Barak and the Syrian track

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement to French TV channel 11 that the chance should be available to make peace between Syria and Israel out of fears that such a chance will not be available during the next decade.

Israel Radio said that Barak's statements were made on the eve of Barak's current visit to France, during which he will meet with French President Jacques Chirac and discuss with him, in particular, the possibility of resuming peace talks with Syria.

On the other hand, a high-ranking source close to Barak said the US is playing a key mediation role concerning resuming negotiations with Syria and that that the European states are not taking part in the mediation efforts.

The source expressed its conviction that France tries to interfere in order to increase its influence with the Syrian side.