Knesset member Bishara's meeting with President al-Assad

Al-Ayam newspaper issued in the occupied Arab territories published on Monday the interview issued by the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot on December 6 with Israeli Knesset member Azmi Bishara on his visit to Damascus and meeting with Syrian officials, especially with President Hafez al-Assad.

The paper said that Bishara arrived from Damascus with full confidence that negotiations with Syria will resume in winter, that the Syrians do not trust the Israeli leadership and that Syrian sovereignty over the Golan is unquestionable.

Bishara added, "Netanyahu's call on the Syrians to hold negotiations without preconditions came exactly when I was in Damascus. President al-Assad viewed this call as not serious and described Rabin as a serious leader."

He noted the continued tremendous and unceasing policy between Israel and Syria. "There are all the time the channel of the EU mediator Moratinos, the US channel and businessmen coming in or going out." He added, "Concerning the Syrians the starting point for negotiations is clear. It is to recognize Syrian sovereignty on the Golan. A point which cannot be surpassed."

Bishara said it is not clear for President al-Assad where the leadership of the duo of Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Netanyahu will lead Israel. "When we talked about the possibility of confrontation in the north [of Israel], President al-Assad told me the Israelis attacked [Lebanon in 1982] and where their attack will lead this time."

Bishara added that President al-Assad said, "It is possible to live peacefully with Israel on the ground of historical justice. The Syrian formula has not changed. It is full withdrawal for complete peace."

He added that the Syrians stressed that, "Israelis should not think at any time that Israel can act toward Syria as a regional greater state acts toward a country from the third world."

Bishara added that President al-Assad said he is interested if there is in Israel a political trend which is ready to hand over the whole Golan for peace. Bishara added that he said "yes," and the President replied, "I am telling you if Israel agrees to withdraw from the whole Golan negotiations between it and Damascus will not be that long."

Bishara said, replying to a question on whether he talked to President al-Assad on the Lebanese issue: "President al-Assad thinks that Israel had got itself involved in Lebanon and it is paying a heavy price for that." He added that President al-Assad views activities of the Hizbullah Party as a legal resistance to occupation." Bishara continued, "To my understanding the Syrians do not fear a military confrontation with Israel."

Bishara was asked about his impressions of the character of President al-Assad, he said that al-Assad "is skilled in the art of listening, very quiet, his nerves are of steel. History is his favorite subject. I found myself involved in talking with him about the Zionist history."