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| Middle East |
| Sharon: Golan Withdrawal Key to Peace |
| 2004-01-20 |
| Addressing two of Israel’s thorniest issues, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told lawmakers Monday that peace with Syria would require a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights and ordered a review of the contentious West Bank separation barrier. Sharon’s comments on the Golan, made to parliament’s Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, were an unprecedented admission by the career hard-liner. In the past, right-wing Israeli governments insisted a peace deal could be reached without a withdrawal from the strategic plateau captured in the 1967 Mideast war. Only possible if a baby duck became leader of Syria. The prime minister did not tell the closed-door meeting whether he was willing to pay what he defined as the price for peace. However, one committee member said it was clear from the context that Sharon is not ready to return the Golan in exchange for a peace deal. Since baby Doc prolly won’t be around very long to honor such a deal. In an interview published Monday in the London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, Assad appeared pessimistic about the chances of talks with Sharon. "From the beginning and until this moment, the U.S. administration did not wish to throw itself into the peace process. As for Sharon ... it is hard for him to succeed on a peace platform," Assad said. The Syrian president has said talks must resume where they broke off under Sharon’s predecessor, Ehud Barak. But Sharon wants to start from scratch and also has demanded that Syria crack down on militant groups. I think the correct diplospeak is "Both sides remain far apart on the issues." Israeli officials believe Assad is trying to deflect U.S. pressure, especially in light of the American presence in neighboring Iraq. But some Cabinet ministers say Israel should take Syria up on its offer. Sharon was asked by a lawmaker at Monday’s committee meeting if now is a good time to renew talks with Syria, said Sharon’s spokesman, Raanan Gissin. "No one should have any illusions. The price of peace with Syria is leaving the Golan Heights," Gissin quoted the prime minister as saying. Ran Cohen, a committee member from the left-wing Meretz Party, said Sharon suggested such a pullback would be too much for Israel to bear. "His main declaration was that he is not ready to withdraw from the Golan, even for peace with Syria," Cohen told The Associated Press. Stall, Ariel, and see what happens up north. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 Only possible if a baby duck became leader of Syria. ...Oh, come on now Steve, you know that that's impossible - the Israelis slaughtered all the baby ducks ages ago in one of their unprovoked attacks on the peaceful In fact, I hear that U.N. is looking into the matter right now - probably issue another resolution |
| Posted by: Dripping Sarcasm 2004-1-20 2:53:47 PM |
| #1 lets see, israel gives up this piece, gets peace for a little while, then gives up this piece... How about this tact: Give Israel peace, or die. I think that sends a stronger message. |
| Posted by: flash91 2004-1-20 12:11:11 PM |