Syria, Israel begin fresh round of peace talks

DUBAI, JAN 2: Syria and Israel go into a new round of peace talks in the United States on Monday amid hopes that the two sides could reach...

DUBAI, JAN 2: Syria and Israel go into a new round of peace talks in the United States on Monday amid hopes that the two sides could reach an early framework accord. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara will lead their respective delegations at the talks, to be held in Shepherdstown, a tiny resort in West Virginia. The two countries had relaunched peace talks in Washington on December 15 after nearly four years but could not reach any concrete conclusions. Apart from the issue of strategic Golan Heights which Israel occupied in the 1967 war, the resumption of the peace process between Israel and Lebanon will be high on the agenda during the Israeli-Syrian negotiations.

US President Bill Clinton has been taking personal interest in the peace negotiations between the two countries. The first round of talks was closely monitored by him. He has already stated time and again that the road towards peace would be arduous for both countries but they would have to standfirmly against those who seek to derail the process.

Reports from Israel say that Barak has been insisting on guarantees that Syria would not divert water from Golan Heights if the Jewish state handed back the plateau in return for peace. 8220;We had problems with Syria diverting water from the Golan prior to the 1967 war and the Prime Minister is of the view that we must ensure that such diversions do not recur,8221; an official of the Israeli Prime Minister8217;s office was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Syria has expressed the hope that a just and comprehensive peace would prevail in the Middle East and the new millennium would put an end to all conflicts.

In an editorial, the government newspaper Tishrin said Syria was heading into the talks with 8220;an open heart8221;. It said 8220;the whole world is looking for peace and for a new millennium void of wars and bloody feuds, the Arabs choose peace truthfully and with full responsibility and demand nothing but the preservation of their rights and the achievement of UNResolutions.8221; The newspaper reiterated that Syria demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from Golan Heights.

Syria has received support for its peace efforts with Israel from all quarters in the Arab world. Qatar on Saturday expressed the hope that the upcoming round of negotiations would lead to positive results that would enhance the Middle East peace process. The Syrian Foreign Minister on Saturday received a letter from his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi on the latest developments in the region and Teheran8217;s stand on various issues.