Damascus refuses peace for security formula to revive negotiations

Syrian sources told the Lebanese daily al-Nahar that the prospects of developing relations between Syria and Turkey is linked to security conditions in the region, especially as the recent Turkish military build-up on the Northern borders of Syria cannot be isolated from the situation in the Middle East.

The sources said the coincidence between the Turkish escalation in the north and the Jordanian escalation in the South together with signing of the Palestinian - Israeli Wye Plantation agreement as well as proposing the "peace for security" formula which observers view as an outlet to revive the Syrian-Israeli track.

The sources stressed Damascus's official rejection of forming inspection committees, which the Turkish side called for during the security meeting in Adanah to monitor the implementation of the agreement signed between the two sides, because Syria "refuses any measures which undermine its sovereignty."

The sources added that during the security meeting with Turkey, Syria stressed its determination to proceed in calming down the situation with Turkey on the conviction that pending problems between the two countries can be settled through dialogue.

The sources categorically denied any Syrian provocation of Jordan, despite the strong campaign against Syria. "No article or comment had been made by any of the Syrian media, which meant concerned sides in Jordanian government and people. Thereby it is a unilateral campaign," in regard to the question of the Jordanian prisoners in Syria.

The Syrian sources said: "Arresting any citizen comes as a result of violating laws enforced in the country."