Second round of talks with Syria begins in Turkey

Senior Israeli representatives are participating on Sunday in a second round of talks with Syrian counterparts through Turkish mediation.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's envoys to the ongoing negotiations - his chief of staff, Yoram Turbowitz, and senior diplomatic advisor, Shalom Turgeman – are currently in Ankara for the resumption of talks.

Olmert's office declined to comment on the report and would not confirm the meeting.

The talks resume a mere day after Syrian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Faisal al-Miqdad warned that Damascus retains several options to reclaim the Golan Heights, including options of a less-than diplomatic nature.

In an interview with Jordanian daily ‘al-Dustour,' Al-Miqdad went on to address Israeli residents of the Golan, saying “the settlers should bear in mind that we will defend our land at any time. They should know that the Golan Heights belong to us and that they should not be raising their children in the Golan, since this is not their place. They will not enjoy their lives there.

“Syria has several courses of action if Israel refuses to return the Golan – however we still support peace and are not afraid of entering peace negotiations with Israel,” said al-Miqdad.

“Syria was surprised to find that the commitments that Israel made in the past regarding the Syrian channel, were not binding,” he said.