Assad: Talks With Israel Possible With US mediation
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Speaking to Japanese-language newspaper Asahi Shimbun, Assad hailed the new US administration, adding that he wanted to hold negotiations for regional peace, and also insisted on the return of the Golan Heights.
"We need the United States to act as an arbitrator when we move from the current indirect negotiations to direct negotiations [with Israel]," he was quoted by AFP as telling the Japanese-language newspaper.
Assad warned, however, that progress of talks with Israel would "depend on the next Israeli administration."
The Syria president blasted the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and slammed former US president George W. Bush for exerting pressure on Damascus, according to Asahi Shimbun.
Nonetheless, he also expressed his readiness to make efforts for regional peace.
"Changes do not happen overnight," Assad was quoted saying. "We must first start dialogue to clarify the shared interest, which is to achieve peace.
"The Bush administration did not do that, and it only cared about the benefit of his own country."
Assad welcomed the Obama administration's decision to send envoys and US senators to Syria for meetings.
"It is important that we first begin dialogue and both take part in resolving problems," he told the newspaper. "It is not us who have changed. It is the Americans who have changed."
The Syria president emphasized that he would work to bring Hamas and Hizbullah to the table as part of the peace process
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