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Last update - 20:47 24/12/2008 Paving the way By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel News, Ehud Olmert  Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's efforts to advance peace talks with Syria are praiseworthy - even if they are unlikely to lead to a diplomatic agreement within the current government's few remaining weeks in office. Olmert has managed to revive the Syrian track after eight years of stagnation, and will leave his successors an active negotiating framework, via Turkish mediation. His achievement is particularly remarkable given Israel's two military confrontations in the north during his term: the Second Lebanon War, fought against Syria's ally Hezbollah, and Israel's bombing of a Syrian reactor in the summer of 2007. In both cases, Israel enjoyed international support and Syria, seeking to extricate itself from its international isolation, was forced to swallow its pride after the destruction of its reactor and renew diplomatic contacts. Olmert also risked a disagreement with the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, who opposes talks with the Syrians. The prime minister believes Israel has a paramount interest in weakening the military alliance between Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, which threatens the country. He believes, along with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, the chief of staff and the head of Military Intelligence, that the key to undermining the hostile coalition lies in an agreement with the secular regime in Damascus that will bring it closer to the West and push it away from its "marriage of convenience" with Tehran's Islamic rulers. Advertisement In his speech last week and in Ankara on Monday, Olmert detailed the advantages of an agreement with Syria - namely, decreasing the threat of war in the north, undermining the relationship between Syria and Iran, and ending Syrian support for Hezbollah and Hamas. Olmert also supports renewing contacts between Syrian President Bashar Assad and key European nations, which he sees as a worthwhile "down payment" to show Syria the advantages inherent in the diplomatic process. Assad replied to Olmert this week in a peace speech of his own, in which he discussed renewing direct talks. Beyond building confidence, the leaders' declarations also contribute to calm in the north. The leading candidates for prime minister, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and opposition leader Likud MK Benjamin Netanyahu, have been expressing reservations about the Syrian track: Netanyahu through his declaration that he will not leave the Golan Heights, despite considering a withdrawal in the past; and Livni by stating she has not been involved in Olmert's contacts. In the best-case scenario, their approach testifies to short-sightedness aimed at pleasing right-wing voters, and in the worst case, actual opposition to an agreement that would serve Israel's strategic interests. The next government will have to follow in Olmert's footsteps and continue examining the Syrian track seriously and courageously. In recent months, Olmert has made it clear that he will try to advance the diplomatic process until his last day in office. Thus he has tried to preempt claims that as a resigning prime minister, he cannot legitimately conduct peace talks and must not "tie the hands of the next government" through understandings with the Palestinians or the Syrians. Olmert is acting within his authority, and on the assumption that he will not obtain an agreement, his moves do not obligate his successors, but they will make it easier for them to enter the diplomatic process. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Knesset express Rightist party offers Jonathan Pollard top spot on Knesset list. Mahmoud's Gospel Ahmadinejad: If Jesus were alive, he would stand in opposition to U.S.   1.   Paving the Way ? Yes, For Accelerated Appeasement ! 21:36  |  Tod Zuckerman 24/12/08   2.   ALLMART DECIDED TO CAUSE IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO JEWISH STATE))))) 22:20  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 24/12/08   3.   peace 03:28  |  joe 25/12/08   4.   Great idea!!! 08:24  |  Ofer 25/12/08

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