US sources and negotiations between Syria and Israel

Monte Carlo radio's correspondent in Washington on Monday quoted well-informed US sources about the Syrian-Israeli negotiations as saying that the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad had asked US President Bill Clinton during the telephone call made between them last week for explanations and clear commitments from Israel over its acceptance of border demarcation from the June 4, 1967 line, according to assertions given by Clinton to al-Assad before resuming the negotiations in December 1999.

The sources added that Syria did not ask for the suspension or cancellation of the next round of negotiations and that Syria is still hopeful to have the US sponsor moved to ensure the success of the coming round of talks, adding that in this respect came the telephone call made on Sunday between Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as a clear indication that convening the coming round of negotiations is linked to settling the border demarcation issue after the US cosponsor's move.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the US National Security Council at the White House, David Leavy, on Sunday expressed his hope of resuming the Syrian- Israeli negotiations in its set date on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Israeli Radio quoted the minister at the Israeli prime minister's office, Hiam Ramon, as saying that Israel will not urge Syria to resume the negotiations and that if Syria thinks that it wants more time before resuming the negotiations, "There will be no problem for Israel, which will wait until Syria will be ready."