Powell and the ME peace talks

News reports quoted the US secretary of state Colin Powell as saying that he has discussed with President Bashar al-Assad the possibility of holding talks between Syria and Israel coincided with the talks of the Palestinians with Israel.

Powell, who was talking on the board of the plane which took him from Damascus to Brussels on Tuesday, said he did not talk with the Israeli prime minister elect Ariel Sharon about resuming talks with Syria when they met in Jerusalem on Sunday evening.

Powell questioned why the two sides do not resume their talks if conditions are settled; adding that this matter is decided by the two sides to take a decision regarding it.