Moratinos: Syrian- Israeli negotiations will start soon

The European Union's Middle East peace process special envoy, Miguel Angel Moratinos, announced that serious contacts are being made with Syria. He expressed his conviction that negotiations between Syria and Israel will be resumed shortly.

Israeli Radio said that Moratinos was due to have briefed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on the talks he had last week with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara in Damascus.

Israeli Radio added that Damascus on Monday demanded that Barak submit a written pledge proving the existence of Rabin's deposit which states an Israeli commitment to withdraw to the June 4, 1967 border line.

The radio added that this was expressed in the Syrian official daily al-Baath, while commenting on what Barak had stated on Sunday concerning negotiations with Syria.