DATE=6/10/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=ISRAEL / SYRIA (L) NUMBER=2-263358 BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL DATELINE=JERUSALEM CONTENT= VOICE AT: INTRO: The Israeli government is expressing sorrow for the death of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, saying it will continue to work for peace with his successor. VOA Correspondent Meredith Buel has details from Jerusalem. TEXT: A statement issued by Prime Minister Ehud Barak's office says Israel understands the grief of the Syrian people following the death of President Assad. The statement says Israel worked in the past to achieve peace with Syria, and will continue to do so in the future. The Israeli government also expressed hope that quiet will be maintained along the border with Syria and Lebanon. Israel withdrew its soldiers from southern Lebanon last month after more than 20-years of occupation. Syria has 35-thousand troops in Lebanon, and is considered the main power broker in that country. Peace talks between Israel and Syria broke down in January after Damascus demanded that Israel withdraw from the entire Golan Heights, including land along the Sea of Galilee. The Galilee is a major source of fresh water for the Jewish state. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat also released a statement expressing his condolences. Mr. Arafat declared three days of official mourning in the Palestinian-controlled territories. President Arafat sent a telegram to the Damascus government saying the Palestinian people will stand with their brothers, the Syrian people, to overcome this difficult moment. Israeli television is broadcasting footage from Syrian T-V, as commentators and officials scramble to analyze what Mr. Assad's death will mean for Israel. Cabinet minister Amnon Lipkin Shahak, a former army chief, says Syria is entering a period of instability, until a replacement is named. He says Israel and Syria will not be able to address their conflict until there is new leadership in Damascus. Public Security minister Shlomo Ben-Ami noted the biblical injunction, "rejoice not in your enemy's death." Israel television is quoting sources saying there will be no immediate change in defense measures, but that military intelligence is closely watching the situation. (Signed) NEB/MB/PT 10-Jun-2000 15:11 PM EDT (10-Jun-2000 1911 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
