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Barak: Only U.S. can help Israel-Syria talks; Syria: No chance of Assad-Olmert handshake By News Agencies Israel and Syria are unlikely to hold direct peace negotiations before the end of the year, especially without the involvement of the United States, Defense Minister Ehud Barak was quoted as saying yesterday. Barak told the French newspaper Le Monde that indirect talks between the neighboring countries, which are currently being mediated by Turkey, amounted to "preliminary contacts," not negotiations. Advertisement "I don't think we will have negotiations before the end of this year without the contribution of the Americans, who alone can help bridge the gaps," he said, adding he believed the United States would get involved in the future. But he said a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Syrian President Bashar Assad could provide a psychological boost that could move the process forward. The interview came amid speculation Olmert and Assad may meet during a July 13 summit of European and Mediterranean leaders in Paris. Also yesterday, Assad said he needed to see more progress in Turkey-mediated indirect peace talks with Israel before he would agree to a meeting with Olmert. In India on a four-day visit, Assad said, "This is not like drinking tea," when asked if he would meet Olmert in Paris. "The meeting between me and the Israeli prime minister will be meaningless without the technocrats laying the foundation, without reaching the final stage," he said. Calling the Turkey-mediated talks "some glimmer of hope," Assad said the Israeli government needed do more if it wanted a meeting between him and Olmert. "Only sending signals without real result is meaningless," he said. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem was quoted in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat yesterday as saying there were no plans for the two leaders to shake hands during the Paris summit. Assad and Olmert are expected to attend the Mediterranean Union Summit slated for July 13 to launch a French-proposed economic alliance between Europe and countries on the southern coast of the Mediterranean, including Syria and Israel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Purchase price More consumers are letting their consciences do the shopping. Fighting fear N.Y. mayor urges Jewish voters to denounce Obama Muslim rumors.

Read & React Bradley Burston: Peace dead? Send us your own plan Responses: 224 U.S., Canada warn Hezbollah set to strike Jewish targets, report says Responses: 241 Report: Israel held drill as prep for attack on Iran Responses: 362 Messianic Jews: Police indifferent to threats against us Responses: 145 Report: Israeli political official says drill was a warning to Iran Responses: 119 More Headlines 02:36 Israel seeks Hamas flexibility on Shalit deal 22:03 Shalit's parents to petition High Court for clarification on truce 01:13 Report: North Korea developed nukes for Iran at bombed Syrian facility 23:19 Abducted IDF soldier writes to parents from captivity in Gaza 02:50 Iran slams reports of Israeli drill in preparation for strike 17:42 Group calls for end to arms transfer to Palestinian Authority 12:13 Obama: Israel right to provide for its security amid Iran threat 22:30 Couple assaulted in restaurant after asking diners to stop smoking 11:24 UNICEF severs ties with Israeli mogul over settlement building 18:59 Fire erupts at Maale Hachamisha hotel in Jerusalem hills 18:14 Israeli hiker missing in China after falling off cliff during trek Previous Editions Select Day 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun

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