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Last update - 18:06 08/05/2008
Olmert said ready to bring about peace agreement with Syria
By Haaretz Service and Reuters
Tags: Golan Heights, Turkey, Israel 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday he was prepared to bring about a peace agreement between Israel and Syria during his term in office, according to a report in the magazine Paris Match.

Olmert told the French weekly that his top priority was reaching peace with Syria and the Palestinians, adding that no other matter was as important or urgent for the future of Israel.

He also said that if Israel and its enemies were to cease fighting and work together to build a common future, the Middle East could be turned into a paradise.
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Earlier Thursday, the pan-Arab London-based daily newspaper Al Hayat reported that Turkish officials are moving to convene a three-way meeting between Israeli and Syrian representatives. The meeting would likely take place in Istabul, as Turkey continues its efforts to jump-start peace negotiations between the two countries.

Ankara would like both sides to commit to a signed declaration as a starting point for talks. According to the report, Turkey decided to postpone the proposed sit-down after the Syrians revealed Jerusalem's stated willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace. The newspaper added that the Syrian leadership was assuaged by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's refusal to deny or backtrack from the claims when word reached the news media in Israel.

Israel Radio also cited a report in the Egyptian daily Al Ahram stating that Israel has received messages from Damascus regarding the continuation of contacts between them in the near future. The newspaper quoted a Syrian official as stating that the probability of direct Israeli-Syrian negotiations taking place while President Bush remains in office remains slim, according to Israel Radio.

The United States would support a Turkish-brokered Syrian-Israeli peace drive but wants to see Damascus change its policy on Lebanon, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in remarks published on Sunday.

"We do not wish to stand in the way of any attempt to achieve peace between Israel and its neighbors including Syria," Rice told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper in remarks translated into Arabic.

"If the two sides wished to exert an effort for peace the United States would give its blessing and back these efforts. The problem is that Syria is yet to show a desire for Middle East peace especially vis-a-vis Lebanon," she added.

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      1.   Could work 14:19  |  Panther Jet 08/05/08
      2.   This meeting has already been called off. Be honest Haaretz 15:07  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/05/08
      3.   syria and israel 15:42  |  Joe 08/05/08
      4.   The Golan should remain Israeli. 16:49  |  Jean Van Daem 08/05/08
      5.   Another idiocy by Israeli Lefties,now getting Turkey into the fry 17:57  |  Absolute Sweden 08/05/08
      6.   He had better act fast 18:12  |  Mark Lincoln 08/05/08
      7.   There will Not Be Peace - Not in this world!! 18:19  |  Alastair Murray 08/05/08
      8.   Never Fear - the Wankers are Here!! 18:22  |  Alastair 08/05/08
      9.   What is this man doing now? Olmert is under Investigation 18:36  |  Dolly 08/05/08
      10.   Olmert again 19:04  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 08/05/08
      11.   This could work..if pigs had wings! 19:06  |  Avi 08/05/08
      12.   First you must handle your own issues Olmert.. 19:11  |  Tim Masters 08/05/08
      13.   Am Yisrael l`chaim 19:39  |  Jim 08/05/08
      14.   The Rabbi is Wrong! 20:01  |  Matthew 08/05/08
      15.   THREAT OF INVESTIGATION = PEACE TALKS!!!!! 20:01  |  Ben 08/05/08
      16.   Omert is on some type of substance 20:02  |  Sam C 08/05/08
      17.   #2 Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 20:04  |  Jim 08/05/08
      18.   by by olmerd 20:20  |  karkoush bou mendouz 08/05/08
      19.   We thought Olmert is ready to get lost 20:49  |  Sal 08/05/08
      20.   Good...Now just Do It! 21:08  |  MB 08/05/08
      21.   beat your swords into bomb shelters 21:17  |  Zoe 08/05/08
      22.   Where`s this gag order on Olmert to be lifted 22:01  |  charlie 08/05/08
      23.   someone stop this man 22:02  |  noah 08/05/08
      24.   Is Olmert ding this to spite Israel? 22:08  |  Naasha 08/05/08
      25.   # 2 GT 22:33  |  Axel 08/05/08
      26.   a SERIOUS QUESTION to the Israeli legislators 23:24  |  AliciaYasmeen 08/05/08
      27.   Wobbling PM... 01:42  |  Esther 09/05/08
      28.   The Israeli Standard Operating Procedure 02:19  |  Johnboy 09/05/08
      29.   MB # 20 19:30  |  Observer 09/05/08
      30.   Olmert, the money bag 02:21  |  Rozz 10/05/08
      31.   NO to fake peace 14:08  |  Brod 10/05/08
      32.   Try electing a PM with integrity 14:46  |  Mikhail 10/05/08
      33.   To Johnboy 23:13  |  Morris Valentine 10/05/08
      34.   this bastard would sell his soul to the devil for ego & power 11:42  |  zionist forever 11/05/08
      35.   HOW MUCH WILL OLDEMERDE`S GOLAN PEACE GIVEAWAY COST ISRAEL??? 18:13  |  jewish doctor 10/08/08
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