Barak divan and Geneva meeting
Syria-Israel, Politics, 3/28/2000

Sources at the divan of the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak have expressed their regret over Clinton- al-Assad summit in Geneva.

Israel's radio quoted these sources as saying on Monday that despite the failure of this summit US mediation efforts will continue between Israel and Syria.

The radio correspondent quoted high ranking political sources as saying the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak will now accelerate the process of withdrawal from South Lebanon, on the ground of UN security council resolution 425.

These sources indicated that Barak has been recently working to obtain an international backing for this attitude, and his efforts will be also intensified to reach a framework agreement for the final status with the Palestinian side until May.

Sources at the Israeli security sides said preparations continue for withdrawal from South Lebanon until July without having any links to results of Geneva summit.

The sources believe that a unilateral decision to withdraw from South Lebanon will be taken in May and may be before this date.

Israeli military sources said the shortening timetable. Makes its imperative for the Israeli army to be ready for all possibilities.

Earlier, sources at the Israeli premier's divan stated that Geneva summit has not achieved a tangible progress, but rather limited to clarifying stances.

These sources added the American side will continue in its attempts aiming at resuming the negotiations yet " this march is still long and its results can not be predicted."

The Israeli Likud bloc commented on the failure of the Geneva summit by saying President Hafez al-Assad " ridicules Barak and keeps on his tough stances whenever Barak gives more concessions."

Al-Mifdal party expressed its satisfaction over the failure of the Geneva summit, expressing its conviction that the success of this meeting will result in eliminating residential aggregations and giving up the Golan heights.

The chairman of the Shas movement Eli Bashay expressed regret for the failure of negotiations and called on Barak to continue preserving Israel's vital interests.

Previous Stories:
  Geneva summit: Presidents review developments, stress UN resolutions for a just peace in the Middle East   (3/27/2000)
  Diplomatic circles cautiously observe al-Assad - Clinton summit   (3/26/2000)
  On the Geneva summit   (3/26/2000)

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