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Last update - 22:48 28/05/2008 Syria: Olmert's political weakness may affect recently renewed peace talks By Reuters and DPA Tags: Ehud Olmert, Israel  The recently revived peace talks between Syria and Israel may be hindered by the weakness of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, beleaguered by a political crisis, Syrian analysts said Wednesday. The Syrian comment came shortly after Defense Minister Ehud Barak urged Olmert to step down or face early elections in light of the corruption investigation currently underway against him. Syria and Israel announced last week they were engaged in indirect talks under Turkish auspices over the future of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Advertisement "Syria fears that Israel's weak government may become an obstacle to a peace that Syria wants to achieve," Mahdi Dahlallah, a former minister of information, told the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur. In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan, which is not only rich in water resources and fertile land but is also of great strategic importance. There have been reports that Syria may agree in a final peace settlement to leasing the Golan to Israel for 25 years. But those reports have been categorically denied in Damascus, which insists, at least publicly, on the return of every inch of its land. "Syria has no land for lease," the former minister said. "There will not be any talks over anything other than the pre-June 5 border," Dahlallah added. Also Wednesday, Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman said that the Palestinian President believed the political crisis in Israel, which resulted from the corruption probe against Olmert, will hurt peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. "No doubt, what's happening will leave a negative impact on negotiations," spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said in a statement. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey declined to speculate on the possible effect of a change in Israeli leadership on the U.S.-backed peace process. "I'll leave it to the Israelis to have their own internal political debate and discussions," Casey said Wednesday. "We are committed to continuing to work with both sides to move the peace process forward and that's what we're going to continue to do." Related articles: Olmert probe stirs resignation calls; Labor: We'll remain in gov't Palestinians: New probe against Olmert means no peace partner Haaretz poll: 70% of Israelis don't trust Olmert in cash probe Bookmark to del.icio.us   Scuba SMS Ultrasonic sound wave technology revolutionizes underwater communication. 'Hip-hop violinist' Israeli violinist participates in New York event, celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary.   1.   Dear Mr Abbas 18:02  |  glial 28/05/08   2.   will sanity return to israels politicians 18:06  |  victor hardman 28/05/08   3.   Hello Mahmoud Abbas, PA President for WB 18:56  |  Haham me Bat Yam 28/05/08   4.   Maybe Abbas is looking to start a club? 19:30  |  David 28/05/08   5.   Beautiful: Syria Rehabilitated in 1 Week by Kadima 20:26  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 28/05/08   6.   EXCELLENT TIME TO DERAIL TALKS AND AVOID THE TRAIN CRASH 20:36  |  superjew 28/05/08   7.   When Syria disconnect itself from Iran-Hizballah-Hamas-Islamic 21:58  |  Goli 28/05/08   8.   Nothing Olmert says can be believed! Go to home .. 23:22  |  redmike 28/05/08   9.   Mr. Assad`s politcal weakness 01:43  |  hanoi 29/05/08   10.   Piece of land Talks and Olmert 02:17  |  Zev 29/05/08   11.   Zev, you believe Olmert is honest, OOKK, now 05:04  |  Simon 29/05/08   12.   Golan Heights 10:45  |  Dennis L. Nederveen 29/05/08

Read & React U.K. union mulls new move to boycott Israeli academia Responses: 66 Meron Benvenisti: Isolation of Gaza is part of Israel's divide and conquer policy Responses: 4 Rosner's Guest: U.S. strengthening Iran, says dovish pro-Israel lobby Responses: 32 Olmert to Kadima: Give me time to prove my innocence Responses: 24 Haaretz.com TV: East J'lem Arabs detail violence they face by city's Jews Responses: 10 Rosner's Domain The story of Obama and the 'A' word Poll: What political option is better for Israel? Guest: If Iran can't be stopped diplomatically, we should contain it Attack on Iran? Not today (WTR) Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks More Headlines 05:51 Olmert to Kadima: Give me time to prove my innocence 08:30 Sources: Money laundering the key charge in Olmert case 09:10 Report: U.S. urges UN to find secret nuclear facilities in Syria 06:07 Barak draws harsh criticism for calling on Olmert to quit post 00:00 U.K. academic union moves to consider boycott of Israeli academia 02:36 Jeremy Ben-Ami 08:25 Palestinians pin hopes of economic recovery on high-tech companies 09:31 Gaza City: Where the traffic jams smell like falafel 06:46 Israeli Arab seeks to overcome prejudice in advertising world 06:47 State to give Gush Katif evacuees NIS 1.5b more compensation Previous Editions Select Day 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may

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