Syria’s vice president voiced pessimism on the chances of new peace talks with Israel.
“We are not optimistic,” Farouk Shara told reporters in Damascus on Thursday. “The American president does not want peace between Israel and Syria.”
The statement followed President George W. Bush’s indication this week while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Washington that the Bush administration does not intend to mediate in any new negotiations between Israel and Syria. The remarks dismayed many in the Arab world who believe Israel must be prodded toward peace by its ally the United States.
Many Israeli political pundits say the Bush administration does not want Israeli-Syrian peace talks because they could undermine American pressure on Damascus to be more helpful in the Iraq war.
In contrast to Shara’s statement, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moalled said Thursday his country is “more than ready” for rapprochement with the Jewish state. “If the Israelis decide to renew the negotiations, they will find a willing partner,” he said.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
