The statement of Syrian President Bashar Assad that conducting of peaceful talks with Israel in the nearest future corresponds to Damascus's policy, is a signal for more serious attitude to negotiations for Jerusalem and new American administration, experts for the Near East assume, the Jerusalem Post newspaper reported.
"I think Assad's statement means, first, a message to Israel informing his preparedness for peaceful negotiations (after elections in February), second, he attempts to explain Washington that if it will stop the isolation of Syria and will participate in these negotiations, then all these can bring result", Andrews Tebler, the colleague of the Washington Institute of the Near East policy, who is involved in issues on interaction with Syria, said.
According to him, Damascus wants to gain the respect from the United States, which will result in direct talks between Damascus and Washington. "They talk about the return of American ambassador to Syria and curtailment of its isolation, especially from the side of the States, since Damascus feels that this ruinously affects interrelations with European countries", Tebler said.
Other experts consider that Assad was tired of the Israeli authorities disposed against transfer of the Golan Heights and in actuality he attempts to influence the future Israeli elections. In addition Syria hopes to consolidate its position with elect-President Barrack Obama.
"Syria wants to show Obama that he has a partner in Damascus, prepared to negotiatiate", Gamal Abdel Gavad, the head of the International Relations Department of the Strategic and Political Research Centre, said.
According to the Galey TSAHAL radio, Israeli Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni said if Damascus wants peace it has to stop support HAMAS and Hezbollah.
"In the recent months important shifts in the foreign policy of Syria took place: indirect talks with Israel was launched, diplomatic relations with Lebanon for the first time were established, country was opened to European countries within the framework of execution of the European- Mediterranean collaboration program", Gavad said.
Nevertheless, by strategic reasons Damascus is not still prepared for a complete change in the course of its policy, especially with respect to Tehran. Syrian authorities decided to preserve their relations with Iran for "association of positions in the plan of talks with Israel and the United States", Gavad aded.
According to Eyal Ziser, Senior Research Fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Tel Aviv University, however, Syria did not change its views over the recent months. In contrary, Israel, the U.S. and European countries gave up their positions, capitulated before Assad's regime. "Why Olmert [Israeli PM] dicided to resume negotiations in may 2008? This does not have any attitude to Syria, but Damascus decided that the tome against us and we must sign the agreement," Ziser said.
According to Ziser, the recent statement by Olmert and Assad reflect common short-term interests of two leaders of the Near East. While Israeli PM seeks to preserve good memory not overshadowed by the second Lebnon war, Assad wants to gain something from resigning Olmert.
According to Ziser, Assad wants to have capability to state that he had very fruitful and positive negotiations with Olmert. "Yes, I am ready to leave from the Golan Heights. Let us continue, being repulsed from this position", Olmert said. And then this would be the great achievement of Syria.
Four rounds of Syria- Israel negotiations were carried out with the aid of Turkish mediators, although no progress on them were achieved. Negotiations were stopped in September, when Olmert declared about his resignation.