Syria Rejects Israel's Call to Cut Ties With Iran, Arab Militant Groups
AP (Associated Press)
Saturday , May 24, 2008
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357947,00.html


DAMASCUS, Syria —
Syria rejected Israel's demand that Damascus cut its ties with Iran
and Arab militant groups as a condition for a peace agreement, a state
newspaper said Saturday.

The announcement comes even as Syrian ally Hamas, a sworn foe of the
Jewish state, cast doubt on the Israeli government's ability to even
deliver on a peace agreement due to the weakness of its prime minister.

The remarks underline the difficulties facing the negotiations between
Israel and Syria, restarted Wednesday after an eight year hiatus.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni had said Thursday Syria would
have to stop supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and cut ties with Iran if
any agreement were to happen.

Saturday's editorial in Tishrin, which reflects official policy, said
that Israel could not lay down conditions ahead of negotiations.

"Damascus does not want preconditions, that would put the cart before
the horse ... It does not bargain over its relations with other
countries and people," the editorial stated.

"It goes without saying that impossible conditions cannot facilitate
the work of negotiators," added the editorial which likened it to
"putting stakes in the wheels" of the peace process.

As if to underline Israel's concerns, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal was
in Tehran Saturday, meeting with Iranian officials. While he was
careful not to criticize the decision of Syria to restart
negotiations, he cast doubt on their chances for success.

"(Israel) is maneuvering and playing with all the (negotiating) tracks
— it's a well known game and besides, Olmert's weakness will not allow
him to take this step," Mashaal said.

An investigation into Olmert over corruption allegations have raised
doubts about his ability to conclude a peace deal with the
Palestinians by a year-end target or pursue recently confirmed peace
talks with Syria.

Outspoken Likud member Tzachi Hanegbi on Saturday called for an early
election in Israel to vote on any peace deal negotiated between Syria
and Israel. Hanegbi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview
that his party did not run on a platform of peace with Syria, and said
elections would show whether Israelis really wanted a deal or not.

Hanegbi also underlined the absolute necessity of Syria cutting ties
with militant groups and Iran.

"It's understood that Syria wants to have the Golan Heights, and
Israel wants a total (Syrian) disassociation from Hamas, Hezbollah and
Iran. It's a red line, to ensure our security...and to prevent a
surprise attack."

Israel captured the plateau in the 1967 Middle East war, and many
Israelis see it as a valuable buffer against attack. Today the Golan
Heights are home to 18,000 Israelis who run thriving wine and tourism
industries. Olmert himself vacationed there last month.

According to the poll, only 19 percent of Israelis are willing to cede
the entire Golan Heights, down from 32 percent a month ago.

Israel and Syria are bitter enemies whose attempts at reaching peace
have failed in the past. The last round of talks collapsed in 2000
because of a disagreement over a narrow strip of land along the Sea of
Galilee that Israel wanted to keep to preserve its water rights.

The nations have fought three wars, their forces have clashed in
Lebanon, and more recently, Syria has given support to Hezbollah
guerrillas in Lebanon and Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas.