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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Syria's Assad eyes direct peace talks with Israel |
| 2008-12-23 |
| Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that his country would eventually embark on direct peace talks with Israel, but they must be based on U.N. Security Council resolutions. The comments by Bashar al-Assad reflect a softer stance of the Syrian leader, who only recently rebuked Israel by claiming the Jewish state is not genuine in its professed desire for peace with its Arab neighbors. "Peace cannot be achieved through indirect negotiations alone. But if indirect talks succeed then direct negotiations will also, and peace will come naturally," Assad told a news conference with visiting Croatian President Stipe Mesic. He compared the peace process to the construction of a building, and said Syria and Israel are "now laying the foundations" for peace through the Turkey-mediated indirect talks. "We should first lay solid foundations and then construct the building, and not vice versa," he said and added: "If the bases are successful, then direct negotiations will be successful." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 I think the Iranians are going to give him a spanking for saying this. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2008-12-23 02:34 |
| #1 How about direct FAE hit on your palace, pencilneck? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-12-23 02:23 |