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Last update - 15:03 21/05/2008 Syria-Israel peace deal 'requires shift in U.S. policy' By News Agencies Tags: Iran, Syria  Analysts, including former senior Israeli officials, believe there is little prospect of a peace between Israel and Syria without a shift in U.S. policy toward Damascus, possibly once President George W. Bush steps down in January. One view is that, aside from territory, Israel has little to offer Syria and that Damascus would move its allegiances away from Tehran only on the prospect of being embraced economically and diplomatically by the United States and its allies. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said earlier this month that Washington would support Turkish-brokered talks between Israel and Syria. Advertisement But she repeated U.S. demands that Damascus should change its policies on Lebanon, where Syria's allies have been at odds with other factions backed by the United States. Paul Salem, an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment in Beirut, said: "The Americans are not obstructing it, but they are taking a wait-and-see approach. "If Syria and Israel make progress, this could be presented to the next U.S. administration some time in 2009, when such an agreement could become part of a wider agreement that might involve other regional issues like Lebanon, Syria and Iran." "At that stage it would require the United States to be more engaged. For now they [Syrians, Israelis] want to focus on the technical issues, bilateral issues, on the Golan." The U.S. government had asked Turkey to increase efforts to advance negotiations between Israel and Syria, according to a report published by the London Arabic daily Al-Hayat on Saturday. According to the report, the U.S. request comes in light of the recent political crisis in Lebanon, and U.S. assessments that peace between Israel and Syria will help distance the country from Hezbollah. The report quoted a source as saying that Washington has hinted to Israel more than once the importance of progress in talks with Syria. The source added that the U.S. said they are ready to participate in talks between the countries if Turkey is able to achieve a breakthrough between them. Last week, Olmert said 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. 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 Olmert's refusal to deny or backtrack from the claims when word reached the news media in Israel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   al Hayat is full of it (as usual) 16:13  |  Rowan 21/05/08   2.   Bush does not live in the ME. We do and need peace! 16:18  |  Israeli Arab 21/05/08   3.   US policy is total disaster anyway! 16:19  |  Jim 21/05/08   4.   USA Does Not Want End of Conflict 17:27  |  MiddleStanian 21/05/08   5.   Israel-Syria talks 17:34  |  Tom Hartman 21/05/08   6.   Can we trust Syrian`s Government? 20:54  |  Outsider 21/05/08

Read & React Al Gore: Israel should lead the way in renewable energy Responses: 125 Olmert to U.S.: Impose naval blockade on Iran Responses: 260 Israel, Syria to begin indirect peace talks Responses: 234 Shein and Berkowitz: The demise of the European left Responses: 141 Rosner's Domain 8 short comments on the Israel-Syria peace talks 5 questions: Does Israel need rescue? Goldberg vs. Boot. I'm going to stay neutral! Rosner's Guests: Israel not likely to invade Gaza soon Can Obama win over Jewish voters? (WTR) More Headlines 02:23 PM to Haaretz: Talks with Syria are 'historic breakthrough' 02:21 ANALYSIS: What will come first, peace treaty or indictment? 23:54 Ex-Olmert aide recorded money transfers between PM, Messer 21:36 8 short comments on the Israel-Syria peace talks 20:37 Golan regional head: Olmert endangering Israel's existence 00:49 Man U defeats Chelsea FC in Champions League final 21:02 French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous 01:37 Ankara hopes for a direct Israel-Syria meeting next month 22:18 Lebanese relieved as standoff ends; Hezbollah supporters celebrate 21:41 Ex-chief rabbi Eliyahu's condition deteriorates further after stroke 18:31 Microsoft CEO, in Herzliya: Our company almost as Israeli as American 19:31 Hamas: Israel-Syria talks won't affect our 'strategic' ties with Damascus Previous Editions Select Day 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may

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