Al-Assad informs Clinton: No negotiations before pledging to withdraw

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Thursday reiterated his intention to abide by reaching a peace with Israel, noting a need to exerting efforts for this purpose. This was expressed in a message al-Assad sent to US President Bill Clinton.

An official at the White House said that al-Assad wants the US to take part in the negotiation process. He added that the peace process is continuous and that Clinton stressed that, "Washington will keep close contacts."

Menahile, President al-Assad sent a message which the White House received on Wednesday in reply to a message Clinton addressed to al-Assad following his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Washington.

The American sources said that al-Assad stressed the need for Israel to honor its previous obligations in returning the whole of the Golan, stressing that Syria will not resume the negotiations if Israel does not recognize these obligations.

The spokesman for the White House, Joe Lockhart, said that Clinton is "pleased" with al-Assad's reply, but he refused to disclose the content of the message.