'Important development in Syria talks'
State officials refuse to speak of 'breakthrough', but talks with prime minister's associates, his diplomatic speech point to optimism following series of talks behind the scenes
It is quite possible the so-called development is Syrian President Bashar Assad's willingness to declare his desire to launch direct negotiations with Israel which would lead to an agreement on a withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which would be leased to Israel later on.
This report has yet to receive official confirmation, but estimates talk of a Syrian initiative aimed at tying US President-elect Barack Obama to the diplomatic talks between Israel and Syria.
Assad seeks to make it clear to the American government that the Syrian intentions are serious. However, despite a possible declaration, the peace talks will have to wait until after the February 10 Knesset elections.
Should the Syrian president succeeds in breaking outgoing US President George W. Bush's circle of resistance, he plans to help Syria emerge out of its international isolation.
Assad views this move as extremely important, as his country is in the midst of a deep financial crisis. He also hopes American sponsorship of the peace process will help Damascus regain its high position in the Arab world.
The Syrians believe the Obama administration will give Damascus more room for maneuvers opposite the West, compared to the hostility presented by the Bush administration.
Jerusalem officials refused to address the details which left to the prime minister's surprising visit to Ankara, less than two months before he leaves office.
Aides to Olmert claimed that the Reuters report on the six-point document submitted by the Syrians to the Turks was not what led to the breakthrough in the talks. "Those familiar with the details know there is no truth in this report," one associate said.
Arab sources have claimed that a Turkish emissary will visit Damascus to receive clarifications ahead of Olmert's visit to Ankara. Sources in Jerusalem confirmed that the prime minister's trip skips over the fifth round of talks and opens new options for progress.
Optimistic atmosphere
Although state officials refuse to use the term "breakthrough", talks with Olmert's aides and the prime minister's speech point to an optimistic atmosphere following a series of talks behind the scenes.
The sources mentioned the involvement of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who visited Damascus recently, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as intensive talks held by Jordan's King Abdullah with the Syrian president and senior Israeli officials.
Shortly before announcing his plan to travel to Ankara, Olmert said Thursday that a peace accord with Syria is "feasible" and can give Israel "substantial advantages.
Speaking at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies, Olmert added that "the Turkish-led indirect talks with Syria are pivotal; they have proven that real negotiations are doable."
Despite his reservations, sources close to the prime minister confirmed that "this is an important breakthrough which followed a stalemate of several months". This development may be related to Assad's plan to call for official talks despite Olmert's resignation and the upcoming elections.
Olmert is scheduled to visit Turkey this upcoming Monday and meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is serving as an indirect mediator in talks between Israel and Syria. Sources at the Prime Minister's Office said that Syrian officials are not expected to be in Damascus at the time of the meeting.
The two leaders spoke on the telephone three times in the past two weeks about various issues related to Israel-Syria relations.
Sources at the PM's Office made it clear that despite the Right's protests in Israel, Olmert plans to continue exerting every effort in a bid to advance the talks on the Syrian channel until he leaves office.
