Syria: U.S. is blocking renewal of peace talks - Haaretz

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Fri., November 30, 2007 Kislev 20, 5768

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		Syrian Vice President Farouk Shara. (Archives)

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Last update - 07:30 22/06/2007

Syria: U.S. is blocking renewal of peace talks

By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent

Syrian Vice President Farouk Shara downplayed prospects of peace with Israel on Thursday, saying crucial American support was lacking.

In the first official Syrian comments on the matter, Shara said in Damascus: "We are not optimistic. The American president does not want peace between Israel and Syria."

Syria has demanded that the United States resume its sponsorship of the peace process between the two countries and that a Washington envoy participate in official contacts. The Syrians would like to relieve their international isolation. On the other hand, they have emphasized that they do not view the U.S. as a "mediator with Israel."

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But the U.S. has shown no signs of changing its approach to Syria or seeking to ease the country's isolation. U.S. President George Bush said in a meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week that he is not interested in mediating between Damascus and Jerusalem and that Israel can conduct talks with Syria itself.

Shara said Syria takes Israeli preparations for war between the two nations very seriously. He said Syria prefers peace, but is not interested in clandestine talks. Shara said Israel, like the U.S., is not interested in working toward peace. "Ehud Olmert is not serious about peace," he said. "Israel will make peace with us if we compromise on the return of all our occupied land. We won't do that."

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said earlier Thursday, however, that Syria is "more than ready" to renew peace talks with Israel.

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1.	Dumbya Bush misses his last chance at an achievement	03:36	\|	Tosefta	22/06/07

2.	#1 long post with absolutely no evidence	04:44	\|	McQueen	22/06/07

3.	We heard this before	04:59	\|	Sam	22/06/07

4.	LONG LIVE PRESIDENT BUSH THAT DOESN`T SURRENDER TO SYRIA!))))))	05:04	\|	VOICE of MOSHIACH)))	22/06/07

5.	Dumbya Tosefta is a Syrian stooge	05:08	\|	Bush	22/06/07

6.	Land For Peace	05:17	\|	Rick L	22/06/07

7.	Peace for Israel	05:55	\|	Frank	22/06/07

8.	SYRIA BLAMING EVERYONE	06:12	\|	Cipora Julianna Kohn	22/06/07

9.	Only One Smart Post In This String	06:23	\|	Bernie	22/06/07

10.	Golan for peace?	06:48	\|	Edifice	22/06/07

11.	tosefta	06:55	\|	michael	22/06/07

12.	Bush: A common man, over his head, surrounded by fools	07:16	\|	Natallie Durson	22/06/07

13.	#1: So is it Tosefta the Dreamer now?	09:08	\|	Thomas Jackson	22/06/07

14.	Syria ready for peace	10:59	\|	George mahfood	22/06/07

15.	#11 Michael, you pose some interesting questions	13:08	\|	Johnboy	22/06/07

16.	After Iran`s Military Destroyed, There Will Be Peace w/ Syria.	19:08	\|	Zoroaster	22/06/07

17.	Land For Peace	05:10	\|	Thomas Buckingham	23/06/07

18.	Here`s How It`ll Happen	07:14	\|	Max Leygrume	30/11/07

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