Arabic News Weekly Edition for Syria, 12/13/1999
Weekly Edition, Syria - Week of December 13, 1999
- Al-Sharaa briefs Arab envoys in Washington on Middle East developments Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/18/1999
- Report: Presidents Assad, Mubarak to convene a summit
The Egyptian magazine al-Ihram al-Arabi has reported that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad may hold a summit meeting before the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Cairo to agree on the mechanism to coordinate their stances in the framework of Arab-Israeli negotiations. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/18/1999 - How do Israelis view Washington's negotiations?
The Israeli ambassador in Washington, Zalman Shoufal, said on Friday that Israel's objective in this phase is to meet with Syria. "This objective was fulfilled," he said. Syria, Politics, 12/18/1999 - Report: US economic promises for Syria
The London-based al-Hayat daily said in its Friday issue that sources close to the negotiations on the Syrian track described the negotiations as serious and said the negotiators and the US broker discussed fundamental issues such as withdrawal, security arrangements, the nature of peace and timing, all in their main headlines with the objective of defining the meaning of resuming negotiations from where they left off. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/18/1999 - Israelis see 'peace accord,' opinion poll says
The results of an Israeli opinion poll published on Friday showed that 75% of Israelis believe that negotiations with Syria would end with signing a peace agreement. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/18/1999 - Report: Steps of Syrian-Israeli negotiations
The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am quoted Israeli sources among the aides of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as saying that Washington's talks between the Israeli and Syrian sides will not discuss maps, but the mechanism of talks. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1999 - Despite barriers and occupation, two more Syrian brides went into the Golan Syria, Local, 12/17/1999
- New tone in Syrian-Israeli negotiations
Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy said on Thursday that the atmospheres of talks between the Syrian and Israeli negotiating delegation in Washington has changed from what it had been before, as direct and personal talks were held on Wednesday. "The ice used to be prevailed in the past has been melted, and new negotiations have started." Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1999 - Israeli official expresses confidence that agreement with Syria will be good
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Efraim Sneh expressed his confidence that the agreement with Syria that will be raised before people in Israel will be a good agreement that provides peace and security. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1999 - Syrian-Israeli negotiations to start January 3
US President Bill Clinton received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Thursday at the White House and asked him to convey a message to Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/17/1999 - Syrian source stresses realization of progress in first day of negotiations
A Syrian source close to the Syrian- Israeli peace negotiations in Washington stressed on Thursday that the first day of negotiations witnessed a progress in the issues of conflict. He described the negotiations as very serious. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/17/1999 - Khaled Mashaal heads to Damascus for 'private' visit
A source close to the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement in Doha said that the chairman of the movement's political bureau, Khaled Mashaal, left Qatar on Thursday for Damascus for a private visit to Syria. Syria-Qatar, Politics, 12/17/1999 - Azmi Bishara's visit to Damascus
An Arab parliamentarian from the Israeli Knesset, Azmi Bishara, has asserted that Syrian negotiators led by Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa carry with them a decision from the Syrian leadership to provide success for the negotiations with Israel, describing feelings in circles of the Syrian leadership as "cautious optimism." Syria, Politics, 12/16/1999 - On the resumption of Syrian-Israeli peace talks
A high-ranking US official said on Tuesday that Israel and Syria had held numerous talks in the recent months and are resuming their talks for the sake of peace in Washington at a certain rate of confidence to reach an agreement. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/16/1999 - President Clinton opens Syrian - Israeli negotiations opened in Washington
US President Bill Clinton on Wednesday opened at the White House the Syrian- Israeli peace talks in the presence of Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa’ Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and members of the two delegations. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/16/1999 - AL, EU voice support for Syrian-Israeli negotiations
The Arab League and European Union reiterated all-out backing for the resumption of Syrian-Israeli peace negotiations. Syria-European Union, Politics, 12/16/1999 - Clinton announce negotiations are off to a good start Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/16/1999
- Syrian - Israeli talks kick off in Washington
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa said today in a welcoming ceremony at the White House before the beginning of peace talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak that "Peace for Syria means the return of all its occupied lands," adding that such a peace will be based on justice and international legitimacy. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/15/1999 - Moussa: Syria will not obstruct the Palestinian track Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/15/1999
- Syrian agronomists undergo training in Morocco
A team of 21 Syrian agronomists are undergoing a training session in Morocco on the topic of communication in the rural world. Morocco-Syria, Economics, 12/15/1999 - Seven issues in meeting between al-Sharaa and Barak
Presumably, the Israeli-Syrian talks which will start today in Washington will lead to settling several disputes in order to reach peace. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has recently set seven files that should be negotiated upon with Damascus. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1999 - Report: Forthcoming Syrian-Egyptian summit Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/15/1999
- Syrian citizens in the Golan observe 18th anniversary of annexation
The Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights on Tuesday carried out a general strike on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the announcement of Israel of annexing the Syrian Golan Heights on December 14, 1981. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1999 - King Fahd voices backing for Syria Saudi Arabia-Syria, Politics, 12/15/1999
- Damascus asserts importance of sincere intentions in Washington talks today Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1999
- Costs of Israel's withdrawal from the Golan Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/15/1999
- Israeli Arabs and the referendum over the Golan
The chairman of the Israeli Likud Party, Ariel Sharon, said on Tuesday that the Arab citizens in Israel are citizens in the state of Israel, and they cannot be prevented from taking part in the voting which will be held over any agreement with Syria on withdrawal from the Golan. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/15/1999 - On the Syrian-Israeli peace negotiations
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa left Damascus on Monday afternoon for Washington, which he will reach this afternoon after he spent the night in London. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999 - Israeli minister opposes withdrawal from the Golan
The Israeli minister of the infrastructure and member of the Shas movement, Eliyahu Suissa, has expressed his opposition to withdrawing from the whole of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, saying that he does not agree to returning to what he called the line of rocks or the Tabaraya lake, despite his understanding of the need to give certain regional concessions. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999 - Syrian delegation to Washington
The BBC's correspondent in Damascus reported that well-informed sources said the delegation which will be led by Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa to Washington for talks this week with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will include Lt. Gen. Youssef Shakour as a political advisor; Siba Nasser, the director of the Europe department at the Foreign Ministry; Riyadh al-Dawoudi, legal advisor at the Foreign Ministry; and several technicians. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999 - Simple majority for Barak in Knesset allows him to negotiate with Syria
Israel Prime Minister Ehud Barak won a simple majority in the Israeli Knesset last night that allows him to negotiate with Syria. This came after a speech delivered by Barak in which he warned that not holding negotiations with Syria will result in the shedding of more blood. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999 - Albright describes resumption of peace talks as historic
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that the resumption of peace talks on the Syrian- Israeli track on Wednesday in Washington would be a historic opportunity for peace in the region. Syria-USA, Politics, 12/14/1999 - Number of Israelis opposing withdrawal from the Golan increasing
An opinion poll published on Monday by the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot found that the number of Israelis who oppose withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan against establishing peace with Syria has increased in recent days and greatly surpassed the rate of supporters for such a withdrawal. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999 - Cyprus ready to host peace talks between Syria and Israel Syria-Israel-Cyprus, Politics, 12/14/1999
- Egyptian committee for solidarity welcomes resumption of talks on Syrian track Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/14/1999
- Turkey welcomes resumption of Israeli - Syrian negotiations Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999
- $18 billion cost of Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/14/1999
- Al-Assad receives messages from Mubarak, Yeltsin
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Sunday received Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and members of the accompanying delegation at the Damascus al-Shaab presidential palace. Syria-Regional, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Report by Mubarak concerns Syrian stance in peace negotiations
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received a detailed report from Foreign Minister Amr Moussa concerning Moussa's talks with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa. Egypt-Syria, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Al-Sharaa expects peace agreement with Israel within a few months
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and his Egyptian counterpart ,Amr Moussa, on Sunday replied to questions asked by reporters following talks held earlier in the day on the premises of the Foreign Ministry in Damascus. Syria, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Demonstrations by Israeli settlers in the Golan Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/13/1999
- Israeli Knesset member backs withdrawal from the Golan
Israeli Knesset member Saleh Tarif (an Arab) said that the Israeli opposition blocs are making political maneuvers about the peace process with Syria and that they are opposing peace, as if the Golan is part of Israel and is not occupied. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Syria for continuing peace negotiations with Israel in Washington
Diplomatic sources told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the Syrians asked for the continuation of the peace negotiations in Washington following the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Wednesday and Thursday in Washington. Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Syrian citizens in the Golan eager to return home
The Syrian people in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights have expressed their great hope to return very soon to the homeland, Syria, and for the elimination of the Israeli occupation. Syria, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Report: Israel has been ready to withdraw from the Golan for years
In its Sunday issue, the Israeli daily the Jerusalem Post said that Israel, for years, has been ready to give up almost the whole of the Golan against a comprehensive peace agreement with Syria. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Report: Syrian prisoner Yasser al-Mu'zin returns to Syria
Following more than ten years in Israeli jails and detention camps, freed Syrian prisoner Yasser al-Mu'azen arrived in Damascus on Sunday night. He was welcomed by his family and a large number of citizens and Syrian Parliament member Mudhat al-Saleh. Syria, Politics, 12/13/1999 - EU's Helsinki summit welcomes resumption of Syrian-Israeli talks
In its final statement, the Helsinki summit of the European Union welcomed on Saturday the resumption of negotiations between Syria and Israel, and described the decision as brave. Syria-Israel-European Union, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Syrian PNF meets on latest Middle East peace developments
Chaired by Syrian Vice-President Muhammad Zuheir Masharaqa, who is also the deputy chairman of the Progressive National Front, the PNF's central command, has held a meeting. Syria, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Peres expects ratification of peace with Syria within a year
Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres expressed his confidence in reaching a peace agreement between Israel and Syria during the coming 12 months. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/13/1999 - Report: How a printing machine coproduced with Israel entered Syria Syria, Economics, 12/13/1999