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Last update - 10:03 15/07/2008 With whom will Syria make peace? By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel The peace between Israel and Syria has in the past few days seemed closer and farther away than at any other time. Each side has passed messages to the other that bear witness to the seriousness of their intentions, the teams have been in contact for several months through Turkish mediation, and in Paris this week, Syrian and Lebanese journalists spoke with Israeli journalists almost without any interference. At the same time, Ehud Olmert was striving for personal contact with Bashar Assad, but to no avail - because the Syrian president considers Olmert a weak prime minister, and he does not sell his gestures on the cheap. The Paris summit convened by the French president this week perhaps did not strengthen the Olmert government, but it definitely allowed the Syrian president to enter Europe by the front door. That is what Assad said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, and it seems that his assessment was not incorrect. The isolated Assad arrived in Paris like a hero, even though he had not changed anything substantive in his diplomatic conduct. The disdainful attitude shown by Israel with regard to Assad's leadership ability, at the inspiration of the Americans, apparently came to an end, along with the conclusion of George W. Bush's term. Advertisement Assad demonstrated control of the situation, and with perfect timing brought about the establishment of a unity government in Lebanon a few days before he was invited to attend the Bastille Day military parade. In the eyes of the Europeans, he is perceived today as a leader who can mediate between them and Iran, who can make decisions and put them into effect. The aim is to get him to lead Syria in a direction that fits both his own interests and those of the West. Syria's serious attitude toward peace talks with Israel found expression in Paris this week in Assad's public declarations of peace, in the indirect talks that are continuing through Turkey, and in the fact that the Israeli attack on nuclear facilities in Syria and the assassination of Imad Mughniyah did not make Assad change direction. Syria has apparently decided that it is in its interest to join the West, and peace talks with Israel are one of many means of doing so. More than at any other time in the past, it seems the ball is in Israel's court - but this court is covered in thick political mud. In actual fact, there is no government right now in Israel. The government in Jerusalem is a transition government with which it is possible to hold talks, but difficult to reach arrangements. The talks with Syria through the offices of the Turks are being conducted by the prime minister's bureau. Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turgeman are Olmert's personal confidants, who will be replaced in two months by the personal aides of the next prime minister. This unfortunate fact is also known to the Syrian president. All one can demand now is that all those who aspire to be elected prime minister of Israel - whether in Kadima, the Labor Party or Likud - should reveal publicly what their current position is on the continuation of talks with Syria. It is worthwhile reminding them that it is forbidden to miss chances for peace, and that the price for peace with Syria is clear. The price for not having peace with Syria became clear in the Second Lebanon War, and it is likely to become clear in the third and fourth war in the region. An improvement in relations with any of the Arab countries contributes to Israel's security more than any reservoir of weapons that Israel has at its disposal. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Calling it quits Beleaguered prime minister announces he will not run in Kadima party primaries. Obama's hunch Report: Obama 'gets the feeling' Israel to strike Iran if sanctions fail.   1.   Better understanding needed as to what Israelis want 10:27  |  Sam 15/07/08   2.   Israel is finally ready to pay the price of peace? 10:32  |  Natallie Durson 15/07/08   3.   Yes! Assad the real hero of our times 10:37  |  Zuleida 15/07/08   4.   HOW LONG WOULD AN ARAB HAARETZ LAST IN SYRIA? 10:39  |  Freethinker 15/07/08   5.   #2, no we are not done here 11:07  |  David G 15/07/08   6.   freethinker 11:42  |  A.M. 15/07/08   7.   Sure, let`s delude ourselves some more 11:58  |  Ilan 15/07/08   8.   Try making peace Israel.The more you do it the easier it gets 11:59  |  Labhras 15/07/08   9.   While talking peace, preparations for war underway 12:55  |  AliciaYasmeen 15/07/08   10.   A question of peace. A question of the cost. 12:59  |  Stephen. 15/07/08   11.   #10 Stephen: "the cost for Assad"? 14:00  |  AliciaYasmeen 15/07/08   12.   David G 14:23  |  Natallie Durson 15/07/08   13.   #.11. Alicia Yasmeen. As usual you are preaching. 14:38  |  Stephen. 15/07/08   14.   We`ve HAD decades of peace with Syria. Why ruin it ... 15:28  |  Chaim 15/07/08   15.   Olmert understands things very sloooowly 15:45  |  Tosefta 15/07/08   16.   No more beating around the Bush 16:01  |  Tosefta 15/07/08   17.   Syria: what are the assumed benefits of peace ? 16:03  |  Jon 15/07/08   18.   EU and Syria: Murder and terror pay off 17:00  |  Jonathan S 15/07/08   19.   Fake Peace!!! Fake Peace!!! YOU LEFT WING MORONS 17:55  |  dor 15/07/08   20.   Syria is not at Peace with anyone, not only Israel 18:00  |  Genuine Tosefta 15/07/08   21.   Another ( Predictably ) Silly, Pro-Appeasement Editorial 18:13  |  Tod Zuckerman 15/07/08   22.   Best way for israel to destroy Assad is to embrace him 18:49  |  Voice of Reason 15/07/08   23.   Yes, Hezbola bases on the Kinneret, Please 18:53  |  Haaretz Chief Editor 15/07/08   24.   We get it, Haaretz: you love Syria and Assad, and hate Israel 22:48  |  McQueen 15/07/08   25.   Will Syria make peace? 00:27  |  Sens 16/07/08   26.   Natallie Durson # 2 No we are not done here. 00:31  |  American in NY 16/07/08   27.   The return of Kuntar may ralley Hizbulah Syria RIGHT ??? 02:49  |  M. S. 26/07/08   28.   Reality Check 22:35  |  giles k 28/07/08   29.   SYRIA HAS ALREADY MADE ITS CHOICE;PAST TENSE;ASSAD IS USING MERT 16:28  |  glenna 29/07/08   30.   Haaretz loves Syria etc. 14:10  |  Ben-Tsiyon 31/07/08

Read & React Olmert: I'll quit once new Kadima leader chosen Responses: 103 ANALYSIS / Crushed and battered, Olmert finally broke Responses: 37 Gideon Levy: Top IDF officer should be tried for mass killing, not petty ATV incident Responses: 28 Hamas' Christian convert: I've left a society that sanctifies terror Responses: 78 Editorial: Holocaust survivors should march on Yad Vashem Send response More Headlines 14:05 Official: Olmert to seek Palestinian peace deal before leaving office 13:01 Kadima officials fear new leader won't be able to assemble gov't 12:20 ANALYSIS / Ehud Olmert failed in war and failed in peace 02:54 Police: Olmert quitting because he knows we have him 14:25 Despite sanctions, German firm closes 100m euro gas deal with Iran 13:36 Gaydamak's trial on gun-running charges to proceed as planned 12:59 Hamas' Christian convert: I've left a society that sanctifies terror 14:25 Marijuana-fest Weeds had great Jewish characters, until now 11:53 British Jewish watchdog: Anti-Semitic incidents in U.K. up 9% in 2008 13:34 Palestinian athletes overcome hurdles on their way to Olympics 09:20 More and more yeshiva students choose Torah over IDF 08:35 Hamas releases abducted German TV cameraman 09:31 Cop wounded while arresting reputed mobsters near Ashkelon 01:01 Report: Obama 'gets the feeling' Israel to strike Iran if sanctions fail 04:00 Israeli defender Tal Ben-Haim signs with Manchester City FC Previous Editions Select Day 30 jul 29 jul 28 jul 27 jul 25 jul 24 jul 23 jul 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul

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