Peres: I assured to President Clinton my commitment to Rabin's written and oral obligations towards Syria

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shemon Peres said that when he was in office he assured US President Bill Clinton of his adherence to the obligations taken by Yitzhak Rabin whether they are written or verbal.

In an article issued in the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily, Peres said when "I replaced Yitzhak Rabin, US President Bill Clinton asked me if I will fulfill the obligations committed to by Rabin to the Syrians and I replied, 'I will fulfill all of them, either documents or oral.'"

Peres added, "In my reply to the US president I had concentrated on the importance of making efforts to convert the agreement with Syria into a comprehensive peace agreement. This message was conveyed to the Syrian leadership, and I learnt the Syrian response to it was positive."

Peres hinted that painful events will impede the way before reaching a final agreement between Israel and Syria, but he said, "I am confident that all these matters can be settled."

He stressed that the second day after signing a peace agreement with Syria will witness the birth of a new Middle East. He commented, "Peace with Syria means peace with all countries of the region."