Turkey mediate Syria, Israel peace talks

by Barry Artiste | May 21, 2008 at 06:53 pm | 67 views | add comment

Israeli Troops guyarding the Syrian Border may come to an end

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Certainly a step in the right direction where Turkey long considered a buffer and ally of Western Nations is to mediate Peace talks with long time foes Syria and Israel.

One can only hope this is a first step in resolving conflict in the middle east and other middle eastern countries may one day follow suit, as Egypt had done two decades ago making peace with Israel.

If the peace talks are successful, Turkeys place for consideration as a member of the European Nation is assured.

JERUSALEM -- Israel and Syria said on Wednesday they had begun indirect peace talks mediated by Turkey, the first confirmation of negotiations between the long-time enemies in eight years.

In coordinated statements, Israel and Syria said they had begun an open dialogue with the aim of a comprehensive peace. Turkey said delegations of both countries, officially at war since Israel's creation 60 years ago, were already in Istanbul.

The United States said it did "not object" but repeated its criticism of Syria's "support of terrorism" -- a reminder for many analysts that U.S. hostility to Damascus, and to its Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah allies, makes a Syria-Israel deal unlikely before President George W. Bush steps down in January.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who revealed the talks two days before he faces a police interrogation over graft allegations, said the process would be long, complex and could end in "difficult concessions" for Israel -- an apparent reference to his willingness to hand back the Golan Heights