Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday 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 guerrillas 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."
Syria hosts headquarters of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Palestinian
militant groups committed to Israel's destruction, and offers
financial and logistical support to Hezbollah, which battled the
Israeli army to a stalemate during a 34-day war last summer.
There was no immediate reaction from Syria to Olmert's latest
comments. The recent Baker-Hamilton report submitted to the White
House recommended that Israel resume talks with Syria to help ease
Mideast tensions. Olmert has rejected the report's conclusions.
Israeli officials have been divided over whether Assad's latest
gestures are sincere. A senior military intelligence official said
yesterday that he believes the Syrian offer is genuine, lawmakers
said.
Brigadier General Yossi Baidatz, head of military intelligence's
research decision, told parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence
Committee that Syria is interested in talks to boost its
international standing, said committee member Yuval Steinitz. But
the officer stopped short of saying Syria is interested in a peace
agreement, committee members said.
(China Daily December 26, 2006)
