OLMERT AGREED TO CEDE GOLAN HEIGHTS

ASSAD: OLMERT AGREED TO CEDE GOLAN, DEAL WAS WITHIN GRASP
by Gil Ronen

Syria and Israel were within “touching distance” of securing a diplomatic deal in December 2008, but Operation ‘Cast Lead’ prevented this from happening, Syrian President Bashar Assad told the Italian daily, La Repubblica. According to the Syrian strongman, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to withdraw from the entire Golan Heights, in talks brokered by Turkey.

Assad does not believe that a new government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu will be as forthcoming as Olmert’s was. "I see the finish line moving further away," Assad said. "I am not concerned about Netanyahu, but about the fact that Israel voted for a rightist government. This is the biggest hurdle to peace."

In the interview which appeared on Wednesday, Assad claimed that Olmert indicated to Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan that he was willing to hand over the entire Golan to Syria, and all that remained to negotiate was the precise route of the future border between the countries.

Olmert then took a break from the negotiations in order to consult with his government, according to Assad’s version of events. However, Israel’s Operation ‘Cast Lead’ spoiled the deal. “Turkey became exasperated with Israel because it felt duped [because of the war],” Assad stated.

Assad also said he hoped to meet President Barack Obama and offered his skills as a mediator between the West and Iran. Assad spoke favorably about the idea of meeting with Obama, but added: “I'm not looking for a photo opportunity. I want to see him, to talk."

 
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