On Syrian - Israeli negotiations

Israeli Radio said on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has appointed the chairman of the planning commission in the Israeli Army, Maj. Gen. Shlomo Yanai, as a representative of the Israeli Army in negotiations with Syria.

The radio report added that Yanai represents the Israeli Army in the current negotiations with the Palestinians.

It added that Barak has ratified the plans prepared by the Israeli Army in preparation for withdrawal from south Lebanon, according to an agreement to be reached. These plans include fortification works and setting up new sites and bases for the Israeli army along the new redeployment line. The cost of these works is estimated at one billion Israeli shekels.

Meanwhile, the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot said on Sunday, according to Israeli political sources, that Israel may withdraw from south Lebanon next April instead of July if tangible progress is attained with Syria by that time.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Hebrew-language radio quoted well informed political sources in Tel Aviv as saying that Israel will ask during negotiations with Syria that border line between the two sides to be the international borderline set in 1923.

The radio added, quoting its political correspondent, that the Israeli demand in this respect was discussed in the deliberations of the preliminary committee for the Israeli-Syrian negotiations which will be held on January 3, 2000.

The media advisor for the Israeli prime minister denied these reports. He stressed that the Israeli position concerning borders will only be set after the agreement on the nature of peace and the security arrangements.