Damascus assures being not in a hurry for peace ratification

Damascus stated today that it is not hurrying to resume its negotiations with Israel, saying it believes this resumption will never be achieved unless Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government frankly announces a withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 borders.

A Syrian information official asserted that, "Any withdrawal from the Lebanese lands will not subject Syria to Israel."

Turkey Sakr, editor-in- chief of al-Baath newspaper, speaking of the ruling party said that, "The Israeli government will wait long without finding Syria getting closer to the negotiation table unless it [Israel] frankly pledges to go back to lines of June 4, 1967.