Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., July 05, 2008 Tamuz 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:19 (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

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem. (Reuters) Last update - 15:01 04/07/2008 Syria says 'premature' to talk of direct contact with Israel By Reuters and Haaretz Service Tags: Israel, Syria, peace talks  Syria's foreign minister said Friday it was premature to talk of direct peace negotiations with Israel, a day after Israel had called for quickly starting face-to-face discussions. A third round of talks between the long-time foes started in Istanbul on Tuesday and ended on Thursday with an agreement to hold a fourth round of indirect negotiations in Turkey in late July, a Turkish government source said Thursday. Advertisement "It's premature to answer this question," said Walid al-Moualem when asked when direct talks could be held. "The moment when we feel that we've got the agreed common ground between us and the Israelis, which covers all elements of a peace agreement, we will agree on the location of these direct talks," he said in a question and answer session at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI). "The direct talks need an active American participation and sponsoring. To give guarantees we need an active European role maybe represented by France. We need also a role for Russia, a role for the United Nations for these talks," he said. The latest round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Syria covered core issues including the future of the Golan Heights, Army Radio reported on Friday, quoting a Turkish official. As Israel and Syria approach a fourth round of Turkish-mediated peace talk, Jerusalem will demand Damascus prove its readiness to sever its Iranian ties and condemn terror, the radio said. Senior government officials Shalom Turgeman and Yoram Turbowicz, who are charged with conducting the negotiations on behalf of the Prime Minister's office, returned to Israel from Turkey on Thursday following two days of indirect talks. The two said despite the progressing negotiations, there remain significant rifts between the Israeli and Syrian positions, the radio said. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday that the peace talks, now mediated by Turkey, would have to be conducted face-to-face "very soon." "With the Syrians, we are talking seriously and in my estimation very soon the negotiations will have to be direct. They will not be able to continue in the mode in which they are currently being held," Olmert told an economic conference in the southern resort city of Eilat. Olmert made his comments as the third round of indirect talks between Israel and Syria came to a close in Turkey on Thursday. A Turkish government source said that Israel and Syria have agreed to hold a fourth round of indirect talks in late July. During that meeting, the sides will decide whether to move to direct talks starting in August, the source said. Related articles: Olmert: Direct Israel-Syria peace talks needed 'very soon' U.S. envoy: We won't intervene in Israel-Syria talks How many missiles will be fired from Iran, Syria, Lebanon in the next war? Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Colombian Entebbe' Israelis contributed to the dramatic Colombia rescue of 15 hostages. Handshake controversy Iraqi MPs voice their rage at President Talabani for shaking the hand of Ehud Barak.   1.   Dont talk directly with a nation that threatens to attack Iran 16:00  |  Harold 04/07/08   2.   The Golan ? a paramount strategic asset for Israel. 18:06  |  Jean Van Daem 04/07/08   3.   `premature` In Translation 22:14  |  Yosemite 04/07/08   4.   Everytime I See Walid`s Photo... 00:15  |  Yosemite 05/07/08   5.   jean van daem 3 14:13  |  potobac 05/07/08

Read & React Barak orders demolition of Jerusalem, yeshiva terrorists' homes Responses: 371 Mother of Kuntar victim: This monster will be a Lebanon hero Responses: 144 Peres: No chance of peace with Palestinians Responses: 185 Iran: Any attack on our nuclear facility will be beginning of war Responses: 262 Colombia hostage rescue: the Israeli angle Responses: 113 Rosner's Domain On Israel-Diaspora relations, Israelis are quite clueless How good/bad is Obama's faith based initiative (WTR) Poll: Do you believe Israel might attack Iran? Young adult Jews prefer to marry Jews Back to Vietnam More Headlines 13:26 Iranian response to int'l incentive package sidesteps nuclear issue 12:40 Hamas suspends Shalit talks over Gaza closure 19:59 Barak orders demolition of Jerusalem, yeshiva terrorists' homes 05:47 'Police called us smelly Bedouin, then they started to beat us' 04:10 Israel lobbies UN as Ban mulls appointment of new human rights chief 13:29 Man rips off head of Hitler wax figure at new Berlin museum 13:50 Syrian rights group: Political prisoners butchered in clash with warders 22:02 Hundreds take part in mass water fight at Rabin Square 13:49 Iraqi MPs voice outrage after president shakes Barak's hand 13:38 Iran: Any attack on our nuclear facility will be beginning of war 02:50 Police arrest Bedouin man suspected of smuggling drugs worth millions 08:48 Colombia hostage rescue: the Israeli angle 15:08 MK Barakeh reportedly met with Hamas' Meshal in Abu Dhabi 15:01 Syria says 'premature' to talk of direct contact with Israel 14:33 Hamas vs. hummus: Guess who's on the loose in Middle East? 23:09 Hezbollah expected to report Arad died in Lebanon over a decade ago Previous Editions Select Day 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun

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