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Source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3344635,00.html
Syria Talks Would Legitimize Damascus Internationally
[Ynet News] Dore Gold - According to Israel's experience with Egypt, a stable agreement is ensured first and foremost by securing quiet between Israel and its neighbors as a precondition to substantive talks. At the time, Cairo was not home to terror organizations' headquarters, and terrorists did not cross the border in order to carry out attacks. Today, too, Israel must ensure that Syria first dismantles terror groups and training camps in its territory, thus proving both to Israel and the U.S. that it is serious in its desire to reach peace. What does Israel have to lose should it engage in talks with Syria in order to test the seriousness of its intentions? Photos from the negotiations would be used as a "kosher certificate" for Damascus in the eyes of the international community, at a time when Washington is making an effort to create a coalition that would press Syria to change its conduct towards Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinians. The writer is Israel's former UN ambassador and currently heads the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.