On Israel's withdrawal from the Golan

The chairman of Israel's Arab Democratic Darty Abdul Wahab Darawshe, who is also a former member of the Israeli Knesset, has expressed his conviction that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will carry out the Israeli withdrawal from the Lebanese territories within one year from the presentation of his government to the Knesset.

Darawshe added in a statement to the Lebanese daily al-Mustaqbil in a telephone conversation, "I am also convinced, according to direct information from Barak," that Israel's withdrawal from the Golan to the June 4 border lines will be also made, but within the two coming years.

Darawshe added that Barak told him he has reached the conclusion that peace cannot be attained with Syria and Lebanon without full and complete withdrawal from their territories. He added that Barak said that if a general referendum is held, he will get the support of the Israeli majority and their backing for implementing the withdrawal.

Darawshe denied that the question of the Golan water would obstruct withdrawal from the territory to the June 4 borderline, saying, "I think there is a possibility of eliminating obstacles pertaining to waters and the security for the sake of reaching peace with Syria and Lebanon."