Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., November 04, 2008 Cheshvan 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:53 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate U.S. election Travel Week's End Anglo File

AG Mazuz: Syria talks can go on even as elections approach By Barak Ravid Attorney General Menachem Mazuz ruled yesterday that there were no legal obstacles preventing Israel from proceeding with negotiations with Syria even as the government approaches the end of its term. Mazuz emphasized that every significant diplomatic agreement made on the matter must still be brought before the cabinet and the Knesset for ratification. Advertisement Responding to a query on the matter from MK Limor Livnat (Likud), Mazuz said that according to a 2001 Supreme Court ruling, a transition government faces no official legal restriction to its authority. Nevertheless, Mazuz warned that lawmakers must act with a degree of restraint appropriate to an outgoing government. Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed willingness to negotiate the Golan Heights borders in exchange for direct talks with Syria, a diplomatic source in Jerusalem said late Saturday night. According to the source, Syria has demanded an Israeli commitment to the "Rabin deposit," former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin's reported pledge to U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher in 1995. The pledge states that Israel commits to a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which it captured during the 1967 Six-Day War, in exchange for firm security guarantees from Damascus. Olmert rejected the demand, deferring a discussion on the topic until after a fifth round of indirect peace talks. Talks between Israel and Syria collapsed in 2000 after Damascus declined an Israeli offer to withdraw from the territory, saying the Israeli offer did not encompass the full territory. Olmert recently renewed contact via indirect talks with Syria, mediated by Turkey. On Friday, reports surfaced indicating that Olmert has vowed to set a date for a fifth round of indirect talks. Talks have been frozen for the past few months due to political turmoil 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. One option that was raised in place of the Rabin deposit, the source said, is an Israeli vow to negotiate the borders of the Golan, which in turn has garnered a more obscure promise from the Syrians which does not include severing ties with terror organizations. Last week, Syrian President Bashar Assad relayed a message to Israel, indicating that he was willing to renew indirect talks under Turkish mediation. 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. "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." Bookmark to del.icio.us   4th quarter jitters Democrats have grown so used to losing, they feel any good news must have a catch. Designing an icon Ten years ago, two students asked Israeli Ruth Kedar to design their new company's logo.

Read & React Settlers preparing for war, says Shin Bet chief Responses: 247 Arab student chair apprehended for refusing to shake Peres' hand Responses: 183 Sarah Silverman was wrong: Older Jews more likely to vote Obama Responses: 53 Meir Porush: In 15 years, Israel won't have any secular mayors Responses: 45 Akiva Eldar: Evacuate Hebron settlement before it's too late Responses: 71 More Headlines 00:17 Obama eyes Republican states to lock up win 02:25 ANALYSIS / Is Obama a danger to Israel after all? 22:29 Despite boycott, EU legislators invite Hamas lawmakers to Brussels 00:36 Livni: Israeli voters will decide whether peace talks go on 02:26 Britain to EU: Clamp down on imports from settlements 23:42 Syria asks foreign staff of U.S. institutions to leave country 02:49 You betcha, Sarah Palin hits a nerve among Jewish women 15:38 No prayerbook on hand? Turn on your 'JewBerry' 00:58 Fourth quarter jitters reveal the pain and dejection of being a Democrat 23:44 On visit, ex-U.S. envoy Martin Indyk makes case for Obama to Israeli public 13:20 Report: Alleged Lebanon spy was tracking Hezbollah for Israel 00:21 Shooting motivated by jealousy leaves one person hurt in Haifa mall 20:50 Gaydamak fights for Israeli Arab East Jerusalem residents' rights 19:15 Egypt lawyer sues Lieberman for telling Mubarak to 'go to hell' 15:03 Israeli company creates drinking water out of thin air 20:04 U.S. Army soldier discharged over beating of Jewish trainee Previous Editions Select Day 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 27 oct 26 oct 24 oct 23 oct 22 oct 21 oct

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