A well-placed source revealed here today that Syria had this week rejected a U.S. idea intended to break the impasse over the POWs and open the way to disengagement talks. The idea called for a very short time-lag–merely an hour or two–between Syria’s permitting Red Cross visits to the POWs, after having previously presented the POW list to Israel, and the opening of substantive disengage- ment talks.
The idea was intended by Washington to meet Israel’s demand for both preconditions–lists and visits–before the talks, and at the same time satisfy Syria’s insistence that the whole POW issue be taken up as part of the talks. The source said Israel, which had accepted the idea, was disappointed with Syria’s rejection which spelled virtual deadlock now in the diplomatic efforts.
The U.S. has reportedly proposed another idea whereby Israel would split its two preconditions, receiving the POW lists and then submitting to the U.S. its plan for disengagement. Only then would Syria allow the Red Cross visits. But officials here continue to maintain vigorously that Israel has rejected this idea as opening the way to Syrian blackmail, using the POWs as pressure levers. These officials insist too that Washington accepted the Israeli rejection and did not apply any pressure to force its acceptance. Syria has not made its position clear on this proposal.
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