Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., May 26, 2008 Iyyar 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:20 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Meshal: Olmert too weak to make peace By Haaretz Correspondent and AP , By Yoav Stern Hamas politburo chief, Khaled Meshal said yesterday in Tehran that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was too weak to make peace. Also in Iran for talks yesterday, Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani began an official visit to Iran yesterday and is expected to discuss military agreements between the two countries with Iran's leadership. Advertisement "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. Iran denied yesterday 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 yesterday. 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. Yesterday'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. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.

Read & React Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein Responses: 435 Sources: 'Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time' Responses: 45 Shmuel Rosner: Pastor Hagee was trying to stop 'second Holocaust' Responses: 107 Iranian-born Israeli charged with passing information to Tehran Responses: 65 More Headlines 20:56 Shin Bet: Hamas rockets could hit far beyond Ashkelon 18:04 Fearing Gaza rockets, IDF moves troops, civilian staff from Erez 19:49 New Lebanese President calls for renewal of ties with Syria 18:30 Iranian-born Israeli charged with passing information to Tehran 21:41 Sarkozy to FM: Hamas talks were mistake that won't happen again 20:28 Iranian defense minister hails 'strategic ties' with Syria 21:59 Netanyahu, on Syria talks: Peace with dictatorial state won't last 20:30 Black-Jewish tensions heat up as Crown Heights teeters on brink of violence 20:10 Police question Talansky, pass on evidence to Olmert's attorneys 20:17 Palestinians reject Israeli offer to keep 8.5 percent of West Bank 16:55 'Shampoo' meets 'Munich': New Adam Sandler film stars Mossad hit man turned hairdresser 18:32 Water Authority mulls drastic cuts due to low reservoir levels 17:53 Report: Avram Grant favorite for manager at Manchester City 20:40 Israeli businessman's London home up for sale for $232 million Previous Editions Select Day 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy 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 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 |

Real Estate in Israel

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