[New York Sun] Eli Lake - Israel's deputy prime minister Shaul Mofaz said in an interview he believes the Golan Heights is a "strategic asset" and should not be relinquished to the Syrians, in part because of that country's close alliance with Iran. "The moment that the Golan Heights gets into the Syrians' hands, it means Iran will be in the Golan Heights. Close your eyes and think about what kind of threat that is for Israel," he said. Mofaz is in the U.S. for meetings with top Bush administration officials at the semi-annual American-Israeli strategic dialogue. Mofaz said he did not expect that Syria could be easily pried away from the Iranian orbit. "If the Syrians are serious...let's talk about all the terror activity against us," Mofaz said. "Let's send out of Damascus all of the headquarters of the Palestinian terror groups, stop support for Hizbullah. Then we will understand they mean business. To be in this radical group and to be one of its leaders and then say give us the Golan Heights is ridiculous."
2008-04-30 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive