A senior US delegate will preside over the next round of indirect talks between Israel and Syria scheduled to take place in two weeks time, the London based newspaper al Sharq al Awsat reported Saturday. The report stated that a European official visited Israel on Friday and briefed government officials on Thursday’s four way summit in Damascus attended by leaders from France, Syria, Turkey and Qatar.
In Jerusalem and Damascus officials said they had no information regarding the report and the intended introduction of an American observer in the upcoming round of talks. Israeli government officials said Jerusalem has sought to move to direct talks but Damascus has insisted that Turksh mediation remain present for as long as there is no US participation in the meetings.
The paper quoted another source who said, "Syria does not believe that the United States, under the current regime, is interested in a peace process on the Syrian channel. The Syrians are looking to a future in which there will be a possibility to launch direct talks based on the principles we presented, and sponsored by the US, France, Turkey and any other interested elements."
Earlier in the week in an interview with French television, Syrian President Bashar Assad said that Damascus would be willing to consider involving the US in the indirect talks with Jerusalem but that such a presence will only occur after the US elections. 09/06/08
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