On the Golan
Syria-Israel, Politics, 7/3/1999

Britain's Jewish Chronicle weekly published in London on Friday said that Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights are convinced that Israel is still standing by their position in order to preserve their control of the area, even if a peace deal is signed between Israel and Syria.

The paper added that after the Israeli press recently revealed that outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret efforts to reach a deal with the Syrians, the question of the Golan has come back to the forefront once again. The paper added that Netanyahu was very close to approval of an almost complete withdrawal from the Golan and to maintaining border demarcation with the Syrians in a way that would restore the June 4, 1967 border lines.

The paper said that parts of the Golan will be disarmed, and foreign observer forces will be deployed in the disarmed areas, including US and French troops.

The paper added that if an agreement cannot be reached over the early reconnaissance station on al-Sheikh mount, diplomatic sources expect this problem will be eliminated if Syria would accept a limited Israeli presence in the Golan Heights.

The paper added that talks about peace have come back to the scene after President al-Assad and the Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak exchanged positive messages.

Previous Stories:
  On peace between Syria and Israel   (7/1/1999)
  No Syrian-Israeli negotiations have taken place, Bishara says   (7/1/1999)
  Al-Assad: Barak is strong, sincere and wants peace; Barak: Durable peace with an agreement with Syria   (6/24/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search