Israeli intelligence and a new map for the Golan

The Israeli daily Haaretz said on Tuesday that the Israeli military intelligence has drawn a map for the line which used to separate the Israeli and Syrian forces on June 4, 1967 in the Golan, on the eve of the eruption of war between the two countries.

Haaretz added that this map which was considered as secret was drawn at the order of the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and in line with aerial pictures and testimonies, noting that the said documents was also shown to a very limited number of officials.

Haaretz quoted Israeli army officers as questioning on the reason behind Barak's decision to draw such a map. They also questioned whether this is a sign that Barak will, in the ultimate end, accept the Syrian demands.

However, the already available maps only show bases for the Israeli army along the northern borders and the arm free zones according to the cease- fire agreement signed between the two sides in 1949.

Syria, however, calls for Israel's withdrawal from the Golan until June 4, 1967 border line, and since Israel refuses to recognize this line as a border there is, eventually no map for it.