Syrian FM: No secret talks held with Israel
Syria-Regional, Politics, 6/2/1999

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud met on Tuesday with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa at the Lebanese presidential place in Baabda.

In statements to reporters following the meeting, the Syrian foreign minister said "I convey a message from President Hafez al-Assad to his brother Emil Lahoud." Al-Sharaa added that during the meeting views were exchanged as well as consultations on several topics of concern to the two countries.

In reply to a question on the future of the Middle East peace process, the Syrian FM said, "It is difficult to tell about the future of the region's peace process. We have to wait for the formation of the new Israeli government and in light of that we can judge the extent of its readiness to resume negotiations from the point they were broke off and to abide by what has been reached."

Replying to another question on what has reports about a five-member summit and the possibility of uniting Arab ranks in the coming phase, al-Sharaa said, "Generally speaking an Arab summit is needed," adding that a five-member summit would have a limited objective and "such a limited objective needs common ground and I do think that there is no common ground since the Oslo agreement until now."

On a question on what is currently taking place in south Lebanon, especially the withdrawal of the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia from Jezzine, al-Sharaa said: "It is natural to maintain coordination between the leaders of the two countries in the framework of the treaty of fraternity, coordination and cooperation between Syria and Lebanon. I heard from President Lahoud about all events relating to Jezzine and the possible withdrawal of the so-called South Lebanon Army from this region, and I am very pleased, especially in regard to what the people of Jezzine, in particular, will feel because they have cast off the occupation nightmare, as admitted by Lahd himself. Therefore, we were pleased about what we heard from the Lebanese president and premier."

Al-Sharaa added that cooperation between Syria and Lebanon is deep and continuous, saying that the SLA withdrawal from Jezzine, would not affect the position of the Lebanese resistance and its positive role in liberating south Lebanon, or "our common inclination as Syrians and Lebanese towards cohesion between the two tracks and Israel's full withdrawal from south Lebanon and the Golan."

Replying to a question about the Middle East peace process getting into a new phase, al-Sharaa said, "Doubtless there is a new phase, but really this phase has only just started and we have to be cautious towards the withdrawal from Jezzine so as to not to give the Israelis too much credit for what is only part of a larger picture. We must be careful of our attitude to the new Israeli government concerning the peace process."

Al-Sharaa continued that peace requirements are clear as well as basics, the Madrid terms of reference, UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425, calling complete unconditional withdrawal from South Lebanon and the Golan back to the June 4, 1967 border lines.

Replying to a question on what has been said by Netanyahu on secret negotiations he held with Damascus on withdrawal from the Golan, the FM said, " Firstly can we call talks held by the EU Middle East peace process envoy with us or others in the region as secret negotiations? Obviously no." The Syrian FM added that Omani Foreign Minister Youssef Bin Alawi had himself denied any such secret negotiations, adding such meetings had never happened and Syrian and Israeli negotiators did not meet at any time or place during the past three years.

He added the only meetings were held within the framework of Madrid terms of reference and the peace process in Washington, as it is very well-known, before Netanyahu assumed power.

Al-Sharaa continued that Netanyahu said that he could have secret negotiations with Syria with no set preconditions, noting, "These claims by Netanyahu are groundless, and the heart of the matter is that the EU Middle East special envoy Moratinos told us in some of his visits that Netanyahu's government is ready to withdraw from Lebanon but it cannot declare that because Netanyahu entered the previous government on the grounds of not maintaining withdrawal, therefore how can he show Syria a stand that backs withdrawal from the Golan?"

The Syrian FM continued that Netanyahu also said his government is ready to assert this commitment through negotiations between Syria and Israel, "a matter which we have refused."

Later in the day, the Syrian FM concluded a one-day visit to Beirut and returned to Damascus.

Previous Stories:
  Saudi crown prince to discusses peace process in Damascus tomorrow   (6/1/1999)
  Moussa meets with al-Assad, al-Sharaa in Syria   (5/29/1999)
  US president pledges to support al-Assad in resuming negotiations   (5/29/1999)

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