Same Syrian conditions to resume political negotiations with Israel

The Israeli radio said on Wednesday that Syria has once again set conditions for resuming political negotiations with Israel by making such negotiations on the ground of the commitment given at that time by the Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to the Syrian side which is explained by Damascus as meaning a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Golan heights until the western bank of the Tiberies Lake.

In its Wednesday's issue, the Israeli daily Yadhout Ahronot said that President Bashar al-Assad explained this position during the meeting held on Monday with former US ambassador in Damascus Edward Djerjian.

The Israeli paper said that Djerjian informed the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon with the content of his talks with President al-Assad, noting that Damascus is annoyed because of the demands made by the US administration to close the offices of the Palestinian organizations in Damascus and to halt the Syrian support to the Hizbullah in Lebanon.