Mofaz: Dialogue with Syria is correct, but Iran support must stop

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz spoke in favor of dialogue with Syria on Thursday, but warned that its ties with Iran had to end first. "I've known about the channel for a long time. [Prime Minister Ehud Olmert] updated me on this issue and others," he told Israel Radio. "Talking to our enemies is a correct process. Every government needs to instigate processes of dialogue… It can ease pressure with Syria." But, he said, "the Syrians are deep in the regional terror. The first condition is them stopping support for Iran. They can't call for destroying Israel while they negotiate peace." Mofaz said Israel should look into leasing the Golan from Syria. Giving them the Golan now meant giving it to Iran, he said.