until new administrations are in place in Israel and the United States.

Despite Olmert’s desire to move ahead with indirect talks involving Turkey as was the case this year, Assad seems uninterested, pointing out that after Olmert stepped down from office, the process was halted. Assad added in his statements to the Turkish leader on Monday that while direct talks are possible, negotiations is not sufficient to bring peace between enemies.

In the recent past, Assad has stated repeatedly that Israel’s total withdrawal from the Golan Heights is a prerequisite to entering into negotiations towards establishing diplomatic relations.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)