weeks ago that Barak was growing dis-
Israel also agrees to cut back its
appointed by Syria's intransigence.
troops, but on a lesser scale.
But quickly wiping the egg off its
• Diplomatic ties. The two coun-
collective face, the Israeli political
tries agree to full normalized relations,
community is now knowingly assuring
including embassies, trade and open
itself that the resumed talks are effec-
borders.
tively a "done deal" — and that the
• U.S. aid. Both Israel and Syria
focus of the forthcoming drama will
expect massive infusions of American
not be the negotiating table, but the
economic — and in Israel's case, mili-
streets and squares of Israel's cities,
tary — aid to help cushion the effects
where a great battle for the heart of
of the agreement.
the nation will be fought.
This, in broad
According to the pop-
brush strokes, is
ular wisdom, the "done
said to be the deal.
deal" includes agreement
Even with marginal
on the following issues:
changes, it will
• The Golan Heights.
hardly affect the
Israel withdraws almost
battle lines that are
to the border with Syria
quickly shaping up
that existed before the
across Israel.
1967 Six-Day War. The
Weekend news-
"almost" refers to the sec-
paper polls found
tion of the Sea of Galilee
the opposing camps
coastline that was in
fairly evenly
Syrian hands before the
matched: Yediot
war. Barak refuses to
Achronot gave the
restore that situation,
nay-sayers a slight
insisting that all of the
advantage; Ma'ariv
Sea of Galilee remain
had Barak slightly
under Israeli control. In
For the latest news of the
ahead.
exchange, he is said to be
peace talks in Washington,
In an initial test,
offering Assad the hot
please visit
Barak barely
springs at Hamat Gader,
www.detroitjevvishnews.com
squeaked out a plu-
at the southernmost
rality in a Knesset
point of the Golan. The
vote. With 24 legis-
time frame for the withdrawal is still
lators abstaining, he won a 47-31
to be negotiated.
endorsement for the talks with Syria.
• Security guarantees. Israel main-
Three parties in his coalition withheld
tains its presence, under American or
their support: The fervently Orthodox
international auspices, at a key early
Shas Party abstained, while the settler-
warning station atop Mount Hermon,
backed National Religious Party and
located at the northern tip of the
the immigrant-rights Yisrael B'aliya
Golan. This is to be accompanied by
Party voted no.
an extensive Syrian demilitarization
In what was considered his most
on the Golan and all the way to
important speech since taking office
Damascus.
CAMPAIGN on page 14

New realities
force Assad to play
the peace card.

DOUGLAS DAVIS

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

London

S

London-based daily al-flayat,
"For the first time," he contin-
ued, "an Israeli leader is prepared to
draw Israel's final borders with the
Arab world."
Both Barak and Clinton have
their own, very different, reasons for
concluding a deal with Syria, but
the balance has shifted, and it is on
Assad that history is . pressing most
heavily and most urgently,
In the past, analysts believed that

yrian President Ha fez
Assad is a reluctant
interview subject.
So when he wants
to speak to the world he
uses proxies; the Syrian state
media to communicate with
the Arab world and British
author and confidant Patrick
Seale to communicate with
the West.
It was through Seale that
Assad warmly praised the
newly elected Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Barak earlier Syrian President Hafez Assad s
this year, signaling that after minute of silence at the 7:97n
Soldier in Moscow vn July 6
more than three years since
talks broke off, he was ready to talk
the price of peace - with
peace a.gain.
normal re ations:
,
And it was through Seale again
ambassadors,
that he sent a message last Friday,
trade ---- vas st
after President Clinton's announce-
the brilliarzt,,.,ds
ment about the resumption of talks
Damascus;
.„. .
in Washington, that "this is < an
trot
important moment in the long, and
Even
often frustrating history of Middle
mei. Prime Afc.
East peacemaking."
offered a tot
"For the first time, three leaders
from
more.:
-- Clinton, Assad and Barak — are
serious about making peace," Seale
noted, echoing Assad.'s voice in the .

.

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December
1981-
w is
ended to

October 1991 —
Israel and Syria
attend the U.S.-
brokered M
conference aim
at achieving a
compre ensi
id

4994 — As Israel
e Palestinians
regress in the
recess, Israeli-
negotiations
s,
eco*,'9 bogged down
id `Syrian dtmands
srael withdraw
e y from the
Heights as part
peace deal.

. 8, 1999
US, Secretary of
Madeleine
‘4
z z.
t holds sepa-
\*•,
eetings with
and Barak,

s.

L.

12/17

1999

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