WORLD / Middle East |
Israel, Syria reach understandings(AP)Updated: 2007-01-16 14:46 JERUSALEM - Israel and Syria have reached understandings on a future peace deal between the two countries following a series of secret talks between its representatives, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported Tuesday. According to the report, Israeli and Syrian officials met secretly in Europe several times between September 2004 and July 2006, reaching a framework for a deal that would include an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which it captured in the 1967 Mideast war. Haaretz reported that Israel was represented by Alon Liel, a former top diplomat, and that Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert were briefed on the meetings. The report said Syrian President Bashar Assad initiated the meetings, and that Turkish mediators came the first contacts between the two sides. Official peace talks between Israel and Syria broke down in 2000. According to the report, Israel agreed to withdraw to the lines of the Sea of Galilee, but would retain control of its waters and those of the Jordan River. A park that will cover a significant portion of the Golan Heights will be set up for joint use by Israelis and Syrians, the report said. The border area will be demilitarized along a 1:4 ratio in Israel's favor. According to the terms, Syria also will agree to end its support for Hezbollah and Hamas and will distance itself from Iran, the report said. Not all matters were agreed upon as the timetable for the withdrawal remained open. Syria demanded the pullout be carried out over a five-year period, while Israel asked for the withdrawal to be spread out over 15 years, Haaretz reported. |
|