Syrian FM says Peres's call to start direct talks with Jerusalem was "putting the cart before the horse."
By JPOST.COM STAFFPeres 224.88(photo credit: AP)
Israel is uninterested in attaining real peace, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awasat on Wednesday morning. The Syrian official was also quoted by the paper as saying that it was impossible to control the border between his country and Lebanon.
Asked how he felt about President Shimon Peres's latest remarks calling on Syrian President Bashar Assad to follow in the path of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and enter direct negotiations with Israel, Moallem replied that it was a sign that Jerusalem was uninterested in attaining a real peace. He likened the Israeli president's comments to "putting the cart before the horse."
Moallem told the paper that it would be impossible "to control the common border" between Syria and Lebanon, saying that such a move would require its demarcation as well as a security agreement between the two countries. Despite admitting to the continued smuggling of arms "to and from Lebanon," Moallem held that Hizbullah was not in need of these weapons.
Last week, the Syrian foreign minister met with US Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice in what may be a sign that the recent hardline American position towards the Middle Eastern country is softening. Moallem also met with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch on Monday, to discuss various issues concerning the region, the Wall Street Journal reported.
During that interview, Moallem went into detail about Syria's position on the indirect negotiations with Israel, and on how such talks would affect the close relationship Damascus has with Teheran.
"We had four rounds of talks, promising talks, in Istanbul. We agreed to have the fifth round... But because of the situation in Israel, the Israeli side asked the Turks to postpone it," he said. "We are waiting to see what the position of Ms. Livni's government will be."
"So are they ready to resume or not?" the Syrian foreign minister asked. "The most important thing is whether or not to continue, but to have the will, the political will, to achieve peace based on the Madrid terms of reference and land-for-peace."
"Peace between Israel and Syria is part of a comprehensive peace involving the Lebanese, the Palestinians, and Israel also," Moallem said. "If we reach this point, it will have strategic implications for the entire Middle East. Whether we accept it or not, Iran is an important player in the region. And Iran always supported Syria's right to liberate the Golan Heights and the Palestinian people's rights."
"If we achieve this through peaceful means, I don't see the Iranians opposed," he concluded.
According to the report, Rice and Moallem held brief talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Moallem then had a more detailed meeting with Welch a few days later.
"[Rice] expressed her satisfaction with the situation moving forward in Lebanon, also about the indirect talks between Syria and Israel," the Syrian foreign minister told the paper in an interview on Monday. "She said they support these talks and they are ready to assist.
"I consider this a good progress in the American position," he added. "We agreed to continue this dialogue."
However, a State Department official downplayed the meetings, telling the paper that they did not represent a shift in American policy, but rather were an opportunity for the United States to share its grievances with Syria over its human rights violations and its ties with Hizbullah and Iran, as well to voice concern over other issues.
"The international community still awaits a credible demonstration of Syria's willingness to renounce their sponsorship of terrorism," the Wall Street Journal quoted the official as saying.
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