Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., December 30, 2007 Tevet 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 08:04 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

Senator Arlen Specter, right, and Rep. Patrick Kennedy upon their arrival at Damascus airport on Saturday. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 18:51 29/12/2007 Senator sees 'real opportunity' for resuming Syria-Israel talks By The Associated Press Tags: Annapolis, Syria  There is a real opportunity for Syria and Israel to resume peace talks with help from the United States, an influential U.S. lawmaker said Saturday. Senator Arlen Specter spoke in Damascus shortly after arriving for a two-day visit with Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. "I think there is a very important moment in the Middle East and there is a real opportunity if the parties are ready to move," Specter told The Associated Press. "It's up to the parties. It's up to Syria and Israel, but the United States, I think, is in the position to be helpful." Advertisement Specter, a Republican from Pennsylvania, was scheduled to meet Syrian President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Sunday to discuss the stalled Middle East peace process and strained U.S.-Syrian relations. Specter, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, declined to confirm reports that he would convey a message to Assad from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on resuming peace talks between the two countries. "I think that is something I should talk to President Assad about before I talk to the media," he said. Specter, who met Olmert Wednesday, told reporters in Jerusalem that he would encourage Assad to launch peace talks with Israel. He said he is convinced both countries want to restart a dialogue. "Prime Minister Olmert told us that he's interested, that he's looking for a signal from Syria," he said. In 2000, formal U.S.-sponsored Israel-Syria talks neared agreement but broke down over final border and peace arrangements. Specter said Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad had told him on the sidelines of last month's Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, that Syria is interested in the negotiations. Syria attended the U.S.-brokered Mideast conference after receiving assurances that the issue of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria after the 1967 Six Day War would be on the agenda. Relations between Syria and the U.S. appeared to warm briefly following Syria's attendance at the Annapolis conference, which was widely seen as an attempt to gain favor with Washington. But both sides have since lashed out at one another, each accusing the other of meddling in Lebanon, where the Western-backed government is locked in a political standoff with the pro-Syrian opposition. The U.S. disapproves of Syrian meddling in Lebanon, Damascus' support for anti-Israel militant groups and its alliance with Iran. Last week, U.S. President George W. Bush rejected dialogue with the Syrian leader, saying his patience ran out on President Assad a long time ago. Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat, said he looked forward to speaking with Assad about promoting peace and stability with Syria's neighbor, saying he wants to see "free and fair elections in Lebanon ... full sovereignty for Lebanon." The election of a new Lebanese president has been held up by continued political wrangling between the Syrian-backed opposition and the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority bloc. The presidency was left vacant after pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term ended on November 23, with no successor being elected. Related articles: U.S. Congressman: Syria wrong if it thinks Democrat would give it better deal Olmert to Assad: Israel awaits your response on reviving talks Foreign Ministry plans to drop Syria from 'radical axis' list Bookmark to del.icio.us Santa's helpers Foreign workers hope for citizenship for Christmas. He's ba-ack In a new audio tape Bin Laden vows to free Palestine.   1.   Lebanon`s a pain in the neck for everyone 19:07  |  Conroy 29/12/07   2.   With Bush Still in Office? 19:38  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/12/07   3.   Spector - Strange Fellow 20:20  |  Tiod Zuckerman 29/12/07   4.   Lebanon Pain 20:47  |  American Lebanese 29/12/07   5.   too funny 21:40  |  ron 29/12/07   6.   About Senator Specter 21:43  |  Morris Valentine 29/12/07   7.   See what I mean? 21:52  |  Conroy 29/12/07   8.   Re to=3 Spector 22:06  |  American Lebanese 29/12/07   9.   lebanon army sucks 23:16  |  tone 29/12/07   10.   Re Mark of Lewiston 23:18  |  Anthony 29/12/07   11.   Lebanon Isn`t The Problem, It`s A Symptom 01:01  |  dyinglikeflies 30/12/07   12.   General Petraius complimenting Syria 01:06  |  Pablo B 30/12/07   13.   Entire conflict explained in less than 20 lines 01:32  |  G. Marcus 30/12/07   14.   Senator and Assad 07:49  |  Victor 30/12/07

Today Online 2 Israelis killed, one hurt in W. Bank shooting attack Responses: 593 Benn, Rosner: Israel needs a 'Rice bypass road' to White House Responses: 182 PM to Abbas: Israel will not undermine peace efforts Responses: 119 Akiva Eldar: Peace deal must start with prisoner release Responses: 125 IDF kills former PA premier's bodyguard during W. Bank raid Responses: 101 New version of old defense group guards Jewish farmlands Responses: 61 Rosner's Domain Rosner's Mailbox: Why should Ron Paul care about Israel? The blog and the Jews (WTR) An exacerbated tension between Olmert and Rice Poll: The most likely event to happen in 2008 More Headlines 07:27 PM plans to halt E. J'lem tenders, okay Har Homa 04:34 Soldiers killed on hike in West Bank eulogized for courage 07:41 ANALYSIS / Nipping new W. Bank Jewish terror group in the bud 05:55 UNIFIL steps up supervision to deter Hezbollah re-armament 07:47 Tamir asks court to delay ruling on Haredi schools' curriculum 04:31 Bin Laden vows in Web audiotape he will 'expand jihad in Palestine' 07:56 Pinpointed IAF attacks on Gaza more precise, hurt fewer civilians 05:15 Pakistan rejects foreign assistance in Bhutto assassination probe 06:36 Women in Black marks 20th year, but occupation continues 05:29 Gov't: 5,000 people have entered Israel illegally from Sinai in 2007 Previous Editions Select Day 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec

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