Report: Syria to cancel prohibition on recognizing Israel

[Gimel]

Syria is planning on erasing a clause from its national convention which forbids recognition of Israel, the Al-Watan newspaper published in the Gulf state of Oman reported Tuesday.

The convention, which explicitly forbids recognition, negotiations and peace with Israel, reflects Arab policy toward Israel established during the 1970's. According to Al-Watan, the convention will be changed and will instead call for the implementation of United Nations and Security Council resolutions in order to reach a just peace in the Middle East.

According to the paper, Syrian Vice Presidents Abd el Halim Khaddam will resign his post in the coming months. Khaddam, 72, accompanied President Hafez Assad for many years and helped President Bashar Assad in the first stages of his terms.

The national convention is a document which states the policy of the Progressive National Front, a body which incorporates eight Syrian political parties, led by the ruling Ba'ath Party.

continued here...

As recognition of Israel is against the constitution of Syria, there has been a state of war for all of Israel's existence. Syria has occupied Lebanon, which refuses to recognize Israel's borders. These are the facts in the relationships. While Arafat has claimed to recognize Israel, it is only expediency.

[drdon326]

1. Some recognition by The Weasel.....

One,yes one, begruding letter and we're all supposed to
give him (another)Nobel prize ??

Ohhh....but let us not forget that they changed the plo
constitution... yet no one can seem to find any proof of
that.

[Gimel]

2. I was wondering about that also

I think, however, at the time of that the Palestinian Parliament was established, they were supposed to to this right away. Arafat said it was too complicated to change it, but they had to satisfy Israel and it was done, sort of. Without it, the meeting between PM Abba and Sharon would never have happened. As it was, Arafat complained about that. He objected to the handshake and standing in view of an Israeli flag.