Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., June 11, 2008 Sivan 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 09:21 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Syrian President Bashar Assad. (Archives) Last update - 10:58 10/06/2008 Turkish, Israeli sources: Israel-Syria talks to resume Thursday By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Turkey, Syria, Israel  Indirect negotiations between Israel and Syria are expected to start on Thursday in Istanbul, diplomatic sources in Ankara and Jerusalem say. Despite Israel's political crisis, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is determined to make progress on the Syrian track, which he considers strategically important. "We must present the Syrians with the alternative for peace, and not only the possibility for war and international isolation," Olmert said during discussions in recent days with aides and experts on Syria from academia and the defense establishment. Advertisement According to a senior political source in Israel, Olmert is following an agenda on Syria formulated by him last year. Olmert has decided that talks on the basis of the principles of the 1991 Madrid Conference represent the best possible scenario. "We have taken a long time to conclude this with the Syrians," Olmert said during the closed meetings, adding that "it is not too detailed and it enables us to negotiate." Olmert is convinced it is possible - but also a must - to decouple Syria from the radical axis led by Iran. In talks with aides, Olmert reiterates that "Syria must be faced with a different alternative." This is why he tried hard to convince the Americans to invite Syria to the Annapolis Conference last November, he says. Olmert says that during the past year no one has offered the Syrians anything except international isolation, and that is why they stayed close to Iran and Hezbollah. "The Syrians need to make a decision on where they are headed strategically," Olmert said in the closed meetings. "But they could do this only when we present them with a peaceful alternative," he added. "I know that the indirect negotiations [with Turkish mediation] with the Syrians have already given them legitimacy," Olmert said, "but on the other hand, it shows to [President Bashar] Assad what can be if he moves forward with Israel." Related articles: Israel, Syria said to have made progress in talks Israel urges EU: Show 'caution' in contacts with Damascus Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria Bookmark to del.icio.us   Marketing ploy Israeli satellite TV has a new star - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Through her lens Madonna's next project: documentary about the Israeli-Arab conflict.   1.   We should not abandon the Golan Hights. 08:46  |  Jean Van Daem 10/06/08   2.   keep your focus, olmert! take it all the way! 08:53  |  eric 10/06/08   3.   Peace with Syria but not at any price 09:29  |  Daniel 10/06/08   4.   to # 1 because it does not belong to you 12:26  |  gus 10/06/08   5.   Olmert hints at displeasure with Mofaz comments on Iran 13:57  |  Dolly 10/06/08   6.   # 5 to dolly 09:03  |  eric 11/06/08

Read & React Palestinians: IDF fire kills 9-year-old girl in Gaza Strip Responses: 3 Editorial: No good reason for broad IDF Gaza operation Responses: 3 Haniyeh aide: Hamas expects gesture in exchange for Shalit letter Responses: 30 IDF reservists complain their service consists of babysitting young settlers Responses: 3 Alexander Yakobson: Religious rites not needed to join the Jewish people Responses: 2 Rosner's Domain Lieberman for VP? Only 18% want it (WTR) On a par with the policies of President Bush Threatening Iran is wrong (WTR) Poll: Philip Roth, Victor Frankl or Leon Uris? Obama and Jerusalem: did you really believe him? More Headlines 09:17 Palestinians: IDF fire kills 9-year-old girl in Gaza 07:33 Pressure mounting on Olmert to set date for Kadima primaries 09:13 Haniyeh aide: In exchange for Shalit letter, we expect gesture 07:32 Bill banning would-be MKs who visit enemy countries passes first reading 09:16 Immigration raid on Iowa kosher meat plant likely to raise prices 06:27 Israel keeps mum ahead of cease-fire meeting with Hamas 04:18 Israeli company develops system that allows users to see through walls 08:03 U.S. Army training Egyptians to find and destroy smuggling tunnels 05:56 Teenager who murdered for 'thrill' wants life sentence commuted 05:36 Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv launches Web site in Hebrew 08:22 Dead Sea is drying up alarmingly, receded 10 centimeters in May Previous Editions Select Day 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may

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