Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Photo: AFP
Syrian President Bashar Assad
Photo: Reuters
Olmert: I want peace, Syria doesn’t
American senators, Israeli prime minister meet, discuss Iranian nuclear issue, peace talks with Syria
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met
Monday afternoon with an envoy of senior American senators.
During the meeting he said, “I am interested in peace with Syria, but the current regime in Damascus is not interested in peace negotiations. It continues to support extremists in Lebanon, Iraq, and terror sources in Damascus, and continues to act as Iran’s primary ally.”
Allegiance
Prime minister tells cabinet Israel should refrain from talks with Syria at this point in time, as not to go against the United States' stance regarding Damascus
The envoy included Senators John McCain (Arizona), Joe Lieberman (Connecticut), Susan Collins (Maine), and John Thune (North Dakota). House of Representatives member Mark Kirk (Illinois) also arrived with the envoy.
The senators told Olmert about their impressions following their trips to Afghanistan and Iraq in preparation for the difficult decisions that the United States would face regarding the presence of the powers in the region.
They commented on the Baker-Hamilton report and emphasized that they believed that although it was a report which brought on a wide political debate, it would not lead to a change in US policies. It was for that reason that the senators estimated a continued resistance to negotiations with Iran and Syria.
‘Syria, the only one hosting Mashaal’
The Prime Minister described the situation regarding talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as his efforts to advance open negotiations between moderates in the PA and Israel.
He reported a slow progress in contacts with Palestinians, and he also reported his intention to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in order to advance the different issues on the agenda. Olmert also pointed out that despite continued Qassam fire, Israel was honoring the ceasefire.
The Iranian issue also came up during the meeting. Full agreement was expressed in condemning the Iranian regime, which openly calls for the destruction of Israel, and is attempting to obtain nuclear means.
Olmert emphasized that sanctions on Iran were of great importance and that US efforts contributed to the prevention of Iran’s obtaining technology for nuclear power.
Regarding Syria, the Senate members expressed their objection to negotiations with Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. The prime minister repeated his wish for peace with Syria, but clarified that the current regime in Damascus was not interested in peace talks.
Olmert also pointed out that Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal was currently in Damascus and that no other place in the region was willing to grant him sponsorship.
