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Last update - 00:00 17/06/2008
UN envoy: Israel has given Syria a 'huge gift' for free
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Olmert, Israel, Syria, Assad

A senior United Nations official has harshly criticized Israel's
indirect negotiations with Syria, whose second round ended yesterday, charging that "Israel has given Syria a huge gift, without thus far receiving anything in exchange."

Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN secretary-general's special envoy for the
i
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mplementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, made the comments last week in a conversation with Israeli diplomats.

In a classified telegram to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, Israel's UN delegation wrote that Larsen had complained that "Syria is receiving
legitimacy for free."

"Europe is courting the Syrians because of the negotiations with Israel, and they are no longer being asked to give anything in exchange," the telegram quoted Larsen as saying.

Larsen is considered one of the UN's leading experts on Middle Eastern
affairs, and especially on Syrian and Lebanese issues. However, he has an
extremely negative view of Syrian President Bashar Assad, due to Assad's
meddling in Lebanon in general and his suspected involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri in particular.

The key element of the resolution Roed-Larsen is charged with overseeing,
which was adopted in 2004, was a demand that Syrian forces exit Lebanon,
though the text also urges the dismantling of all Lebanese militias.

Nor is Larsen the only international player to express reservations about the Israeli-Syrian talks: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said recently that it was more important right now to focus on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. It is not clear whether Rice reiterated this comment to Israeli officials in her talks with them earlier this week.

The second round of talks lasted two days. Once again, the parties refrained from talking directly; rather, Turkish mediators ferried messages back and forth.

According to a senior Israeli official, the session ended with an agreement to continue the discussions intensively, and dates were set for two more meetings over the next few weeks. These sessions, like their predecessors, will take place in Turkey, but the Turks are keen to keep the exact location secret. It is still not known whether the latest round took place in Ankara or Istanbul.

Israel's representatives at the talks, Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turgeman, told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that the atmosphere was positive and constructive. Turkish officials echoed this assessment.

From Turkey, Turbowicz and Turgeman preceded to France to discuss an upcoming trip to Israel by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the summit Sarkozy will host next month on his plan to establish a union of Mediterranean countries. Assad and Olmert are both among the 47 leaders who received invitations, and an Israeli official told Reuters that Sarkozy is trying to arrange a meeting between them. However, Jerusalem considers it highly unlikely that Assad will agree.

Related articles:
  • Official: Latest Israel-Syria talks end in 'positive atmosphere'
  • Israel-Syria talks enter second round in Turkey
  • Report: Turkey and Syria consider joint nuclear energy project
  • Netanyahu, on Syria talks: Peace with dictatorial state won't last
  • Uzi Benziman / Peace isn't a discount sale

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      1.   Syiria talks 01:20  |  Michael 17/06/08
      2.   Larsen is no friend of Israel,I`d trust Assad more than him. 01:25  |  Alan SA 17/06/08
      3.   APPEASERS! 01:40  |  g w BUSH 17/06/08
      4.   Show respect to get respect 01:44  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 17/06/08
      5.   Sorry Terje, Olmert needs that smoke screen 01:44  |  Ruben Misrahi 17/06/08
      6.   Misunderstanding Israel`s goals. 02:00  |  Natahniel 17/06/08
      7.   Cover and Deception, not nothing 02:07  |  Mark Lincoln 17/06/08
      8.   Larsen is right 02:12  |  Brod 17/06/08
      9.   Golan is Israeli! 02:40  |  Joey 17/06/08
      10.   ISRAEL can`t win with UN circus can it? 02:40  |  PETER SM 17/06/08
      11.   Joey #9 03:33  |  jjvanka 17/06/08
      12.   #4 MARK KLEIN 03:52  |  Courcey 17/06/08
      13.   HE SHOULD KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT 04:03  |  Arik Silverman 17/06/08
      14.   It`s a sad day...... 04:20  |  Gilles 17/06/08
      15.   Something for nothing - that`s the point 04:22  |  Margaret Connell 17/06/08
      16.   The UN and USA Are Right on t 04:54  |  Dave Levy 17/06/08
      17.   # 10 Peter SM....Assad is only cozying up 05:00  |  Lynn 17/06/08
      18.   Terje Rød Larsen 05:05  |  Magnus k 17/06/08
      19.   Assad Gave Israel a lot 05:15  |  Ron 17/06/08
      20.   Yes he should keep his big mouth shut 05:15  |  Vadim 17/06/08
      21.   Once Again, The Parties Refrained From Talking Directly; Rather, 05:20  |  Eli 17/06/08
      22.   Living Well is The Best Revenge 05:25  |  Jimmy 17/06/08
      23.   Antisemite Larsen lambasted Israel before for not doing enough, 05:31  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/06/08
      24.   A very early stage 05:42  |  Tosefta 17/06/08
      25.   Hey, Laren: we already did that - we gave up Gaza 05:55  |  R 17/06/08
      26.   No negotiations before Israel bombed Syria? 06:30  |  Maureen Ann 17/06/08
      27.   Larsen, it`s Israel-bashers like you that force Israel into this 06:36  |  McQueen 17/06/08
      28.   Israel and Syria using each other 06:43  |  MarkC 17/06/08
      29.   UN envoy attacks Israel for having peace talks 06:48  |  DrSteveB 17/06/08
      30.   Damn`ed if you do... 06:48  |  Montrealer 17/06/08
      31.   #7 mark L - then WHY are you posting messages here? 06:55  |  CK Tan 17/06/08
      32.   Larsen hit the nail on the head 07:02  |  Proud Israeli 17/06/08
      33.   Good Comments Dave Levy #16 07:20  |  Proud Israeli 17/06/08
      34.   #23 Genuine Tosefta - Tough for Israel as usual 07:21  |  CK Tan 17/06/08
      35.   Israel is too peaceful? 07:27  |  David 17/06/08
      36.   #26 maureen from "the backwaters of intelligence" - what is.. 07:28  |  CK Tan 17/06/08
      37.   It`s OK Larsen, we are used to giving without getting anything 07:46  |  Dan 17/06/08
      38.   jjvanka # 11 - WRONG- According to International Law 08:03  |  Dolly 17/06/08
      39.   he should be fired. 08:17  |  ClearCut 17/06/08
      40.   Magnus k you coming from Norway seem very "objective" to protect 08:22  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/06/08
      41.   what else is new 08:22  |  valerie 17/06/08
      42.   larsen`s an idiot who has NO place criticizing israel! 08:28  |  eric 17/06/08
      43.   Israel giving Syria LEGAL RIGHTS TO REGAIN THE GOLAN!!! 08:30  |  Dagma 17/06/08
      44.   CK Tan tough is tough but not the worst 08:32  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/06/08
      45.   What nonsense: quoted in a secrete telegram by an Israeli officia 08:45  |  AA 17/06/08
      46.   Larson on Harriri`s payrol (fact) 08:55  |  Amer 17/06/08
      47.   Israel gave Larsen a `HUGE GIFT` --for Services HE Rendered! 08:58  |  100,000 USD 17/06/08
      48.   Israel gave Larsen a `HUGE GIFT` --for Services HE Rendered! 08:58  |  100,000 USD 17/06/08
      49.   MUNICH II....APPEASING DICTATORS 09:03  |  Ben Uziel 17/06/08
      50.   Larsen is Justified in his criticism of Olmert 09:05  |  The Threadmill 17/06/08
      51.   Is Olmert a spy??? 09:23  |  Sam 17/06/08
      52.   Is Barak Ravid a Journalist, or HIS MASTERS` VOICE? 09:24  |  Q 17/06/08
      53.   Is Barak Ravid a Journalist, or HIS MASTERS` VOICE? 09:24  |  Q 17/06/08
      54.   The `Magnificent Manipulator` Olmert...... 09:28  |  Natasha 17/06/08
      55.   #CKTan. The intelligent one. 09:40  |  Maureen Ann 17/06/08
      56.   DEMONSTRATIONS and more DEMONSTRATIONS 09:49  |  Dolly 17/06/08
      57.   "Syria is receiving legitimacy for free" 09:55  |  Colin Wright 17/06/08
      58.   FAILED BY MILITARY MEANS, NOW "HUGE GIFT" B.S 09:58  |  indrajaya 17/06/08
      59.   re CK Tan #31 10:01  |  Colin Wright 17/06/08
      60.   DEMONSTRATIONS and MORE DEMONSTRATIONS 10:03  |  Dagma 17/06/08
      61.   one is left speechless 10:17  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/08
      62.   Syra has "legiimacy" anyway 10:20  |  Fritz T. 17/06/08
      63.   To Post 48 l00,000 USD - Do You Understand fully..... 10:21  |  Pathfinder 17/06/08
      64.   Olmert was PAID. 10:23  |  netta 17/06/08
      65.   ISRAEL IS BEING RAPED BY THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!! 10:24  |  OLMERT=CRIMINAL 17/06/08
      66.   Magnus k....Terje the best you have to offer? 10:38  |  Ofer Maimon 17/06/08
      67.   # 47, 100.000USD 10:47  |  indrajaya 17/06/08
      68.   #61 Cipora is rendered speechless! 10:56  |  Johnboy 17/06/08
      69.   Roed-Larsen burst his bubble 10:58  |  Steve the Pals. 17/06/08
      70.   Sharon plan was something else... 11:09  |  DR D 17/06/08
      71.   LARSEN who objected to the International Red cross recognising 11:20  |  PETER SM 17/06/08
      72.   Terje Roed-Larse should be ashamed of himself. 11:29  |  Michael 17/06/08
      73.   UN gave Arabs a huge gift!! Watched them use UN marked vehicles 11:36  |  PETER SM 17/06/08
      74.   CLEARCUT Serving Syrian interests would be OK by You? 11:40  |  PETER SM 17/06/08
      75.   To 100,000 USD - A gift from Shimon Peres..... 11:41  |  Dagma 17/06/08
      76.   The UN in general and its personnel in particular have had a bad 11:53  |  Amihai 17/06/08
      77.   To Steve the Pals # 69 - Incredulous Nonsense.... 12:03  |  Josephus 17/06/08
      78.   #55 Good come back Maureen Ann! 12:06  |  J 17/06/08
      79.   Colin Wright - double standards 12:13  |  Jonathan 17/06/08
      80.   Israel never be able to satisfy the UN but thanks for criticism 12:28  |  zionist forever 17/06/08
      81.   Larsen is even worse than the Israeli far right 13:01  |  Edith 17/06/08
      82.   Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut...... 13:04  |  Swiss (Dino) 17/06/08
      83.   #4 Mark Klein, I agree 13:07  |  Edith 17/06/08
      84.   such a wretched article 13:16  |  dovale 17/06/08
      85.   Europeans can`t help but criticise Israel 13:19  |  SystemF 17/06/08
      86.   #59 colin wright is DESPERATE for DICTATORSHIP (last try) 13:31  |  CK Tan 17/06/08
      87.   Mid East Peace encroaching on World Peace 13:41  |  Avi 17/06/08
      88.   What a bunch of hypocrites 14:11  |  Hilda 17/06/08
      89.   oh my G*d 14:23  |  merre 17/06/08
      90.   Diplomat is another Israeli agent 14:34  |  Basher 17/06/08
      91.   Another Racist UN Envoy 14:57  |  Ray 17/06/08
      92.   Another Racist UN Envoy 14:57  |  Ray 17/06/08
      93.   I suggest the UN examine the lack of implementation of 1701!!!!! 14:57  |  Nahum 17/06/08
      94.   I wish the UN took a single positive gesture toward Israel, one! 15:01  |  Edna 17/06/08
      95.   # 69, Steve the Pals, Arabs and their appologists can not 15:10  |  Max Horoskopski 17/06/08
      96.   #.82. Dino. I cannot agree more. 16:04  |  Stephen. 17/06/08
      97.   Syria is Benefitting From Israel`s Intra-Fighting 16:30  |  Dave Levy 17/06/08
      98.   ANY ISRAEL-SYRIAN SETTLEMENT MUST BE BASED ON "HATAY" MODEL 16:46  |  Joel Stein 17/06/08
      99.   Basher, based on the Golan Syria attacked Israel in 1948 with the 17:02  |  Robert 17/06/08
      100.   Hizballah and Iran 17:17  |  Brian 17/06/08
      101.   Swiss (Dino) 17:28  |  David Isarel 17/06/08
      102.   Joel Stein - The Hatay model 17:47  |  David Isarel 17/06/08
      103.   (88) Hilda, wished you were right but you aren´t 17:55  |  Jew- and Bookburner 17/06/08
      104.   # 96 Stephen 18:00  |  Swiss (Dino) 17/06/08
      105.   TO Haaretz Editors 18:39  |  AliciaYasmeen 17/06/08
      106.   #100 Brian Hizballah and Iran.I Wouldn`t Trust Bashar.. 18:42  |  KATHY 17/06/08
      107.   #87 Avi..Mid East Peace encroaching on World Peace 19:28  |  KATHY 17/06/08
      108.   #61 Cipora Julianna Kohn 19:29  |  Chris Linthwaite 17/06/08
      109.   # 107 Avi And here is more to read.The Latest.... 19:52  |  KATHY 17/06/08
      110.   Kathy 20:30  |  Nemesis 17/06/08
      111.   Why should any Israeli trust the UN, its motives and personnel? 20:40  |  Gabi 17/06/08
      112.   Olmert;s next Stage is running for KADIMA Primaries ..... 20:44  |  Dagma 17/06/08
      113.   # 110 Nemesis..For your reply Thank You.It is mutual assuredly. 21:43  |  KATHY 17/06/08
      114.   # 95 Max Horoskopski..For your reference thanks.Just came back.. 22:03  |  KATHY 17/06/08
      115.   to #51,who asks,is olmert a spy? 22:08  |  chaim 17/06/08
      116.   #108 Chris Lintwaithe 22:08  |  Labhras 17/06/08
      117.   #94 Edna 22:18  |  Labhras 17/06/08
      118.   #105 Alicia Y,Your Plea to Haaretz Editors.& #110 Barry?? 22:19  |  KATHY 17/06/08
      119.   both UN in general and Larsen in particular are Anti-Israel ... 22:27  |  felix 17/06/08
      120.   To Gabi # 111 - The United Nations..... 22:30  |  Dolly 17/06/08
      121.   #26 Maureen Ann - No negotiations before 22:36  |  * BEN JABO 17/06/08
      122.   Maureen Ann - you were concerned with medals 22:38  |  * BEN JABO 17/06/08
      123.   #82 DINO, "a good friend always tells the truth" 23:05  |  AliciaYasmeen 17/06/08
      124.   #105, Alicia Yasmeen 23:24  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/08
      125.   #106, Kathy, never mind not trusting Assad, look at Olmert 23:31  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/08
      126.   Maureen Ann - In recognition of your failure to perform 23:35  |  * BEN JABO 17/06/08
      127.   # 101 David Israel (2nd try) 23:47  |  Swiss (Dino) 17/06/08
      128.   # 123 Alicia, we have really come a long way...... 23:56  |  Swiss (Dino) 17/06/08
      129.   What`s really going on? 23:59  |  Morris Valentine 17/06/08
      130.   KATHY and Cippora, keep up the good mailing for Israel 00:34  |  AliciaYasmeen 18/06/08
      131.   Zionist reality 00:36  |  muslim 18/06/08
      132.   Larsen is a snake 01:03  |  sam 18/06/08
      133.   It`s not Israel it`s afew of their scandal ridden do-zilch leader 01:12  |  Ben Mendel 18/06/08
      134.   Why is he trying to stir up trouble? 01:23  |  Dutch 18/06/08
      135.   #126 sam Larsen is a snake..Yes you are Quite Correct. 02:12  |  . 18/06/08
      136.   #36, CK TAN, look who`s talking 02:21  |  VIPER 18/06/08
      137.   NOT ISRAELS TO GIVE I SAY 02:24  |  VIPER 18/06/08
      138.   #116 the best thing written by L A B H R A S 02:27  |  Labhras`s admirer 18/06/08
      139.   #118...Kathy 02:43  |  Barry 18/06/08
      140.   UN: Dont make peace unless we allow you to 02:52  |  Free Gilad Shalit 18/06/08
      141.   Israel is giving P.A. terrorists even bigger gifts for free. 02:55  |  Chaim 18/06/08
      142.   Olmert & Livni are spineless. They are both defeatists. 03:26  |  HENRY MANN 18/06/08
      143.   NO ISRAEL DID NOT GIVE SYRIA THE GOLAN;MERT/BUSH DID AND NOW ... 03:52  |  glenna 18/06/08
      144.   GIFT? IT WAS STOLEN IN THE 1ST PLACE 04:20  |  Armando 18/06/08
      145.   the given subject 04:31  |  Hügelsberger Joachim 18/06/08
      146.   # 9 Golan is israeli 04:46  |  Anthony 18/06/08
      147.   It wasn`t for free 05:48  |  Arie 18/06/08
      148.   to 103 05:56  |  Hilda 18/06/08
      149.   Israel is being raped #65 06:15  |  EDBTZ 18/06/08
      150.   a UN officer that does not want Peace. 06:48  |  American 18/06/08
      151.   Throw Olmert & company out. 07:01  |  Sarah 18/06/08
      152.   Zion kiss behind! 07:44  |  Niva dos santos 18/06/08
      153.   he`s right, Syians are weasels 08:40  |  fadi 18/06/08
      154.   to muslim 11:37  |  Harry 18/06/08
      155.   #125 Cipora J.K Today Wednesday Just sowYour Post. 14:34  |  KATHY 18/06/08
      156.   # 130 Alicia Yasmeen..Frustration,is eating us! 15:40  |  KATHY 18/06/08
      157.   # 151 Sara Throw Olmert & company out.And You May be Right. 15:52  |  KATHY 18/06/08
      158.   Kofi Annan, Larsen, raise their voices finally 16:33  |  Alain 18/06/08
      159.   Israel`s "gift" or payment for bombed "nuclear site"? 22:05  |  Tom Clark 18/06/08
      160.   #155, Kathy 20:42  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 19/06/08
      161.   Hi Dino! 21:32  |  Polybios 19/06/08
      162.   Dughmush`s death pleases both Fatah, Hamas 23:27  |  RW 19/06/08
      163.   Pope forgot to kiss Larsen`s ring 06:50  |  Joseph Jibran 20/06/08
      164.   # 131 Muslim 18:25  |  GottaBeKiddingMe 20/06/08
      165.   diverting manuver 21:00  |  Ben 20/06/08
      166.   Olmert = traitor = execute 13:57  |  Moshe 28/06/08
      167.   ...because theyre afraid of hezbollah 17:52  |  Philipope M. 21/07/08
      168.   Roed Larsen 06:26  |  Teresa 24/04/09
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