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
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
