Regional News
Syrian official: Peace with Israel will create harmonious Mideast
By Haartez
Jun 18, 2008 - 1:56:35 AM

Peace between Israel and Syria will usher in a new era of prosperity and allow people to travel freely throughout the Middle East, Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faysal Mekdad told the Chicago Tribune Tuesday.

"When people can move freely between Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt, a great change will take place," Mekdad told the U.S. daily in an interview. "Our people will enjoy life without bad dreams of the martyrdom of their children, we will improve living conditions and we will open up to the international community. The impact of peace will be bliss for the entire region."

Riad Abrash, an aide to the government in Damascus, was quoted as saying that Syria would like the U.S. to participate in further talks with Israel. "We would like America to be the caretaker of the whole thing. We don't expect them to do it under this administration but we have high hopes for the next administration," Abrash said.

Mekdad also commented on Syria's relations with Iran and how they disagree with the Islamic Republic's policy calling for the destruction of Israel.

"Syria has reminded Hamas and Hezbollah that we are not like Iran. Iran believes in the destruction of Israel, while Syria believes in negotiating with Israel," he said. "In diplomacy there are things that need never be written. Nobody now will be willing to show you the end game."

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said yesterday that indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria held in Turkey over the past few days were a success, and two more sessions have been planned for July.

"The calendar has been set for the next two meetings in July," Babacan told journalists after a meeting with EU diplomats in Luxembourg.