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Source: http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/yossi_melman/2008/11/missing_from_talks_sincerity.html
Syria Not Interested in Real Peace Agreement with Israel
[Washington Post] Yossi Melman - The Turkish-sponsored indirect talks between Israel and Syria have not changed the regional status. The Syrian government is interested in having the Golan Heights back but not in signing a real peace with Israel. Syrian presidents Hafez and Bashar Assad were not and are not ready to establish full diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. They won't agree to demilitarize the Golan Heights, to address Israeli security needs and fears, or to allow deployment of early warning intelligence posts on their soil, manned by either Israeli or international observers. A peace accord with Israel would force Syria to expel all Palestinian terrorist organizations which have headquarters in Damascus and minimize its relations with Iran. Since Syria perceives its relations with Tehran as a strategic alliance, its leadership doubts whether a peace treaty with Israel is worth it.