Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., July 14, 2008 Tamuz 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 19:54 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (left) and Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday taking questions during a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP) Last update - 23:09 13/07/2008 Assad, in Paris: Middle East peace is unavoidable By News Agencies Tags: Israel, Ehud Olmert  Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday said Middle East peace is unavoidable but that he doesn't believe it will be achieved until a new U.S. administration is elected. Speaking in an interview with France 2 television, Assad said: "We have no other choice than peace." But he also added that he doubts it will be realizable in coming months. Assad repeated his charge that the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has no vision for peace and lacks the will to push forward the process. Advertisement The Syrian president stated that he has much more hope that peace in the region will be achievable after the United States elects a new government in November. Assad gave the interview after the Union for the Mediterranean summit in Paris. He also reiterated earlier remarks that it could take from six months to two years to reach a peace agreement with Israel if the parties are serious about direct talks. "Signing a peace accord with Israel ... it's a question that requires six months to two years maximum if both parties are serious in engaging direct talks," Assad told France 2 television. Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert conveyed a message to Assad through Turkey's prime minister that Israel is serious in seeking peace with Damascus, Israeli officials said. The officials stated that Olmert asked Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to pass on the message when Erdogan met Assad shortly afterwards on the sidelines of the Paris summit. "We said that we believe that we are indeed serious and it's important to move ahead now," Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev said. During a press conference earlier in the day, Olmert also said he would like to see direct engagement with the Syrians but that this would not be at the cost of the Palestinian track, "which is of utmost importance to us." Syria and Israel announced in May that they have been holding lower-level indirect talks through Turkish mediation. However, a Syrian government source denied that any such message had been delivered to Assad. A Turkish official said both leaders had reaffirmed to Erdogan their desire to continue negotiations, but he did not want to go into detail on any messages. Meanwhile, Israeli government officials said Assad was not present for Olmert's speech at the Paris summit. Two Israeli officials stated that the Syrian president was not at the enormous table when Olmert delivered his address to leaders of some 40 nations. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Syrian officials were not available for comment. French presidential aide Henri Guaino said he did not notice whether Assad was there amid the comings and goings of the many summit delegates on Sunday. Related articles: PM aide: Israel has no intention of giving Hebzollah Shaba The Mediterranean summit / Sarkozy in the role of Bush Sarkozy asks Syria to help resolve Iran nuclear crisis Bookmark to del.icio.us   History undersea Israeli lifeguard stumbles upon ancient relic during morning swim. Elections, Hebrew style U.S. presidential hopefuls use Hebrew to woo the Jewish community.   1.   I believe peace will advance with next Syrian prez - in 50 years! 23:17  |  McQueen 13/07/08   2.   IN ONE BREATH HE SAYS ISRAEL WILL PAY A DIRECT PRICE FROM IRAN;IN 16:48  |  glenna 14/07/08

Read & React Obama: I used 'poor phrasing' in undivided Jerusalem remark Responses: 138 Syria sources to Haaretz: We'll grant no goodwill gestures to weak Olmert Responses: 40 Syria's Assad: Israel will pay a direct price for attacking Iran Responses: 41 Was building city of Modi'in a mistake? Responses: 30 Rosner's Domain So, was Obama flip flopping on Iraq? (WTR) Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? U.S. pressures Israel: No bombing of Iran (WTR) On Iraq, Obama draws to the ground of reality More Headlines 17:42 Barak: UN resolution on Lebanon war is a failure 19:13 Labor votes 'no confidence' in government after political row 18:20 Hamas spokesman says Tony Blair to visit Gaza this week 18:09 IN PICTURES / How Olmert and Assad dodged unwanted Paris handshake 19:44 Noam Shalit: Don't free Palestinians while my son still held in Gaza 14:08 Iran decries contacts between Syria and 'illegitimate' Israel 13:47 Syria's Assad: Israel will pay a direct price for attacking Iran 17:43 New film tells tale of Palestinian killed in error by IDF who went on to save Israeli lives 19:28 VIDEO: American women pack up their lives, move to Israel for love 17:18 Knesset panel okays bill to revoke terrorists' citizenship 14:34 Ahead of Mideast trip, Obama backtracks on 'undivided' Jerusalem 11:40 ANALYSIS / At Paris summit, Assad has all the answers to Mideast conflict 16:34 Flying abroad this summer? You may have to pay for airplane food 14:45 Mark Twain and Ariel Sharon shared the same roof in Jerusalem Previous Editions Select Day 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun

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