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Syrian President Bashar Assad. (AP) Assad says talks hinge on current Israeli cabinet By Yoav Stern and Yuval Azoulay Tags: Israel, peace talks  Syrian President Bashar Assad said Monday in a series of interviews that resumed peace talks with Israel hinge on the current cabinet remaining in power in Jerusalem. In interviews he gave to newspaper editors in the United Arab Emirates, Assad said: "The success of the talks depend on the Israeli side and is tied to the Israeli government's ability and how stable it is." According to one report, Assad said direct talks will begin only next year, though Syria is not opposed in principle. Advertisement "We explained our vision for peace, and we are waiting for the Israeli response. However, our previous attempt to negotiate with Israel was not encouraging, and what we are doing now is to verify that Israel is ready for peace," he said. Before leaving the U.A.E for Kuwait Tuesday, Assad said the talks "do not need a sponsor right now," meaning he does not see Turkish mediators leading the talks in future. Defense Minister Ehud Barak referred to the indirect talks with Syria while touring the northern border Tuesday. "With the Syrians, feelers are being put out to check whether there is a possibility of opening direct negotiations and discussing in that framework all of the topics about which we will have to make tough decisions and make concessions, but it cuts both ways. These will be tough decisions from Assad's perspective and also ours," Barak said. Referring to Syria's "intimate" cooperation with Hezbollah, including helping to arm it," Barak said "the supreme responsibility in our view falls on Hezbollah, on the one hand, and Syria and Iran, on the other." Related articles: Israel: Report peace talks with Syria set to resume Thursday not true Livni brands Iran 'neighborhood bully' An empty package ANALYSIS / Can Syria break its Iranian bear hug? Assad aide denies reports of progress in Syria-Israel talks Bookmark to del.icio.us   A staunch ally Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes. Pro-Israel Nazis German group condemns anti-Semitism, says Holocaust 'unjustifiable.'   1.   Bashar would like us to have a dictatorship, like his 08:21  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 04/06/08   2.   Thank u SHAS 4 making this POSSIBLE!!!! 08:35  |  Jon 04/06/08   3.   Bashar must be a Simpleton....... 09:18  |  Dagma 04/06/08   4.   LOL @ dorktator 10:15  |  Denise Thompson 04/06/08   5.   megalomania 10:17  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/06/08   6.   This simpleton Assad once told me that the art of politics is to 10:51  |  Maronite 04/06/08   7.   ISRAEL NEEDS TO SAVE ITS ENERGY FOR WAR 10:53  |  indrajaya 04/06/08   8.   Read the label first! 11:23  |  Harvey (Chaim) 04/06/08   9.   For Israel Holding the Golan is more important than peace with... 11:55  |  Jean Van Daem 04/06/08   10.   He should find an optemetrist 12:16  |  Miche Norman 04/06/08   11.   Agree with Miche #10 - good post 13:10  |  DC 04/06/08   12.   Assad is the best friend of an Israeli Golan 13:17  |  Ilan 04/06/08   13.   Assad is stalling while Iran getting Nukes. 13:35  |  The Equalizer 04/06/08   14.   Its all a game 14:07  |  Ronnie Wolman 04/06/08   15.   organized 16:13  |  Jeff 04/06/08   16.   Syria - the country that attempted to extinct the life of Israel 16:13  |  Yuval 04/06/08   17.   I so hate Bashar! but so far hes winning... 17:01  |  sinalco 04/06/08   18.   Assad Olmerts saviour 18:00  |  zionist forever 04/06/08   19.   Bashar has seen Israel is weak & Obama probably becoming presiden 19:38  |  zionist forever 04/06/08

Read & React Olmert to AIPAC: We must stop Iran threat by all possible means Responses: 217 Diplomats: Syria won't let IAEA see 3 alleged nuclear sites Responses: 170 Moshe Arens: A truce in Gaza means victory for the terrorists Responses: 68 Palestinian negotiator: Only miracle can bring peace by year's end Responses: 80 Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes Responses: 166 More Headlines 22:32 Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes 20:06 AIPAC and Obama / Cheering toughness, silent on peace 00:33 Al Qaida No. 2 slams Egypt for sealing border to Palestinians 23:09 Abbas drops demand for Hamas to relinquish Gaza before talks 23:11 Bush to Olmert: 'Existential' Iran threat must be taken seriously 22:21 Shin Bet: Ex-MK Bishara likely recruiting Balad activists to Hezbollah 00:37 Report: Terrorists try to lure IAF officer in effort to kidnap him 21:47 German neo-Nazis: We're pro-Israel, condemn anti-Semitism 23:46 Pioneers or pirates? New novel questions pre-state Zionist narrative 23:20 Religious MKs promote bill to ban Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade 19:23 PA negotiator: Only a miracle will bring peace by the year's end 15:25 Israel eases exit restrictions for 4 of 7 Gaza Fulbright scholars 17:11 Rabbis launch 'prayer for Europe' at EU ceremony 17:25 Defense sources: Syria arming Hezbollah, despite Israel talks Previous Editions Select Day 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may

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