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Last update - 08:13 25/05/2008
Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent , and AP
Tags: defense, Syria, Iran, arms

Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani began an official visit to Iran Saturday and is expected to hold talks there with Iran's leadership on military agreements between the two countries.

"This visit is taking place at the invitation of Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar," the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The visit is aimed at following up on joint defense agreements, ways to boost defense ties and (talks) on the latest regional and international developments," a ministry source was quoted as saying.
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Sources close to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday said that he was unable to conceal his disappointment and surprise at the news of renewed peace talks.

In an interview with the London-based newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat, the sources said that Ahmadinejad characterized the reports as a violation by Damascus of the two countries' mutual responsibilities toward one another.

The sources added that the Iranian leader also received detailed information about the secret negotiations weeks before the Syrian foreign minister's recent visit to Tehran.

According to the newspaper, Iran's Supreme National Security Council is preparing a response to a letter from Syria that mentioned its contact with Israel.

An Iranian editor also revealed to al-Sharq al-Awsat that the council instructed Iranian communications outlets and official Web sites not to refer at all to the Israel-Syria talks until further notice.

Iran denied Saturday that it is opposed to the indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at a press conference in Tehran, held with visiting Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal, that Tehran "supports Damascus in seeking to restore the Golan."

"The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is too weak to take the necessary steps for peace with Syria," said Meshal Saturday.

Mottaki did not comment directly on the announcement Wednesday that Israel and Syria had entered indirect negotiations, but Meshal said "there is great skepticism concerning [Israel's] seriousness about returning the Golan Heights."

"It's maneuvering and playing with all the (negotiating) tracks ¬ it's a well-known game and, besides, Olmert's weakness will not allow him to take this step," the Hamas leader said.

Meshal, who is based in Damascus, was careful not to criticize Syria's decision to enter negotiations with Israel and said he was sure the renewed talks would not come at the expense of the Palestinian track.

He once again condemned of the blockade of Gaza, and again threatened to forcibly reopen the Rafah crossing to Egypt.

"If the international community and the concerned parties don't take the initiative and break the siege, we will break it ourselves. We insist on opening all crossings, particularly Rafah," Meshal said.

Last week, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni declared that Israel expects Syria to cut ties with Iran and the militant groups as part of a peace accord.

Syria rejected this demand, according to a government-affiliated newspaper.

Saturday's editorial in Tishrin, which reflects official policy, said Israel could not lay down conditions ahead of negotiations.

"Damascus does not want preconditions, that would put the cart before the horse ... It does not bargain over its relations with other countries and people," the editorial stated.

"It goes without saying that impossible conditions cannot facilitate the work of negotiators," added the editorial, which likened doing so to putting spikes in the wheels of the peace process.

Friday, the London-based daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was "dumbfounded" when he learned several weeks ago of the progress in talks between Syria and Israel.

The same daily reported that Ahmadinejad considered the Syrian participation in the negotiations as "a violation of mutual commitments" with Iran.

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      1.   HERE IS WHAT`S NEEDED TO CURB SYRIA FROM IRAN: 00:49  |  MOE 25/05/08
      2.   Watch the price of crude oil shoot through the roof. 01:50  |  Stephen. 25/05/08
      3.   Lies from Tehran 01:56  |  Conroy 25/05/08
      4.   Does this sound familiar ?? 02:08  |  Avrum 25/05/08
      5.   shock..revelation...talks... 03:05  |  ljf-canada 25/05/08
      6.   outsider 03:25  |  Di, the doubter 25/05/08
      7.   MOE: By your logic 05:42  |  Jalapeno 25/05/08
      8.   Stephen - Wrong 05:49  |  Avocado 25/05/08
      9.   It is time for Iran to Request a MILITARY BASE in SOUTHERN SYRIA 07:05  |  Tayfun_Turkey 25/05/08
      10.   Israel uses bad faith negotiations to divide Syria/Iran 07:30  |  Natallie Durson 25/05/08
      11.   The Golan only belonged to Syria for 44 years 08:14  |  redmike 25/05/08
      12.   The demand of Assad to receive the Golan is the proof... 08:22  |  Jean Van Daem 25/05/08
      13.   Israel Needs the water from Golan 10:13  |  Adel 25/05/08
      14.   Was Israel having `talks` with Syria... 10:14  |  Maureen Ann 25/05/08
      15.   What if Iran With nukes blocks strait of Hormuz? 10:38  |  Marco 25/05/08
      16.   todays comedy !! syrias intentions ? 11:23  |  victor hardman 25/05/08
      17.   IN THE BEST FASHION 11:29  |  Robert 25/05/08
      18.   meshal`s comment is aimed directly at israel..NOT olmert! 12:25  |  eric 25/05/08
      19.   Israel needs a REAL Jewish government, 12:39  |  Harvey (Chaim) 25/05/08
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      21.   # 8. Avocado. RE. Totaliarian States. 15:24  |  Stephen. 25/05/08
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      23.   ONLY IRAN WITH NUKES THAT CAN PRODUCE PEACE 15:39  |  indrajaya 25/05/08
      24.   the Iranians are happy that Olmert is surrendering to Syria 17:37  |  Robinson 25/05/08
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      28.   IRAN KHAIRE-KHOUB! 18:15  |  Mohamed MALLECK 25/05/08
      29.   #27, REALIST, COMMENTS FROM FEAR 02:29  |  VIPER 26/05/08
      30.   # 19 please clarify WHICH you mean, harvey... 07:34  |  eric 26/05/08
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      33.   #26. Jean Paul Doguet. On sham democracy. 11:36  |  Stephen. 26/05/08
      34.   #11 Jean`s loose use of words..... 15:42  |  Johnboy 26/05/08
      35.   iran and syria 03:59  |  phil 07/07/08
      36.   TO NO 15. MARCO. 16:02  |  DANNY. 01/10/08
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