Israel may return Golan Heights to Syria

World news

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Israel and Syria are making their first attempt for more than seven years to reach a comprehensive peace which, if successful, would mean Israel giving up the Golan Heights, seized in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Both governments confirmed in closely similar terms yesterday that they were taking part in "indirect" negotiations brokered by Turkey. The office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said: "The two sides have declared their intent to conduct these... talks without prejudice and with openness."

The talks are likely to be detailed and protracted – assuming that they do not break down – and an Israeli official predicted it would be a "very long process", adding: "The direct talks have not yet started."

But the seriousness of the initiative appeared to be reinforced by the presence in Istanbul since Monday of two of Mr Olmert's closest aides, Yoram Turbovitz and Shalom Turjeman. The Syrian delegation is reportedly led by the Syrian Foreign Ministry adviser and lawyer Riad Daoudi.

Mr Olmert, whose trip to Ankara in February 2007 paved the way for the Turkish initiative, has said Israel would be willing to contemplate restoration of the Golan to Syria in return for Damascus severing its alliance with Iran and ending support for Hizbollah and for the Palestinian factions Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israeli officials said there had been contacts since early last year but they had recently become "energised".

The US has until recently indicated opposition to Israeli negotiations with Syria. But David Welch, the State Department spokesman, said Turkey had played "a good and useful role" by brokering the talks. Dana Perino, the White House press secretary, added: "We hope that this is a forum to address various concerns we all have with Syria – Syria's support of terrorism, repression of its own people, and so we will see how this progresses."

News of the talks was greeted with cynicism by some – though not all – of the rivals and critics of Mr Olmert, who is facing a fresh round of questioning tomorrow in a police investigation over past funding by a US businessman. Yuval Steinitz, a right-wing Likud member of the Knesset, said: "It is saddening to see that the Prime Minister is ready to quickly sell off the Golan to save himself from the investigation."

But Haim Oron, the new leader of the left-wing Meretz, welcomed the news and Eitan Cabel, a Labour Knesset member said: "The negotiating process is what is important and it should continue even if Olmert does not remain Prime Minister."

Even assuming some tacit US support there remain formidable obstacles to a deal. One of several key issues is whether the handover of the Golan would mean a return to the borders of 4 June 1967, as Syria has long wanted, or to the old British mandate border which would preclude Syrian territory reaching the north-eastern shore of the Galilee.

Syria's Foreign Minister, Walid Moallem, said yesterday that in advance of the negotiations, Israel promised to withdraw from the Golan Heights, to the borders drawn before the Six-Day War. Mark Regev, Mr Olmert's spokesman, would only say: "The Syrians know fully what we expect from the talks. And we know what they expect."

Some analysts suggested that the US would need to become involved in the talks for Damascus to reconsider its alliance with Iran, and that might require a change of US president.