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Israel: Assad willing to renew indirect talks By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel News, peace process  Syrian President Bashar Assad transmitted a message to Israel that he wants to renew indirect talks through Turkey, a government source in Jerusalem said. Friday it was reported that Olmert intends to set a date for a fifth round of indeirect talks with Syria, mediated by Turkey. Talks have been frozen for the past few months due to the political situation in Israel, but in light of the fact that an alternative government was not established and early elections are planned, Olmert has decided to renew the talks in his few remaining months in office. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to resume indirect negotiations with Syria is acceptable if he confines the talks to "maintenance," but not if he aspires to make actual decisions, Foreign Minister and Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni said on Friday. Advertisement "We need to examine whether we are talking solely about routine maintenance of the negotiations, in which case there is no problem," she said. "However, if we are talking about an attempt to determine facts on the ground before the election, that is inappropriate and unacceptable." In contrast to Livni - who, as Kadima's prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming election, might be held responsible by the voters for anything that Olmert, a fellow Kadima member, does - Labor Party chairman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that while he considered the chances of any breakthrough to be low at a time when both Israel and America have lame-duck governments, it made sense to continue the talks, "as long as this is done in a thought-out, responsible, precise and controlled manner." "Syria could be a peace partner, and there is a chance that this would also lead to an agreement with the Lebanese," he explained. "And we, as responsible leaders, must not miss this opportunity." Industry Minister Eli Yishai, whose Shas Party is the third member of Olmert's coalition, took the hardest line against the proposed resumption of negotiations. "Talks with Syria grant legitimacy to the axis of evil," he said. "This is a move that weakens our country's endurance." Related articles: Livni: Syria must cut Iran, terror ties before we give it what it wants Turkey: Syria-Israel talks to continue with Livni in charge Official: Latest Israel-Syria talks end in 'positive atmosphere' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Young Republicans Poll: Young U.S. Jews are more likely than their elders to vote GOP. Designing an icon Ten years ago at Stanford, two students asked Israeli Ruth Kedar to design a logo for their new company.   1.   Duh?? Assad Has No choice if He Wishes to Remain King, EvenThen 03:17  |  dp 02/11/08   2.   Talk, yes. 04:49  |  MichaelF 02/11/08   3.   syria doesn`t want peace 05:01  |  Mark 02/11/08   4.   OLMERT`S RUSH TO SURRENDER 05:47  |  Barry S. Roffman 02/11/08   5.   another member of the magic circle 05:55  |  victor hardman 02/11/08   6.   Hahahahah! The chutzpah is breathtaking! 06:59  |  Johnboy 02/11/08   7.   Mr. Olmret, Explore all avenue for global peace 07:13  |  Simon Mohammed 02/11/08   8.   Giving Legitimacy to the `Axis of Evil`` ..... 08:32  |  Dolly 02/11/08   9.   Appease...Surrender...Disengagement..... 08:40  |  Natasha 02/11/08   10.   To Simon Mohammad # 7 - For Global Peace 08:46  |  The Threadmill 02/11/08   11.   Bowing to the inevitable 08:57  |  Natallie Durson 02/11/08   12.   Credit to Assad...... 10:35  |  Dagma 02/11/08

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