Israeli official admits Syrian-Israeli peace agreement in August 1993
Syria-Israel, Politics, 9/1/1998

Israeli army radio yesterday made the following interview with a reserve Israeli general and former chief of the Israeli intelligence. It stated that Israel and Syria were about to reach a bilateral peace agreement in August 1993 which would have provided for Israel's withdrawal from the Golan Heights, peace with diplomatic relations, security arrangements and normalization of relations.

"I think Syria and Israel were about to complete a very important accord under the government of Yitzhak Rabin, an unprecedented agreement between the two countries. This agreement of the year 1993 was about to be implemented more than what was probable regarding the results of negotiations of 1995" he added.

"I personally took part in a meeting with the Syrians. It included the ambassador, Walid al-Muallim, on the Syrian side. The American side was represented by James Baker, Edward Djerian and Martin Indyk. This was a few months ago at Baker institute in Houston. Discussions were of great depth and important and the participants lacked only to have been authorized to take decisions," Saghi went on, saying, "After I came from the States I met with the Prime Minister and briefed him on the results of the talks held with the Syrians at the Baker Institute. I think the Syrians are now concerned and completely ready to conclude with us an agreement, exactly the same as were during the past years and with the same well-known difficult conditions. which needs a big political price."

Replying to a question on whether he recommends Netanyahu to turn his back on the Palestinians regarding the current situation and the stumbled negotiations with this side and then to say to the Syrians, "Hey, come and let's have an agreement." Saghi added, "I think the back should not be turned to the Palestinians. I think Netanyahu has a clear vision concerning Syria. But I also think there is a big difference between theory and practice."

Replying to another question on whether Netanyahu wants to have a peace accord with Syria, yet he is not able to do that, Saghi added, "I know the reality in this respect. But I do not want to say what I know. But I would rather say the Israeli government, with its current structure is immature and not ready to achieve an accord with the Syrians. I think I understand well the ideological motive which pushes Netanyahu. But I do not want to go far, because I think that Netanyahu understands exactly what I have written in my book I issued in this respect."

Previous Stories:
  Mordechai calls for peace accord with Syria   (8/19/1998)
  Syria and Israel almost resumed their talks, Israeli paper says   (7/27/1998)
  Syria: Knesset's decision considered an announcement of war   (7/25/1998)

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