Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., March 02, 2008 Adar1 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:40 (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

Last update - 06:38 29/02/2008 Former diplomat: Assad seeks to restart talks with Israel By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Syria, Assad, Israel, talks Syrian President Bashir Assad would like to restart peace talks with Israel immediately, according to Alon Liel, former Foreign Ministry director-general, who met with Syria's ambassador to the United States, Imad Mustafa, in Washington last week. Liel, who heads a movement advocating peace between Israel and Syria, said he briefed the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem of his talks. F Advertisement or two years, until the summer of 2006, the former Israeli official held talks with a Syrian-American businessman, Abe Suleiman, with ties in the top echelons of the Assad regime. The talks were held under Swiss auspices and with the knowledge of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Liel and Suleiman prepared a document on a possible peace agreement which, among other issues, proposed a demilitarized buffer zone on the Golan Heights that would include a "peace park" for tourists. Liel refused to comment on his visit Thursday, but sources at the Movement for Israel-Syria Peace, said that his visit to the U.S. focused on relations between Washington and Damascus, and included meetings in Congress. Related articles: Washington Post: Several N. Korean scientists hurt in IAF strike in Syria Report: U.S. evidence shows N. Korea gave Syria nuclear aid Syria: There are no N. Korea-Syria nuclear facilities whatsoever Inside Intel / Not a reactor - something far more vicious Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   Assad saw the US warships off the coast of Lebanon 04:58  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/02/08   2.   No Talks unless rockets from Gaza stops. 06:27  |  The Archives 29/02/08   3.   Liel - Whose Paying this Guy ? 08:15  |  Tod Zuckerman 29/02/08   4.   A BIG YAWNNNNN AL-ASSSAD (aka AL-WAHSH),we have heard this many 09:58  |  Genuine Tosefta 29/02/08   5.   Look at these overpaid clerks,it was them behind jerk Rabin`s inv 12:45  |  Absolute Sweden 29/02/08   6.   Peace with Syria ? a cheap joke. 12:55  |  Jean Van Daem 29/02/08   7.   Deception and Distraction 14:03  |  Brod 29/02/08   8.   Balanced approach 14:32  |  Jan Elshout 29/02/08   9.   SYRIA TALSK CHEAP ROCKETS COST $$$ AND LIVES. 15:24  |  petra 29/02/08   10.   No peace with some Israelis 15:50  |  Said 29/02/08   11.   What`s Hezbollah`s Reaction on this?? 16:27  |  Chris 29/02/08   12.   Significance: Israel`s enemies weakening 16:58  |  David Hoffman 29/02/08   13.   Talk to Assad, but. . . . 17:55  |  MichaelF 29/02/08   14.   Distraction Tactic 21:36  |  Brod 29/02/08   15.   Too bad Israel prefers war 21:49  |  peacelover 29/02/08   16.   Pattern 19:32  |  Laura 01/03/08   17.   They have the title of this article wrong it should say 23:08  |  zionist forever 01/03/08

Today Online 2 IDF soldiers, 61 Palestinians die in Gaza clashes Responses: 593 Barak: Hamas will pay for its escalation in the south Responses: 467 Analysis: Uncompromising Hamas is in trouble Responses: 244 Bradley Burston: True Islam will spell defeat for the Jihadists Responses: 126 When McCain and Obama face off, Israel may find itself in the eye of the storm Responses: 127 Rosner's Domain No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 01:42 2 IDF soldiers, 61 Palestinians die in Gaza clashes 00:12 5 hurt in Ashkelon as close to 50 rockets hit southern Israel 00:15 PA suspends peace talks with Israel over Gaza violence 00:48 Family and friends gather to pay respects to fallen IDF soldiers 00:17 Meshal: Gaza is 'real holocaust,' armed resistance only option 00:18 Vice Premier: Reoccupying Gaza will hurt Israel more than help it 00:19 ANALYSIS / Gaza raids met by loud silence from the Arab world 08:38 Ban: Hezbollah hindering talks on prisoner swap 22:40 N.Y. Plaza Hotel, co-owned by Israeli and Saudi groups, reopens doors 20:27 Lebanese TV: Saudi, Kuwait urge nationals to leave Lebanon 07:53 Israeli tennis star Peer upset in semifinals of Memphis tourney Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved