DATE=12/9/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=SYRIA - GOLAN, PART 1 OF 3 UPDATE
NUMBER=5-44940
BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK
DATELINE=SYRIAN GOLAN
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///Eds. This is the first of a three part series on 
Syria; part 2 deals with possible successor to 
President Assad; part 3 deals with modernizing the 
Syrian economy///

INTRO:  Peace talks between Israel and Syria are set 
to resume next after nearly a four year break. Israeli 
Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister 
Farouk al-Shara will begin initial meetings in 
Washington and then move them to the Middle East. 
Negotiations stalled over the Israeli occupied Golan 
Heights. Syria wants the entire Golan returned, but 
Israel says how far it withdraws depends on the extent 
of security arrangements and normalization of 
relations with Syria. Dale Gavlak visited the Syrian 
Golan Heights recently and filed this report.

TEXT:  //ACT OF SYRIANS USING MEGAPHONES //

Akram al Halibi calls across the parched, brown valley 
to his in-laws on the Israeli-occupied side of the 
Golan, using a megaphone. He cannot cross over to meet 
them because there is no peace. The people carry on a 
playful banter asking how each other are doing.   The 
38-year-old Syrian T-V actor and his wife, who is also 
his cousin, just had a baby in Damascus.  They want to 
see and speak to their family even at a distance.

            /// AL HALIBI ACT IN ARABIC ///

Halibi says that even though there are phone 
connections, going to the Golan is the only way 
somehow to see family members.  Visiting relatives - 
in Middle Eastern tradition - is very important 
because family ties are so strong.  Halibi says, 
although a video of the baby was taken and sent, it's 
not the same thing as seeing each other, even if it 
has to be through a pair binoculars.

There are 5 Syrian villages with some 23-thousand 
inhabitants, mainly of the Druze religious sect, that 
are on the Israeli occupied Golan Heights. Frequently 
villagers from the Syrian side of the Golan marry 
people from the other side of the heights, but this is 
difficult. In such cases, the International Committee 
of the Red Cross (I-C-R-C) facilitates the half-hour 
or hour wedding ceremony in the no-man's land 
separating Syria and Israel. I-C-R-C spokesman Claude 
Voillard explains.

            /// VOILLARD ACTUALITY ///

      These are very emotional moments because this is 
      one of the very rare opportunities where people
      from both sides of the demarcation line can 
      meet each other, hug each other, kiss each other 
      and be able to talk normally to each other. 

            /// END VOILLARD ACT ///

Mr. Voillard says such wedding ceremonies take place 
twice a year. Druze pilgrims wishing to visit holy 
sites in Syria are also allowed to cross over the no-
man's land as are students who have secured a place 
and permission from both the Israelis and Syrians to 
study at Damascus University.

Eighteen-year-old Karim Mahmoud is one of 400 students 
from the occupied Golan studying in Damascus.  
Enrolled in the university facility of dentistry, 
Mahmoud said he wanted to study in Syria because it 
provides greater opportunities and is cheaper than in 
Israel.  But he misses his parents and comes to the 
border every couple of weeks with his megaphone to 
speak with them.  He says he intends to return to his 
village of Majd al Shams to work after finishing his 
studies.

            /// MAHMOUD ACTUALITY ///

      I want to go back because I want to do something 
      for my village. 

            /// END MAHMOUD ACT///

Syria currently administers 600 square kilometers of 
the strategic plateau, while Israel occupies over 
twice that amount of land. Syrian authorities claim 
Israel has constructed 43 Jewish settlements on the 
ruins of some 244 Arab villages.  Removing the 
settlers and fixing a final border will be a difficult 
challenge for the two sides to meet. Still, Syrians, 
like Golan official Mohamed Ali, is confident that 
Damascus will get the Golan back no matter how long it 
will take.

            /// ALI ACTUALITY ///

      We will liberate it sooner or later; it's our 
      land.  We will get it. 

            /// END ALI ACT ///

Even Israeli officials familiar with the situation 
seem to agree with Mr. Ali.  One official recently 
told a news agency in Jerusalem that Israel will have 
to return all of the Golan if it wants peace with 
Damascus. Syria, the official says, won't settle for 
getting back less than what Jordan or Egypt got - that 
is every bit of land in exchange for peace. (SIGNED)

NEB/DG/GE/PLM/JO




09-Dec-1999 10:13 AM EDT (09-Dec-1999 1513 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.