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Last update - 23:00 10/06/2008 Syria: First the Golan Heights, then direct talks By Reuters Tags: Syria, Israel  A senior Syrian official said on Tuesday that no direct peace negotiations would be held with Israel until it recognizes what Damascus regards as requirements for a deal, the full return of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Indirect talks between Syria and Israel are expected to resume soon in Turkey, which has been mediating between the two sides since last year. The Damascus government and Israel have kept secret the details of the talks. Israel has linked a peace agreement to Syria distancing itself from Iran and severing ties with Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas. Advertisement "I think it is too early to resume direct talks. There are conditions," Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mekdad told reporters. "I hope Israel responds to the requirements of peace, which are the end of the occupation of Palestine and the establishment of a Palestinian state, restoration of the Syrian Golan and pull out of remaining occupied Lebanese territory," he added. Israel and Syria said last month they had launched indirect peace talks in Turkey. Previous talks under U.S. auspices collapsed in 2000 over the scope of a proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Golan, which Syria considered as not covering the whole territory. Mekdad declined to confirm whether the talks would resume next week. He said the talks in Turkey "were in their infancy" and Syria hoped that Israel was serious about reaching an agreement that would help stabilize the Middle East. Syrian officials are wary that Israel's interest in a deal may be short-lived, with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert facing a corruption investigation that could force him out of office. "Our goal is an Israeli withdrawal from all the lands of the Syrian Republic. This is the basis for launching direct talks," said Mekdad, a main player in Syrian foreign policy. Olmert said last month that Israel had made no commitment to Syria to pull out of the Golan Heights in the indirect talks that started in 2007. Israeli officials have said Israel favoured moving to direct talks but it was unknown when that would happen. "When talks move to direct talks that would be a sign of significant progress," said Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev. Syrian President Bashar Assad recently dismissed Israeli demands that Syria abandon its alliance with Iran as a requirement for a peace deal. Assad said Syria intended to maintain "normal relations" with Iran while it conducts the indirect talks. Related articles: Syria: Olmert's political weakness may affect recently renewed peace talks Defense sources: Syria arming Hezbollah, despite Israel talks Hamas: Israel-Syria talks won't affect our 'strategic' ties with Damascus Haaretz.com TV / Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national obligation' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Knowing when to fold Ehud Olmert tells Kadima to begin preparations for party primaries. Time for vegetarianism? Kosher meat prices in the U.S. are likely to soar after a raid on an Iowa plant.   1.   Common sense. 22:12  |  Jean Van Daem 10/06/08   2.   "Go for it Olmert!" enthused "Harretz"` Yoel Marcus 22:36  |  Absolute Sweden 10/06/08   3.   more plausible: no talks with syria till civilized. 22:45  |  frenz 10/06/08   4.   Just What Haaretz Likes - Appeasement Now ! 23:09  |  Tod Zuckerman 10/06/08   5.   Empty Pockets 23:15  |  Ramius 10/06/08   6.   Sadat," Egypt regainedSinai for piece of paper"-Assad wants same 23:17  |  Alan SA 10/06/08   7.   Thanks for the laugh, Syria!! 23:22  |  Will 10/06/08   8.   The Key Is Military Strength. 23:23  |  Cool B 10/06/08   9.   Syria is afraid of an attack on Iran 23:46  |  Slappy 10/06/08   10.   They`re out of their muslim minds!!! 00:07  |  Akiva P 11/06/08   11.   Who pays for a product before seeing it first? 00:16  |  AliciaYasmeen 11/06/08   12.   so lets get this straight, cede land lost in War of Syrias own 00:17  |  jj 11/06/08   13.   Send Syrians to hell or wherever they belong in 00:17  |  Sal 11/06/08   14.   Golan and Syria 00:43  |  Roland Nilsson 11/06/08   15.   Mr. President 00:45  |  Ricardo Levy 11/06/08   16.   When will Israel act like a civilized nation? Abandon Land Theft! 00:46  |  POP 11/06/08   17.   "all the lands of the Syrian Republic" 00:49  |  Avrum 11/06/08   18.   tell syria 01:01  |  jw 11/06/08   19.   Golan hights and then talks????? 01:02  |  Mexi 11/06/08   20.   not an inch 01:03  |  pepsi 11/06/08   21.   ha..ha...ha!!! 01:09  |  Nachman Shabsi 11/06/08   22.   ha..ha...ha!!! 01:09  |  Nachman Shabsi 11/06/08   23.   First talk then we will see.... 01:11  |  Gemma 11/06/08   24.   Here we go again: the cart before the horse 01:20  |  Gili 11/06/08   25.   uhhhh? 01:45  |  Eli 11/06/08   26.   Wait Until Democracy & Christianity Come to Syria 01:47  |  Eli Walensky 11/06/08   27.   what`s left to talk about 01:51  |  natan 11/06/08   28.   PRECONDITIONS&public announcements,a performance NOT negotiations 01:52  |  PETER SM 11/06/08   29.   Syria`s demands...reality 02:25  |  JJ 11/06/08   30.   Stupid Olmert, Barak, Beilin will probably agree to this 02:42  |  Ken Jurist 11/06/08   31.   annex it all and get it over with 02:44  |  annex now! 11/06/08   32.   Right on, Syria, get what you want and then negotiate 02:45  |  Wolf 11/06/08   33.   The looser demands the benefit of the winner. 03:08  |  Moshe 11/06/08   34.   Eh,Eh,Eh,...good joke... 03:11  |  Shmuelshachor 11/06/08   35.   The Golan is Israel?s territory forever 03:16  |  Moshe 11/06/08   36.   Syria demands return of land 03:41  |  Chip 11/06/08   37.   ASSAD SAYS GIVE THE GOLAN THEN WE TALK;HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH RIGHT 03:42  |  glenna 11/06/08   38.   Re:Annex now# 20 05:33  |  e.m Jordan is Palse 11/06/08   39.   #1 Jean Van Daem 05:56  |  Jim 11/06/08   40.   Syria: Just say no 06:07  |  Natallie Durson 11/06/08   41.   Arabs-We win war,goodbye Israel. We lose,give it all back 07:24  |  Sam 11/06/08   42.   #17 Gili 07:31  |  Jim 11/06/08   43.   First Step Before Talking 09:56  |  Yosemite 12/06/08

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