Report: Syrian conditions for resuming negotiations with Israel
The Jordanian weekly al-Majd has said, quoting European sources, that Damascus has set four conditions to resuming negotiations with Israel, adding that these conditions were told to the European Union Middle East peace process envoy, Miguel Moratinos.
These conditions are: A clear declaration from Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak in which he recognizes Syria's sovereignty over the Golan, to be immediately followed by abrogation of the Israeli Knesset decision of 1981 annexing the Golan heights to Israel; recognizing Syria's border as they were before June 4, 1967; Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon; Israel's respect for the special relations linking Syria and Lebanon.
The Jordanian paper added, according to these sources, that Damascus has made demands from the US to resume negotiations, adding that these demands include Washington lifting Syria's name from the list of countries which sponsor terrorism, a matter which opens the way for Syria to receive Arab aid as well as investments, loans and trade with these countries.
The European sources, on the other hand added that for its part Israel asked for several conditions through the EU Middle East envoy in order to complete the peace process. These include preserving Israel's national security and guaranteeing its own existence as a recognized and sovereign state in the region and establishment of neighborly and complete natural relations between Israel and all Arab states characterized by diplomatic, trade, political representation and economic integration.
The paper added that Syria for its part, asserted four main points in the security arrangements demanded by Israel. These four points are non-violation of territorial integrity of any side at the expense of the other; refusing the establishment of the land monitoring points because these points might be used by Israel, a matter which undermines Syria's security; refusing the establishment of monitoring points on the Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh) because this will signify a symbol of the continuity of the Israeli occupation; providing the monitoring points with communications means would create a big security problem that cannot be accepted by the Syrians.
The paper added that Syria also expressed its opposition to launch "spying satellites" in the region because these satellites are able to collect information not only about Syria but also the neighboring countries, especially Iraq and Iran.