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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/969624.html
Israel Sent 20 Peace Messages to Syria with No Encouraging Response
[Ha'aretz] Barak Ravid - Prime Minister Olmert has dispatched some 20 messages to Syrian President Assad during the past year to better assess Syria's intentions before the possible resumption of talks between the two countries, according to a senior minister in Israel's security-political cabinet. But Assad's responses did not meet Israeli expectations and Olmert believes that at this time it is not possible to initiate negotiations with Syria. Most efforts for contact with Syria were made through Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, but also through others, including U.S. congressmen and various European officials. "Each one of the envoys returned from Damascus with empty hands," the minister said. "The sense was that Assad is captive in the hands of senior figures of the Syrian regime who are opposed to talks with Israel and are not interested in breaking off the alliance with Iran."