DATE=12/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL - SYRIA TALKS (L)
NUMBER=2-257047
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Israel's Prime Minister and Syria's foreign 
minister will reopen peace negotiations in Washington 
next Wednesday.  The talks are to take up where they 
left off more than three years ago.  V-O-A's Gil 
Butler has more from the State Department.

TEXT:  These talks will start at the White House with 
President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright 
closely involved.  Special U-S Middle East coordinator 
Dennis Ross says these negotiations are expected to 
last two days.

            /// Ross Act ///

      The talks, as you know, will resume where they 
      left off.  They do represent an important step 
      now in terms of putting the whole Middle East 
      peace process back on track and putting us in a 
      position where working towards a comprehensive 
      peace is again a very realistic possibility.

            /// End Act ///

Syria wants Israel to return the Golan Heights, 
occupied during the 1967 war.  Israel wants diplomatic 
recognition from Syria and an end to attacks.  
According to Mr. Ross, both sides have security 
concerns.  He was asked if Israel and Syria are both 
ready to make compromises.

            /// Ross Act ///

      I think we have heard from both sides that they 
      know that to reach an agreement, both sides 
      needs need to be taken into account and both 
      sides have to make difficult decisions.  The 
      original phrase, the "peace of the Brave," was a 
      President Assad Phrase.  So I think when you say 
      "peace of the Brave," that implies that you are 
      making what are courageous decisions.

            /// End Act ///

Underlining the importance of these negotiations, 
Secretary Albright cancelled plans to attend 
ceremonies marking the return to Panama of the Panama 
Canal and a visit to Brussels for a NATO meeting.

Mr. Ross said Secretary Albright and President Clinton 
will be involved in the talks.

The special Middle East coordinator suggested that the 
next round of Israeli-Syrian talks might also be held 
in the United States.  Some reports had said the 
second phase of the talks would probably be in the 
Middle East. (Signed)

NEB/MGB/ENE/JP




10-Dec-1999 15:54 PM EDT (10-Dec-1999 2054 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.